Extension > Family > Farm to School > Minnesota Toolkit for School Foodservice > Sourcing Food > Sourcing Garlic
Sourcing Garlic
Finding Local Food
- Local Foods Partnership online searchable database through the University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships. It includes a wide range of food products from farmers mostly in northwest, western, and central Minnesota.
- The Minnesota Grown wholesale database lists Minnesota farmers interested in selling their products to schools. You can search online by product type and by region.
- The Land Stewardship Project has a Farm Directory for schools looking to purchase sustainably raised foods.
- Food Alliance Midwest is a national organization that certifies farmers who follow sustainable farming practices. Contact Bob Olson, the director of Food Alliance Midwest, for assistance in finding farmers: 651-265-3682
- Pride of the Prairie farmers have experience in selling to retail food buyers. For assistance in finding farmers, contact Terry VanDerPol: 320-269-2105.
Fresh garlic generally begins to be available in July and August in Minnesota. Garlic stores very well, so may be available year-round.
Regulations on Buying Garlic Directly from Farmers
Minnesota state laws permit retail establishments and food services to purchase raw, unprocessed fruits and vegetables from any farmer who is selling the produce of his or her own farm.
Best Time to Buy
Buy your year's supply of garlic in August or September, when fresh garlic is widely available. Garlic bulbs store very well in cool and dry conditions, so you can purchase it in quantity in late summer when availability is high and prices are good.
Food Buying Guide Specifications
Reference: Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Food As Purchased (How the Product Can Be Purchased) |
Purchase Unit (How You Should Order the Product) |
Servings per Purchase Unit (How Many Servings You Will Get Per Purchase Unit) |
Serving Size per Meal Contribution (For Each Meal Component Category) |
Amount Needed to Buy of the Purchase Units for 100 Servings |
Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Garlic, Minced Fresh |
Ounce
Pound |
2.6
42.0 |
1 tablespoon garlic 1 tablespoon garlic |
—
— |
¼ teaspoon dry = 2 cloves fresh, minced garlic 1 ounce or 6 large cloves = 3 tablespoons fresh, minced garlic |
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