Are you looking for ways to cut costs at your human service sector organization? If so, you may want to consider using a group purchasing organization (GPO). GPOs are companies that negotiate contracts with vendors on behalf of their members. This can lead to significant cost savings, as members can take advantage of the economies of scale. In addition, GPOs often have menu services and other tools that can help members save money and run their operations more efficiently. What is a Group Purchasing Organization? A group purchasing organization (GPO) is an entity that uses the collective buying power of its members to negotiate discounts with vendors. GPOs typically focus...

The Case for Cutting Sugar at Breakfast It is no secret that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But what we are less well-versed in is how to make sure that breakfast is both healthy and delicious. A big part of that equation is managing the sugar content in our foods. And when it comes to sugar, kids are a special case. They are notoriously targeted for advertising that amps up their taste for sugary foods in the morning. In fact, one study published in the Journal of Community Health found that "children viewed 1.7 ads per day for ready-to-eat cereals, and 87% of those ads promoted...

The current state of the economy is bad, but that does not mean your non-profit has to suffer. There are ways to save money, even in a bad economy. One way to save money is by using a food and supply source. Food & Supply Source  can help you reduce your spend by up to 35%. Additionally, at Food & Supply Source we can help you reduce the time of your staff and have customized menus for your for the people you serve and best of all our services are FREE! Here’s how you can save money in a bad economy by using a food and supply source. Lower Costs:...

Food & Supply Source and Child Nutrition Labels The Child Nutrition (CN) Label program was established in 1984 in order to help identify qualifying manufactured food items as being creditable for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Prior to the establishment of the CN Label program, it had become increasingly difficult for CACFP operators to determine which processed and complex food items were creditable. The CN Label program makes it easier for operators to identify creditable items, and as a result, helps to ensure that children enrolled in CACFP are receiving nutritious meals. The CN Label program is an important part of the overall effort to improve the...

Follow Food & Supply Source on Instagram & Facebook to see fresh, new menu ideas every Monday! #MenuMonday Ingredients: 1 Tbs olive oil 1 Yellow onion diced 6-8 Cloves garlic minced 6 Cups Vegetable broth (or stock) 15oz (420g) can diced tomatoes, drained 2 Tsp Sugar 1 Tbsp Italian dried herbs 1 Tsp Kosher Salt 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper 1 (15oz) cans white beans Cannellini beans), dried and rinsed 4 Cups baby spinach (about 6oz) 3/4 Cup Fresh grated Parmesan Cheese (for serving) 3 Tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley     Directions; In a large pot or Saucepan, heat olive oil medium-high heat. Add onion and galric; cook until onions are translucent and garlic...

Smell it? Smell the burning pine as it crackles to the sound of a hissing log engulfed by flame. Smell the freshly cooked smores as you listen to your peers whisper untold stories only found in depths of their imagination. Camping is time spent forming memories and building lasting friendships. It’s important to create a memorable experience that makes people want to return year after year, and careful planning is the key to accomplishing this goal. Continue reading for tips on how you can prepare your camp for a successful season! Hiring Who you hire to help run your camp is extremely important. The hiring process can be lengthy, but...

Follow Food & Supply Source on Instagram & Facebook to see fresh, new menu ideas every Monday! #MenuMonday Ingredients: You choose! Directions: Grab your favorite brown and green foods and make a football shape with the brown foods, while using green foods around the edges, Include some dips for the veggies! Use some string cheese for the footballs stitching and voila! Football on the green. Enjoy!             Ingredients: 2 Pts of fresh strawberries Directions: Slice the top off each berry and cut in half lengthwise. Using a pair of clean food scissors slice a “V” into the top of each berry Use the little heart shaped strawberries as toppers...

Improve Early Childhood Education: Get the Parents Involved There has been a lot in the news lately about high-quality preschool education. Last year the Head Start budget cuts that came by way of sequestration nearly crippled the early childhood education program, causing many facilities to shut down, while low-income children and their families across the country suffered. President Obama has called on Congress again and again to help local state governments pay for high-quality preschool education – not just any early learning program, but quality learning that is offered at Head Start programs. This is not a new request. The call for high-quality education for children under the age of...

Reduce Office Supply Costs and Manage Head Start Purchases There are certain purchases associated with running an early childhood education program that cannot be neglected. While it is possible to lower supply costs for extra “nice to have” supplies and services, some purchases are required for the daily operation and success of the program. Office supplies are needed to stay on top of paperwork and record-keeping requirements, making them very much an essential purchase. However, it is important to reduce office supply costs whenever you can to ensure that the money for your Head Start program is being used as effectively as possible. One way to accomplish this is through...

Head Start Budget Cuts: Save With Wholesale Cleaning Supplies One of the most difficult parts of running a Head Start program is dealing with the constant fluctuations in federal funding for this very important early childhood learning service. Head Start budget cuts have plagued the organization in recent years, leaving administrators to scramble and find new ways to save money on basic costs for supplies that are required to run the program. Wholesale janitorial supplies and office supplies from a discount supply source can help, but the biggest change that needs to occur is a change in the way that we approach our purchasing overall. How Supply Source Can Help...