Buy Local Program
CT Fresh Ed: Buy Local Program
The CT Fresh Ed: Buy Local Program provides funding to eligible USDA Child Nutrition Program sponsors to support the purchase of locally and regionally sourced unprocessed and minimally processed foods, strengthening local agriculture while supporting nutritious meals statewide.
- Operational Memorandum No. 2-26: CT Fresh Ed: Buy Local Program
- CT Fresh Ed: Buy Local Program Questions and Answers
- School Year 2026-27 Allocations
- School Year 2025-26 Allocations (Expiring September 30, 2026)
Application for NSLP and SBP Sponsors
School Year 2026-27
All sponsors approved for school year (SY) 2025-26 are automatically approved for SY 2026-27, provided they continue to meet program requirements. SY 2026-27 allocations are in addition to the SY 2025-26 allocations. Sponsors not previously approved must complete the CT Fresh Ed: Buy Local Program application. Please review the approved sponsor list before completing an application. SY 2026-27 allocations are in addition to SY 2025–26 allocations. SY 2025–26 allocation funds expire on September 30, 2026.
Approved Sponsors for Buy Local Program
School Year 2026-27
- List of CT Fresh Ed: Buy Local Program Sponsors
As of August 24, 2026
Payment Request Form
Payment requests must be submitted using the CT Fresh Ed: Buy Local Program Payment Request Form.
Local and Regional Food Tracker
The CSDE’s CT Fresh Ed: Local and Regional Food Tracker Excel spreadsheet assists sponsors in tracking local and regional purchases, monitoring invoices submitted for the CT Fresh Ed: Buy Local Program, managing forward contracts, and overall tracking of purchases for completing Sections 1 and 2 of the CT Fresh Ed: Compass.