TurningPoint Wins Contract to Build Maryland's Local Food Exchange Platform

Recently, Turning Point Global Solutions (TurningPoint), based in Rockville, Maryland, has taken a significant step in supporting the state's agricultural and educational initiatives by winning a contract with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). This contract focuses on the development of a comprehensive Local Food Exchange (LFE) platform, aimed at connecting local farmers with school districts and state agencies in Maryland.

The Local Food Exchange Platform

With the goal of bolstering Maryland’s Farm to School program, the new statewide LFE will serve as a modern, cloud-based marketplace for local food producers. This platform will provide an essential link between farmers and Local Education Agencies (LEAs), schools, and state agencies, facilitating the direct exchange of local products.

The implementation of the LFE is designed to streamline several processes including producer registration, product availability, product search and selection, ordering, fulfillment tracking, invoicing, and administrative oversight. By establishing a user-friendly environment, TurningPoint aims to support Maryland’s local food producers in reaching institutional buyers effectively.

Technical Implementation

This innovative marketplace will be hosted within MSDE's AWS cloud environment, ensuring secure and efficient data handling while meeting the state’s stringent security and accessibility standards. The development will follow an Agile approach, allowing for rapid delivery of core functionalities while ensuring thorough testing, training, and operational readiness aligned with MSDE's objectives.

Bangalore Shivacharan, the CEO of TurningPoint, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with MSDE, stating, "We are excited to support Maryland's farming sector and educational initiatives by creating a digital marketplace that connects local producers with institutional buyers. This collaboration will help advance the goals of Maryland’s Farm to School program and enhance local economies."

About TurningPoint

Established in Rockville, MD, TurningPoint is a leading software engineering and professional IT services firm that caters to both commercial and government sectors. The company specializes in a wide array of services including health IT, telecommunications management, and modern cloud solutions. With a solid reputation for excellence, TurningPoint has achieved notable certifications, including CMMI Maturity Level 5 for Development and Level 3 for Services, along with ISO certifications for Quality Management, IT Service Management, and Information Security.

As TurningPoint moves forward with this project, the anticipated outcome is not just a digital platform, but a significant uplift in the community's connection to local food systems and educational institutions. This initiative represents a pivotal advancement in promoting sustainable local agriculture while enhancing nutritional access for students across Maryland.

By implementing the Local Food Exchange, not only will the state empower local farmers, but it will also foster educational institutions' commitment to sourcing fresh, local produce for their menus. This is a step towards a healthier future for students and a sustainable agricultural ecosystem in Maryland.