About the Challenge

The Northeast Food for Schools Challenge invites Massachusetts schools to collectively invest $6 million in our state’s local farmers, fishers, and food producers by the end of 2026.

Building upon the Commonwealth’s investment in Universal Free School Meals and the successful supply chain relationships established through the Local Food for Schools Program, the Northeast Food for Schools (NFS) Challenge is an opportunity to demonstrate that school nutrition is committed to the health of our students and the health of Massachusetts’ economy.

Collectively, the schools that pledge to participate in the NFS Challenge are striving to purchase $6 million of Massachusetts and regionally grown and produced foods by the end of 2026. This $6 million goal represents the amount originally earmarked for local food purchases for the 2025-2026 school year through USDA’s now-terminated Local Food For Schools Program.

Throughout the Challenge, the Mass. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Mass. Farm to School will celebrate schools demonstrating innovation and leadership in local procurement through its communication channels, promotional incentives and regular updates to a local purchasing leaderboard.