Interested in selling to
Dartmouth Dining Services?

Farm to Dartmouth Project staff conduct interviews to find farms whose capacity might lead to productive and satisfying accounts with Dartmouth Dining Services.

To be interviewed, contact Lisa Johnson at Valley Food & Farm: 802-291-9100 x 103 or lisa@vitalcommunities.org.

Key Points for Farmers Interested in Selling to Dartmouth:

• There are many opportunities, both large and small, to sell to DDS.
• DDS sells a larger quantity of many items than most VT/NH farms can supply alone.
• DDS uses vast amounts of some products that are not good candidates for local production; they could be raised here but not in sufficient quantities and they would need processing; for example, 6 oz. boneless/skinless chicken breast, and washed/cut/bagged salad greens.
• DDS uses many higher value products on a seasonal or more limited basis.
• All direct vendors to Dartmouth College must go through a process to become approved.
• All direct vendors to Dartmouth College must hold a $2 million insurance policy, but only $1 million for produce vendors.
• DDS pays for service and convenience in addition to quality.
• There is a certain amount of latitude for passing the cost of higher value products on to the student.
• In most cases it is easier for DDS to access smaller suppliers through wholesalers who already have approved vendor status. DDS currently uses wholesalers who deliver local products, such as: Upper Valley Produce, Black River Produce (which delivers many more products than produce), Roma and Sysco, and many more.
• DDS committed to a small number of produce farmers in the winter to buy their vegetables, melons, berries and apples during summer/fall 2006 and 2007, and plan to continue to do so.
• DDS sells everything a la carte and prefers that most products be of consistent size.
• Consistent supply and quality are also major issues.
• DDS is committed to continuing to buy from VT & NH farmers and continuing the Farm to Dartmouth project into the future.

Here is a list of farmers who have already expressed interest and been interviewed