There is much local interest in and government support for efforts to develop stronger links between schools and local growers and producers. Several successful programs have been developed that provide models for school foodservice direclors who are interested in this effort. Benefits and challenges do exist in Ihe developmenl of these new markets, both from the perspective of the school foodservice projessional and the producm. Discussions of the benefits, obstacles, and pilot, projects are included in this report.