Why Choose SPARC?

SPARC was developed by food service professionals for food service professionals.

Based on the premise that healthy kids build healthy communities our goals include; providing the freshest and most nutritious ingredients, to provide the tastiest meals, at the best possible value. Kids can be picky eaters so every dollar you save on the basics can go toward providing a wider variety of appetizing foods.

We offer the lowest overall cost:

• Our maximum member price is $250.00, compared with upwards of $3595 with some of our competitors.
• We do all commodity and commercial bids for you so there are no other third-party fees.
• First-year membership is free.
• We offer the highest rebates and best discounts of any of Michigan’s consortiums, giving you money back on all the cases you buy plus early payment rebates.
• We have very low commodity and commercial bid pricing; you receive any volume discounts from manufacturers.

SPARC partners with Sysco and CSM Cost Solutions, offering over 10,000 commodity and commercial food items. Sysco partnered SPARC with CSM Cost Solutions to leverage the purchasing power of a GPO to obtain discounts from vendors based on the buying power of members. Schools receive these rebates directly from CSM twice per year.

Sysco partners with ProTeam Foodservice Advisors to provide a 2-week breakfast & 3-week lunch menu using USDA approved software. Included with the menus are Weekly Shopping Lists, Manufacturer Product, and Nutritional Information, SKU numbers for Sysco, Specifications and formulation statements for USDA Admin Review, Production Worksheets for all Meal Components, PDF/Excel formatted copies of all menus for duplication or electronic distribution.

SPARC completes a milk and bread bid for our members, bid meets all procurement requirements.

Personalized service: If you need assistance from SPARC, the director will come to visit you, anywhere in the state of Michigan, including the UP. We will never put you under any pressure to sign just give you the information you need to make an educated decision.

We have many educational resources available, such as a private recipe exchange and annual food fair to ensure every child can enjoy a healthy meal.

SPARC gives back.

• SPARC hosts a free Back to School Conference and Food Show every fall, we offer grants to assist our members who wish to attend the SPARC Back to School Conference but need help with hotel stay and travel expenses.
• SPARC offers our members grants for special projects which benefit the food service department.

It’s easy to switch. Our competitors may tell you otherwise, but the truth is all you have to do is check the SPARC Consortium box on your CNAP renewal application.

Ready to become a member? Check the SPARC Consortium on your CNAP Renewal Application.

Have questions? Contact us at the info listed below!