FAQ- School Districts
Can any district join the Buying Group?
Any district may apply, but the group has established membership criteria that provide guidance in selecting new members. The group will consider every application and make a determination on membership based on these criteria.
What benefits does membership provide?
Member directors are freed from the responsibly of competitive bidding for items on the Grocery, Paper and Ice Cream bids, as this process is handled by the NHBG. Members also enjoy access to additional rebate opportunities and easier collaboration with local food sources and farmers. Members also enjoy tremendous networking opportunities, professional collaboration, lobbying power, streamlined commodity processing and much more. There is a great mixture of directors in the group each willing to share their own experience and expertise with other members!
Is there a membership cost?
Yes, there is an annual membership cost, however the savings a district realizes is many times greater than the cost of membership.
What items are on the bids?
We bid a large amount of grocery items, including center of the plate foods, baked goods, breakfast items and much more. We also have a paper goods bid and an ice cream RFP. You can see the awarded bids here.
Do I need to buy every Item on the bids?
No. You are only committed to buy the items you actually project and you will get the bid price regardless of whether you project an item or not. You are encouraged to use as many items on the bid as possible to maximize your savings.
How many meetings must I attend?
The group only holds 4 or 5 meetings a year, and you should attend all of the meetings to make sure your voice is heard and your district is well represented. The majority of group communication is done via email and other electronic means.
How much will I save by being a member?
That depends on how many bid items you use, your current pricing, your district size and other factors. Districts can save anywhere from 50 cents to several dollars per case over what they would pay as non-members. This quickly adds up to thousands of dollars per year. We regularly compare our pricing and are confident that it is extremely competitive.
Can I still buy from my favorite vendor even if they did not win the bid?
The integrity of the group is extremely important to us, therefore if you project usage on an item, you need to buy that item from the winning vendor. If you do not project usage on an item, you may buy it from whoever you want.
Can I get items I already use added to the bids?
If there is sufficient interest in the item within the group, we may add the item to the bid. You can bring items forward to other members during the year.
Any district may apply, but the group has established membership criteria that provide guidance in selecting new members. The group will consider every application and make a determination on membership based on these criteria.
What benefits does membership provide?
Member directors are freed from the responsibly of competitive bidding for items on the Grocery, Paper and Ice Cream bids, as this process is handled by the NHBG. Members also enjoy access to additional rebate opportunities and easier collaboration with local food sources and farmers. Members also enjoy tremendous networking opportunities, professional collaboration, lobbying power, streamlined commodity processing and much more. There is a great mixture of directors in the group each willing to share their own experience and expertise with other members!
Is there a membership cost?
Yes, there is an annual membership cost, however the savings a district realizes is many times greater than the cost of membership.
What items are on the bids?
We bid a large amount of grocery items, including center of the plate foods, baked goods, breakfast items and much more. We also have a paper goods bid and an ice cream RFP. You can see the awarded bids here.
Do I need to buy every Item on the bids?
No. You are only committed to buy the items you actually project and you will get the bid price regardless of whether you project an item or not. You are encouraged to use as many items on the bid as possible to maximize your savings.
How many meetings must I attend?
The group only holds 4 or 5 meetings a year, and you should attend all of the meetings to make sure your voice is heard and your district is well represented. The majority of group communication is done via email and other electronic means.
How much will I save by being a member?
That depends on how many bid items you use, your current pricing, your district size and other factors. Districts can save anywhere from 50 cents to several dollars per case over what they would pay as non-members. This quickly adds up to thousands of dollars per year. We regularly compare our pricing and are confident that it is extremely competitive.
Can I still buy from my favorite vendor even if they did not win the bid?
The integrity of the group is extremely important to us, therefore if you project usage on an item, you need to buy that item from the winning vendor. If you do not project usage on an item, you may buy it from whoever you want.
Can I get items I already use added to the bids?
If there is sufficient interest in the item within the group, we may add the item to the bid. You can bring items forward to other members during the year.
FAQ - Vendors
I have an item I'd like the group to see. How do I go about submitting this item?
You can visit individual districts, send information using the Vendor Submission form, or request to show us items at a group meeting.
When are bids released and when are they opened?
We have recently moved up the timeline and will be releasing bids to vendors in late March for a mid-May opening.
How do I submit an item as "Equal"
There are several lines each year bid in this manner. Specific instructions are released with the bids. The group will determine if an item qualifies as EQUAL and notify the vendor well before the bid opening. You may also submit an item at any time prior to the release of the bids for our consideration by using the Vendor Submission form.
What is the value of off-bid items?
This varies from year to year and is dependent on the breadth of the line from the winning vendor, but members typically purchase several million dollars in off-bid items from the winning grocery vendor. This is true for paper goods and ice cream as well, but to a much smaller extent.
How accurate are your projections?
They are based on the best estimates of the directors, and are conservatively accurate. Actual usages may be affected by donated USDA foods, student preference, regulatory changes, and or changes in district director. We will work with vendors to address any concerns they have during the bid cycle.
How can I find out what districts are members?
You can see a map of member districts here. An updated, detailed listing is released each year with the bids.
You can visit individual districts, send information using the Vendor Submission form, or request to show us items at a group meeting.
When are bids released and when are they opened?
We have recently moved up the timeline and will be releasing bids to vendors in late March for a mid-May opening.
How do I submit an item as "Equal"
There are several lines each year bid in this manner. Specific instructions are released with the bids. The group will determine if an item qualifies as EQUAL and notify the vendor well before the bid opening. You may also submit an item at any time prior to the release of the bids for our consideration by using the Vendor Submission form.
What is the value of off-bid items?
This varies from year to year and is dependent on the breadth of the line from the winning vendor, but members typically purchase several million dollars in off-bid items from the winning grocery vendor. This is true for paper goods and ice cream as well, but to a much smaller extent.
How accurate are your projections?
They are based on the best estimates of the directors, and are conservatively accurate. Actual usages may be affected by donated USDA foods, student preference, regulatory changes, and or changes in district director. We will work with vendors to address any concerns they have during the bid cycle.
How can I find out what districts are members?
You can see a map of member districts here. An updated, detailed listing is released each year with the bids.