Farm Fresh Survey for NSLP & CACFP Operators

The purpose of this survey is to assess Farm Fresh Initiatives in Texas and better understand how TDA can support Contracting Entities' (CEs) implementation of Farm to School/Farm to Early Childcare efforts in child nutrition programs across the state. The responses requested will be used to develop and improve resources to help Contracting Entities (CEs) implement and/or increase Farm to School programming in schools and childcare centers throughout Texas.

Your honest and thorough answers are appreciated. For responses requesting budget, enrollment, or producer information, please use estimates for the current school year. TDA has simplified the survey and broken it into to make it easier and quicker for you to fill out. This survey should take between 5 and 10 minutes of your time.

As always, TDA thanks you for your time and responses. We look forward to learning how to better serve you and other CEs across Texas.

Section 1: Organization Demographics and Local Food Purchasing Habits

1a. Choose the appropriate category for your organization*

1b. Is your organization self-operated or do you use a contracted food service management company or other vendor?*

1c. Please choose the program(s) you operate (Choose all that apply)*

1d. In which ESC region are you located?*

1e. How many campuses/sites do you serve?*

1f. On average, how many total meals does your organization serve in a day? *

1g. What are your organization's eligibility rates for free, reduced, and paid meals? (A percentage must be entered in each line):*

1h. What is your estimated monthly food cost?*

1i. Do you currently purchase Texas products for your meals?*

1j. Which Texas products (aside from milk) do you purchase most often? (Choose 3)*

1k. How much of your food budget do you spend on local products?*

1l. From whom do you procure your Texas products? (Choose all that apply)*

1m. Please list the names of local farmers, ranchers, and/or producers from whom your organization directly purchases:

1n. Do you communicate directly with a producer in your area?*

1o. Which of these common barriers inhibit your ability to implement/increase your Farm Fresh purchasing? (Choose all that apply)*

1p. What are your motivations for purchasing local foods and participating in Farm Fresh activities? (Choose all that apply)*

Section 2: Farm Fresh Activities

This section of questions has to do with your participation in Farm Fresh activities. For the purpose of this survey, "Farm Fresh activities" are defined as participating in TDA's Farm Fresh Challenge, planting and caring for edible gardens, and educational activities focused on local food (visits from farmers, field trips to farms or farmers' markets, taste testing local foods, educational handouts, etc.)

2a. How long have you participated in Farm Fresh activities? (In years)*

2b. Do you participate in the Farm Fresh Challenge?*

We've participated in the Farm Fresh Challenge for blanks years. We've earned recognition for blank of those years.

2c. Which of these Farm Fresh activities do you currently do? (Choose all that apply)*

Please define 'Other'

2d. Which of these Farm Fresh activities would you like to do? (Choose all that apply)*

Please define 'Other'

2e. What barriers inhibit your ability to implement/increase your Farm Fresh activities? (Choose all that apply)*

Please define 'Other'

Section 3: Resources

The last section of the survey covers resources. TDA would like to know what resources you use and what you would consider helpful.

3a. Where do you find resources for your Farm Fresh activities? (Choose all that apply)*

3b. What types of resources do you use? (Choose all that apply)*

Please define 'Other'

3c. What resources would you like to have?

If you would like to provide more detailed feedback or would like to be contacted regarding your responses, please provide your name, organization, and email address below.

Organization Name (Optional)

Name (Optional)

First NameLast Name

Email (Optional)

example@example.com