Good food for the people you feed.
Bring Montana food into school lunches, restaurant menus, pantry shelves and meals you share.
Find growers and food businesses, talk through what your kitchen needs, and build a buying relationship that works for both of you.
Need help finding the right connection? Tell Hopa what you need.
Return to your saved suppliers & plans
Start with one meal. Build from there.
Every kitchen has its own rhythm. Begin with the food, people and timing you know, then give a supplier something concrete to work with.
A regular ingredient, a seasonal dish or one shared meal can be the beginning.
Farm to school & childcare
Begin with a meal your kitchen knows.
Choose one ingredient you already use and tell a grower how you prepare it. Whole carrots, washed greens and ready-to-cook vegetables ask different things of your kitchen and your supplier.
Bring the meal count, serving dates and available storage. Ask your purchasing team what information a new supplier needs to provide before you agree on an order.
A useful first question“We roast carrots for lunch on Fridays. What pack sizes could you offer, and how far ahead should we order?”
Compare carrot offers & pack sizesRestaurants & caterers
Let the growing season into the conversation.
Share the dish you have in mind, the quantity you use and the weeks you need it. A grower may have a different variety or a shorter season than your usual supplier.
Agree on useful substitutions, order notice and a receiving window. For an event, name the date early so you can make a backup plan together.
A useful first question“We’re planning an autumn menu. What vegetables could we build around, and when would you know the week’s availability?”
Meet growers and food businessesPantries & community meals
Plan around the way you share food.
Tell suppliers whether you prepare meals or give people ingredients to take home. Household portions, bulk kitchen packs and produce that needs washing call for different arrangements.
Be clear about what you can buy, whether you are asking about a donation, and who can collect, chill and receive the food. Confirm what is possible with each supplier.
A useful first question“We share groceries on Tuesdays and can collect on Monday. What produce could work in household portions?”
Look for food to shareTurn an idea into a useful conversation.
Gather your food, quantities and timing below. Copy the plan for a call, print it for your kitchen, or keep it with the people who help you buy.
A request for Western Montana Growers Cooperative
Jam Jalapeno · 12, 15 oz jars. Ask for a current quote and confirm availability before ordering.
View this seller’s profile and buying contactsA clear first question goes a long way.
- What food would help, and roughly how much?
- Is your date flexible or fixed?
- Could you collect food, or do you need a delivery option?
Your take-away plan
Ready to keep, edit or share yourself.
Use Keep this plan to choose an account or shared space. Continue opens a request you can review before sending.
Food sourcing plan For: Household or another group Supplier to ask: Western Montana Growers Cooperative Supplier profile: https://buylocalfoodmt.com/suppliers/hub/western-montana-growers-cooperative Quote needed; confirm current availability and selling unit. Food: Jam Jalapeno Quantity: To discuss Unit / pack size: 12, 15 oz jars Timing: To discuss Town or area: To discuss Pickup or delivery: To discuss Other needs: Ask about substitutions, packaging, storage and total price. Questions to ask • What food would help, and roughly how much? • Is your date flexible or fixed? • Could you collect food, or do you need a delivery option? • What is available, at what price per exact unit, and for how long? • What is the minimum order, lead time and final handoff arrangement? Planning notes only. This is not an order, reservation or request sent to Hopa.
Keep the useful work for next time.
Start with a few saved finds. Add an account when you want named lists or a shared place for your group’s planning.
A food list for you
Save household food offers and supplier profiles while browsing. Device saves stay in that browser; an account gives you named lists you can return to.
Open your saved foodA shared space for your group
Create a space for your school, kitchen or organization, then invite the people who help source food. Unsubmitted planning is private to the people with access.
Set up shared planningA draft for a recurring need
Record what you need regularly. When a scheduled draft is available, review its quantity, timing and wording before submitting it. It does not place a repeating order or send itself to suppliers.
Manage recurring needsPrices and availability can change after you save something. Recheck the current offer before you buy.
Could an introduction help?
Hopa Mountain connects local producers, food hubs, pantries and families. A clear description of your food need is a useful place to begin.
Send a sourcing request for Hopa to review. Hopa selects suppliers and approves each introduction; there is no automatic broadcast. Submitted conversations are visible to Hopa.
Continue to a sourcing requestThe worksheet above sends nothing. An introduction is not an order or a promise of supply.
Return to existing conversations