- Operational Services Division
The Operational Services Division has been working with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and food and nutrition directors from eight Massachusetts school districts to develop the GRO42 K-12 School Nutrition Products Contract, which debuted on February 1. GRO42 is
designed to provide organic and non-organic produce, groceries, meat, seafood, and locally sourced items to schools and other eligible entities. GRO42 also will assist with entities complying with federal and state nutrition regulations and will enable schools to gain greater school nutrition program efficiencies.
Effective February 1, OSD is pleased to launch GRO42, Category 1, offering Produce, including organic and locally sourced fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs. Two additional Categories will be introduced, as noted below:
- GRO42 Categories and Effective Dates Category 1 Produce (February 1, 2025)
- Category 2 Groceries (Estimated – Summer 2025)
- Category 3 Locally Sourced Foods (Estimated – Winter 2025)
Learn more about the contract in the GRO42 flyer and the GRO42 Contract User Guide for more information. Reach out to the Category Manager, Michael Barry, with questions.
Note: The GRO42 Contract will not replace the GRO38 Prime Grocers, the GRO39 Drinking Water, or the GRO41 Dairy Products and Baked Goods Statewide Contracts, though some overlap in product offerings is anticipated.
