Procurement 101

Whether you’re purchasing food, equipment, supplies, or meal services, understanding procurement requirements is essential to protecting your program, maintaining compliance, and ensuring every dollar is spent wisely. This training will break down procurement requirements in a practical, easy-to-understand way so you can confidently navigate the purchasing process throughout the school year. 

In this training, participants will learn: 

• Procurement fundamentals and why compliance matters 
• How to determine which procurement method to use 
• Requirements for micro-purchases, simplified acquisitions, IFBs, and RFPs 
• Best practices for writing specifications and maintaining documentation 
• Common procurement pitfalls and how to avoid them 
• Special considerations for equipment, vended meal, and FSMC contracts 

Whether you’re new to school nutrition or looking for a refresher before the school year begins, this session will provide the tools and confidence needed to make compliant purchasing decisions. 

This training satisfies USDA Professional Standards Learning Code 2400.