Why is it so difficult for farms to place and serve local, organic, fresh produce in nearby schools for breakfast and lunch? Can chef Ari Stern of Dinnerfix be the bridge?
Core Problem: Government agents are still incentivized to choose the cheapest option, both at the federal level, but especially in low-income, low tax bracket districts. Taxpayers often choose the cheapest option or pressure local politicians to do so. This is still the case for school lunch.
Funding problem: 1: Private citizens, i.e., those with means, float programs (in this case, locally sourced, nutritious school meals) for underserved communities with little expectation for ROI. Eventually, investments cease without clear models for perpetual sustainability. 2: Government grants, often pushed through new programs or non-profits, though helpful and valuable, are often one-time only injections of capital. Grant-writing requires awareness, time, skill, and labor.
