USDA Announces Best Practices Awards - 2011
Dept of Agriculture Food & Nutrition Service
Southeast Region

The USDA Southeast Regional Office is pleased to announce the winners of the 18th Annual Best Practice Awards in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program and Food Distribution Program. All of the nominations included excellent examples of best practices within the Child Nutrition Programs (CNP).

In the category of Customer Service, the winner is Georgia Educational Cooperative (GEC) Food Committee. Fifteen members of the GEC formed a partnership for procurement of foods and products. The fifteen districts are: Cartersville City, Gordon County, Dawson County, Floyd County, Pickens County, Whitfield County, Dade County, Haralson County, Calhoun City, Paulding County, Chattooga County, Chickamauga City, Murray County, Fannin County, Cherokee County, Gilmer County, and Dalton Public Schools.

The GEC Food Committee was formed to increase buying power and provide higher quality products without additional costs to their customers. By combining their efforts they were able to take advantage of volume discounts and share responsibilities and the work load associated with the bidding process. Joint product sessions
are held for brokers allow for more influence over product development. Members stay in contact and use the same food products on their bids. This standardization has led to new operating procedures and shared nutrition data. The partnership has resulted in much higher quality food and lower costs.