CWS Regional Sourcing

2026-11-03

Project Objective Minneapolis Public Schools ( MPS ) is seeking proposals from organizations and individuals wishing to provide CWS Regional Sourcing food products . SCOPE OF SERVICES A . Project Background This section begins with some background information on the Minneapolis Public School District and then discusses the overall expectations for the CWS Regional Sourcing food products , as well as the district ’ s specific needs . It also describes existing services and equipment that the Vendor may wish to incorporate into its design and the issues that need to be considered . The Minneapolis Public Schools is the fourth largest K - 12 District in Minnesota . Minneapolis , located in Hennepin County , is the largest city in the state of Minnesota , and is the 48th largest in the United States . The District covers 70 school programs at 65 sites , with approximately 28 , 500 students and 3 , 200 teaching staff . 70 school programs include : ✓ K - 5 Schools : 19 ✓ K - 8 Schools : 17 ✓ Middle Schools ( 6 - 8 ): 5 ✓ High Schools ( 9 - 12 ): 7 ✓ Special Education Schools : 2 ✓ Specialty Schools : 1 ✓ District Alternative Schools : 4 ✓ Contract Alternative Schools : 12 Growth projection : Stable Superintendent : Dr . Lisa Sayles - Adams Executive Director Culinary and Wellness Services ( CWS ): Angela Richey Director Procurement : Christopher Boyce B . CWS Regional Sourcing Product / Service Goals Projected Total Yearly Value of all awards : • $ 250 , 000 Primary Components : The proposed CWS Regional Sourcing products must include , but not limited to , the following components : ✓ Food stuffs in accordance with guidelines and specifically sought items as described later in this document ✓ Complete and accurate costs associated with those goods including delivery fees ✓ A distribution plan for operating either on a direct service model or willingness to work with MPS contracted distribution partners ✓ Confirmation of any licenses or credentials required to supply school nutrition programs as food vendor C . Culinary and Wellness Services Organization Culinary and Wellness Services Department Structure ✓ Department is led by Executive Director Angela Richey ✓ Operates a central manufacturing and distribution facility supporting 70 school site operations as well as community partners . These sites operate as either heat and serve installations or full kitchens with scratch cooking ability . ✓ Minneapolis Public Schools is on a mission to improve meals and snacks offered from the perceived “ traditional school lunch ” of highly processed foods , to wholesome , healthy and fresh foods ✓ To this end the department maintains strict product requirements covering nutrition and ingredients , an expansive Farm to School program and fosters new and innovative ideas in the school food service field . ✓ Operates and supports a number of different programs including NSLP , CACFP , FFVP o Approximate Lunches Daily : 16 , 000 o Approximate Breakfasts Daily : 10 , 000 o Approximate Afterschool Snacks Daily : 5 , 000 o Approximate Number of FFVP servings per week : 30 , 000 ✓ Under Minnesota State Statute 471 , the District is a member of the Minnesota School Food Buying Group ( MSFBG ). Additionally , the District reserves the right to joint purchasing under this Contract with St . Paul Public Schools . ✓ Operates under the Buy American provision D . General Description of Expected Services 1 . MPS expects the highest level of quality , professionalism , and results from the vendor and product and the development and implementation of services provided by them , including , but not limited to the following : a . Consultant shall comply with all applicable federal , state , and local statutes , laws , ordinances , rules and regulations , including securing and maintaining in force such permits and licenses as are required by law in connection with the furnishing of services pursuant to this agreement . 2 . MPS expects that success of the vendors ’ performance and product will be determined at the sole discretion of MPS . 3 . MPS expects that success of the consultant ’ s performance and product will be determined by both qualitative and quantitative means of data collection and analysis . E . Specific Expectation and Components to be Addressed by Response 1 . MPS Culinary and Wellness Services take great pride in being able to source a large volume and variety of raw and processed foods from the regional Upper Midwest area to utilize in the program and serve nutritious meals to students . 2 . The goal of this RFP is to provide the opportunity for growers , producers , and manufacturers to offer their products directly to the district in a clear and open format while giving the district the opportunity to expand regional purchasing and build supply chain partnerships with these vendors . 3 . The primary groups being sought to submit proposals for this RFP are farmers and produce aggregators with more than $ 1 . 5 million per year gross sales , small to medium sized animal protein farmers and producers , and small to medium food manufacturers entering or looking to enter the school nutrition marketplace . Geographically , proposers are sought from the 5 state area of Minnesota , Wisconsin , Iowa , South Dakota and North Dakota .

Minnesota

2026-05-02