Cincinnati’s Good Food Purchasing Program

The policy ensures that food procurement for public institutions in Cincinnati aligns with the five core values of the Good Food Purchasing Program: local economies, environmental sustainability, valued workforce, animal welfare, and nutrition. It applies to public schools, city agencies, and other publicly funded food programs. The aim is to shift public food purchasing toward a system that supports local farmers, ensures ethical labor practices, improves environmental sustainability, enhances nutrition, and upholds humane animal treatment. The city achieves this by embedding GFPP principles into vendor contracts, conducting supply chain assessments, and creating partnerships with local producers and stakeholders.

Cincinnati adopted the GFPP in 2019 as part of a citywide push toward sustainability and equity. Advocacy from community organizations, including Green Umbrella and the Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS), played a crucial role. The program was developed in collaboration with the Center for Good Food Purchasing, drawing on successful implementation models from other cities.

The Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) and the city government are responsible for implementing the program. Monitoring includes: - Tracking procurement data against GFPP criteria. - Partnering with the Center for Good Food Purchasing to conduct regular assessments. - Publishing annual progress reports to ensure transparency and accountability.

The program has been rolled out through public schools and municipal food programs. Early successes include increased purchases from local farmers, improved nutritional quality of school meals, and enhanced environmental sustainability practices in food sourcing. Challenges include balancing cost constraints with value-driven procurement goals, but the city has made progress by leveraging partnerships and grant funding.

https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/