The Mississippi Department of Education and participating Child Nutrition programs initiated a statewide purchasing program in 1992. The Department issues bids for food and supplies used under this program. These bids represent manufacturers’ pricing as well as institutional distributors and suppliers. Local organizations order products from the approved bid list at a fixed price for the duration of the contract. The foods are delivered by contract distributors on a weekly basis. The specific items on the bid are determined by the Purchasing Management Committee. The determination includes quality of product, packaging and pre-approval of brands based on student acceptability. Members can also utilize contract pricing for produce, bread, milk and ice cream.