California Schools Scale Up Organic Purchasing to Benefit Farmers and Student Health  

School purchases through USDA’s Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program provide critical markets for organic growers

SACRAMENTO — Amigos de la Tierra today released nuevos datos showing record-breaking growth in organic purchases by California schools through USDA’s Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (DoD Fresh).

In response to rising demand from school districts—facilitated by Friends of the Earth and key partners—this vital program has grown from cero organic options in 2020 to nearly $6 million in organic produce sales by the end of the last school year. The expansion is benefiting dozens of farmers, millions of students, and 466 school districts statewide. 

In Fall 2021, California’s DoD Fresh Program began offering organic produce for the first time, an achievement made possible through Friends of the Earth’s advocacy and partnership with the California Department of Education (CDE), farmers and the program’s regional prime vendors. CDE has been a long-time champion of this program that enables schools to use federally subsidized entitlement dollars to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, one of the largest federal pipelines for distributing fresh produce to students.

Friends of the Earth has been helping  school districts purchase organic food for many years, with numerous success stories highlighted in its  Plan de acción de alimentos escolares orgánicos.

Strengthening Student Health, Farmers and Community

By prioritizing organic options, the DoD Fresh Program is reducing schoolchildren’s exposure to harmful pesticides and supporting healthier diets, while also protecting the farmworkers who grow their food. At a time when many farmers are struggling economically and losing local markets due to federal funding cuts, the program provides new, stable markets for diversified organic farms of all sizes.

Farmer Jim Durst, owner of Durst Organic Growers in Yolo, CA proudly sells to California schools through the DoD Fresh Program: “The DoD Fresh Program has allowed us to connect with school districts across the state and diversify our markets. We are passionate about growing organically and prioritizing soil health, which we believe leads to healthier foods; and improves the health of our children.” He goes on to share, “We are thrilled to see California and the DoD prioritizing organically grown produce for schools in our state and beyond.” 

Many producers supplying organic items to schools have historically faced barriers to federal procurement contracts. Their inclusion in the DoD Fresh and school food supply chains is helping to build a more resilient food and agricultural system, one that rewards organic and regenerative farming and keeps public food dollars circulating in local economies.

“California’s long growing season and diverse network of organic producers make it uniquely equipped to use public procurement dollars to increase access to healthier, climate-friendly foods,” said Nora Stewart, Senior Program Manager at Friends of the Earth. “We hope other states will follow suit. By sourcing organic produce through DoD Fresh, we’re improving nutrition, reducing pesticide exposure, and supporting the health and livelihoods of the people who grow our food. This is how school meals can be a powerful lever for stronger rural economies and regenerative food systems.”

Transforming a Federal School Food Pipeline

Friends of the Earth’s work to integrate organic produce into DoD Fresh began in 2020 after school districts expressed interest in using USDA entitlement funds to purchase organic products. The organization collaborated with CDE and California’s two DoD Fresh prime vendors—initially Coast Citrus (Southern California, 2020-2024), and now with the current prime vendors, Valley Fruit and Produce (Southern California) and ProPacific Fresh (Northern California)—and mobilized school nutrition directors to request certified organic items be added to the vendors’ FFAVORS catalogs.

Since then, more than 36 organic produce items have been offered to California schools through the program, including organic apples, apricots, blueberries, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, cherries, grapes, lettuce, Shiitake mushrooms, nectarines, oranges, peaches, plums, pluots, raspberries, salad mix, strawberries, squash, tangerines, and Roma and cherry tomatoes, for example. With support from the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Farm to School Incubator Grant Program, Friends of the Earth continues to expand organic menu offerings and procurement across dozens of school districts through technical assistance, training, resources, and marketing support.

“At ProPacific, we’re using our extensive distribution capabilities to do more than move produce—we’re helping schools inspire healthier eating habits,” said Nate Parks, President and COO of ProPacific Fresh, the Northern California prime vendor for DoD Fresh. “By bringing fresh, local, and organic options directly into cafeterias, we’re driving higher participation, stronger student health, and a positive ripple effect across the local economy. Every box of produce we deliver supports nearby farms, keeps dollars in the community, and builds a more resilient regional food system.”

Additional community partnerships have also been key to the program’s success. Cocina consciente, long-time advocate for organic school food, has supported West Contra Costa Unified School District and other schools throughout California to serve more organic food. These collaborations have expanded access to organic foods and created new tools for nutrition directors to share best practices and success stories.

Districts large and small are proving that organic procurement is both feasible and impactful:

• Capistrano USD invested nearly $136,000 in organic produce during the 2024–25 school year.
• Pajaro Valley USD purchased over 6,100 pounds of organic produce, investing more than $48,500 in organic produce.
• Fresno USD procured 8,000 pounds of organic fruits and vegetables.

In total, nearly $3.5 million in organic sales occurred during the 2024–25 school year alone—a more than 300% increase over the previous year.

“In addition to our other valued produce partners, the addition of organic produce from the DoD has strengthened our district’s commitment to sustainability and student wellness,” says said Kristin Hilleman, Director of Food and Nutrition Services at Capistrano Unified School District, “Every time we elevate the quality of what we serve, we’re investing in healthier kids and a healthier planet.”

As USDA considers the next evolution of the DoD Fresh Program, California’s progress offers a clear roadmap for how to support farmers, students and the environment by investing in more organic procurement.

Media Contact:

Jessica Christopher (Curator PR for Friends of the Earth)

Phone: 610-945-8615

Email: [email protected]

Elsa Fletcher (Curator PR for Friends of the Earth)

Phone: 206-669-7229

Email: [email protected]