The Common Market in the News

Aramark Collegiate Hospitality Campuses Recognized for Excellence in Dining and Local Sourcing

Aramark Collegiate Hospitality

By incorporating products sourced from local and regional partners, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality dining teams create meals that connect students to the communities surrounding campus while providing the fresh options and culinary experiences students increasingly seek.

That commitment to local sourcing recently earned national recognition for six Aramark Collegiate Hospitality partner campuses. Auburn University, Berry College, Clemson University, Mercer University, North Greenville University, and the University of South Carolina (USC) received The Common Market's 2026 Farmer Champion Award, which recognizes organizations that support local farmers, strengthen regional food systems, and increase access to locally sourced food.

Webinar: Growing Farm Fresh: Real Menus, Real Results, Real Examples!

This virtual conversation featured Texas-based school nutrition directors and dietitians about how they bring Farm Fresh products to their students.

The session featured real-world examples of farm-fresh menus, budgets, and photos from districts already doing the work. The Texas Department of Agriculture also shares out about its Farm Fresh Challenge and The Common Market Texas showcases how it connects the dots from farm to school.

Whether you're just getting started or looking to expand an existing program, watch and see what's possible and start thinking about your next step!

The Common Market Texas Brings Local Produce to School Cafeterias

GO TEXAN

From pasture-raised beef and eggs to honey, apples and oranges, The Common Market Texas is bringing fresh, local food to schools across the Lone Star State. The organization has provided fresh fare to Texas school districts and their food service teams since 2018. It’s estimated that more than 510,000 students have been positively impacted by these efforts. So far, the organization has centered its efforts on K-12 throughout the metro areas of Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Dallas-Fort Worth.

Morrison Healthcare and The Common Market Celebrate Farmer Champions!

Morrison Healthcare

Morrison Healthcare is proud to partner with The Common Market to connect healthcare communities with fresh, locally sourced food while supporting farmers and regional food systems.

This year, several Morrison Healthcare accounts were recognized as Farmer Champions through The Common Market’s Farmer Champion Program, which celebrates organizations committed to supporting local agriculture.

BackPack Program Aims To Expand Food Access For Monmouth & Ocean County Kids

Patch

Traditionally offered during the school year, Fulfill's BackPack Program provides children with shelf-stable breakfast and lunch items to supplement the meals they receive during the week.With HMH’s support, the program was extended into the summer at participating Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sites, where children will also receive weekend backpacks alongside fresh produce, bread, eggs and yogurt from The Common Market.

Bartow County School Sysytem wins Gold-level Farmer Champion Award

The Daily Tribune

From September 2025 through May 2026, Bartow County Schools purchased $14,311 in local food from The Common Market's network of small and mid-sized farms, bringing fresh, locally grown foods to our cafeterias while supporting Georgia farmers and local communities. Last school year, students enjoyed strawberries from Sonrise Farm (Winder), apples from B.J. Reece Orchards (Ellijay), and peaches from Pearson Farm (Fort Valley), connecting them with nutritious foods grown close to home.

This Free Farmers Market Is Helping Belmont Cragin Families Stay Afloat Amid SNAP Cuts

Block Club Chicago

With funding from the Reva and David Logan Foundation, Onward House receives produce from The Common Market, a nonprofit wholesale distributor that sources food from within 250 miles of Chicago.

“We’re providing this very local fresh produce to communities and we’re supporting the food infrastructure by actually purchasing those foods from local farmers,” said Emilio Araujo, Onward House’s director of development and communications.

Student Engagement Drives Higher Education Foodservice

Produce Business

Students are paying closer attention to where their food comes from and are seeking transparency around sourcing and sustainability, according to Michael Gilligan, senior director, brand management for Aramark Collegiate Hospitality, a division of Philadelphia, PA-headquartered Aramark, which manages dining halls, cafes, catering, and retail operations in over 275 C&U nationwide.

“At Towson University, approximately 60% of produce utilized across dining operations is sourced from our local partners and regional suppliers, including seasonal vegetables like squash, peppers, lettuces, potatoes, and carrots, as well as rotating fruit selections such as multiple apple varieties offered daily.”


CCSD21 partnership with The Common Market invests more than $29,000 in local farms

Community Consolidated School District 21

Community Consolidated School District 21’s commitment to serving fresh, nutritious meals while supporting regional agriculture continues to make a meaningful impact.

New data from The Common Market Great Lakes shows that District 21 invested $29,344 in the local food economy during the 2025 calendar year through its ongoing partnership with the nonprofit regional food distributor. Those purchases directly supported 22 local farms across Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan.