The purchasing of all products used in the School Nutrition Program is regulated by federal guidelines. The products are competitively bid to help ensure that the products used are of the best quality and price available to us and that we receive quality service from our vendors.

Guilford County Schools is a member of the North Carolina Child Nutrition Procurement Alliance that provides a joint bid document for all members. This helps ensure that we get the best prices possible based on volume discounts. Currently approximately 80% of the state’s school districts participate. 

• Food manufacturers must meet federal grading standards and practices.  Products meet federal standards and are safe and wholesome.
• Distributors must have a safety/security plan in place to prevent food from being contaminated or tampered with.
• Product specifications include factors such as quality grade, size, growing location, ingredients, allergens and nutritional factors for fat, sodium, etc.

Buy American  

Foods purchased for the School Nutrition Programs must be of US domestic origin with few exceptions. The only imported foods that are currently allowed are canned pineapple and tuna due to insufficient supplies in the U.S. Grapes can also be imported when U.S. supplies are not sufficient during certain growing seasons.