Farm to School Local Foods

Lake Travis Independent School District is issuing RFP 26-002 for their Farm to School Local Foods program, seeking qualified vendors to supply and deliver local produce, grains, and proteins for the district’s food and nutrition services. The goal of the procurement is to source fresh, local food items that meet the nutritional and safety standards required for K-12 Child Nutrition Programs. Interested vendors are encouraged to attend a pre-proposal meeting scheduled for November 10, 2025, at the district’s Austin address. All proposals must be submitted in hard copy form by 2:00 p.m. on December 3, 2025; electronic submissions will not be accepted. The RFP outlines a comprehensive set of evaluation criteria, prioritizing best value over lowest price. Submissions will be reviewed based on a weighted scoring rubric that accounts for price, adherence to product specifications, food safety practices, delivery and logistics, sustainability, and support for small or historically disadvantaged businesses. Vendors are required to provide detailed information regarding their sourcing, compliance with food safety protocols (including HACCP, GAP/GHP certifications, or completion of alternative food safety questionnaires if not certified), and emergency recall procedures. Participation is open to vendors who can supply any subset of required items, and multiple awards per item are possible if it ensures the district’s needs are best met. Vendors are further evaluated for their engagement with farm-to-school initiatives and sustainable practices, with bonus points for inclusive business support. The procurement process includes completed vendor documentation, pricing sheets, and compliance forms, such as required remittance documents and IRS forms for tax identification purposes, to ensure transparency and regulatory compliance throughout the contracting period. For additional questions or clarifications, vendors are directed to contact the district’s primary point of contact.