Institutional Food Purchasing

Transform your institution's food system with local food purchasing agreements that benefit your community, your budget, and local farmers.

Who We Are

Mycosphere Partners is a Northeast-based alliance of organizers, lawyers, and mappers dedicated to helping farmers take back power from extractive supply chains.

We have established, trusted relationships with farmers across the Northeast, built through years of on-the-ground work and participatory research. This gives us unique insight into what farmers need and how to structure agreements that work for everyone.

Our Vision

To co-create cooperative, regional food infrastructures where:

  • You are a price maker, not a price taker
  • Your data and knowledge are protected and valued
  • Capital works for you, not against you
  • You are connected to other farmers building the future

What We Offer

Comprehensive support for converting your institution's food sourcing to local food networks that benefit your community and local farmers.

Farmer Relationships

Established connections with local farmers across the Northeast to source fresh, diverse produce.

CSA Subscriptions

Community-supported agriculture programs for employees, patients, and key stakeholders.

System Integration

Seamless integration with your existing food service operations and procurement processes.

Benefits for Your Institution

Converting to local food sourcing delivers four key benefits that directly impact your institution's success.

Increased Nutrient Density

Fresh, local food harvested at peak ripeness delivers significantly higher nutritional value compared to food that's traveled long distances and been stored for extended periods.

Regional Food System Capacity

By investing in local farmers, you're building a more resilient, long-lasting regional food system that can better withstand supply chain disruptions and climate challenges.

Stronger Community Connections

Sourcing locally signals your commitment to the surrounding community. Supporting nearby farmers and producers fosters goodwill, strengthens local economies, and demonstrates your institution’s investment in long-term community wellbeing.

Enhanced Health Outcomes

For healthcare settings, superior food quality directly improves patient satisfaction scores, staff retention, and serves as a gateway to better health outcomes. Fresh, local produce supports your institution's mission of promoting wellness and recovery.

Our Process

We work with you step-by-step to design and implement local food purchasing systems that work for your specific needs.

1

Discovery & Assessment

We assess your current food system, identify opportunities, and map local farmer networks.

2

Strategy Design

We design a customized approach that fits your institution's needs and capacity.

3

Implementation

We help you implement the system, including legal structures, contracts, and operational processes.

4

Ongoing Support

We provide ongoing support to ensure your system continues to thrive and grow.

Success Stories - PLACEHOLDERS - can we speak to examples we know of?

See how we've helped institutions transform their food systems and build resilient local supply chains.

University Food System Transformation

We helped a major university develop a comprehensive local food purchasing program that now sources 40% of their produce from regional farmers.

  • • Established relationships with 25+ local farms
  • • Created cooperative purchasing agreements
  • • Reduced food costs by 15% while improving quality
  • • Built student engagement programs around local food

Hospital Food Hub Network

We designed and implemented a food hub network connecting multiple hospitals to local farmers through cooperative structures.

  • • Coordinated purchasing across 5 hospital systems
  • • Developed legal frameworks for cooperative ownership
  • • Created year-round supply through crop planning
  • • Improved patient satisfaction with food quality

How to Get Started

We're currently mapping farmers and food hubs to pilot the first bioregional finance + governance model. If you want to help build the next food economy—or just want to stop being exploited by extractive supply chains—get in touch.

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From forest farming to buckwheat to rice paddies: we believe your wisdom shapes the next economy.