Oakland Unified School District Good Food Purchasing Program (GFPP) Implementation
Oakland Unified School District Address: 1000 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607, United States
Availability, Accessibility, Desirability, Norms and Preferences
Local
Citizens/Consumers, Businesses, Public Sector, Other (Please specify)
Ongoing
The GFPP is applied to food procurement within Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). The policy focuses on aligning school meal procurement with the GFPP’s five core values: local economies, environmental sustainability, valued workforce, animal welfare, and nutrition. The aim of OUSD’s GFPP implementation is to transform the district’s food procurement process into a model that supports healthy eating, sustainable practices, and social equity. This is achieved by: - Partnering with regional producers and suppliers that meet GFPP standards. - Incorporating plant-based and sustainably sourced foods into school meal programs. - Tracking procurement practices to ensure alignment with GFPP values.
OUSD adopted the GFPP in 2016, becoming the second school district in the nation to join the program. The decision was driven by local advocacy groups, including the Oakland Food Policy Council and Friends of the Earth. The district’s commitment to equity and sustainability in school meals aligned with the GFPP’s goals.
The OUSD Nutrition Services Department leads implementation. Monitoring is done in partnership with the Center for Good Food Purchasing, which conducts annual assessments of procurement practices. The results are used to measure progress and identify areas for improvement, with public reporting ensuring accountability.
OUSD has achieved several milestones through its GFPP implementation: - Environmental Sustainability: Transitioned to more plant-based meals and reduced purchases of carbon-intensive foods like beef. - Local Economy: Increased procurement from regional farms, benefiting Northern California’s agricultural sector. - Labor Standards: Ensured food suppliers meet fair labor practices, supporting workers across the supply chain. - Nutrition: Enhanced the nutritional quality of school meals for thousands of students, promoting healthier eating habits. These achievements have been accompanied by efforts to engage students and families in understanding the benefits of sustainable food practices. Challenges include balancing procurement budgets with sustainability goals, but OUSD has managed to make steady progress through innovative partnerships and grant funding.