San Francisco Good Food Purchasing Program (GFPP)
San Francisco, California, United States Address: City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102
Availability, Accessibility, Affordability, Vendor and Product Properties
Local
Citizens/Consumers, Businesses, Public Sector, Other (Please specify)
Ongoing
San Francisco’s GFPP applies to public food procurement, focusing on school meals, city-operated food services, and other municipal programs. It is guided by the five core GFPP values: local economies, environmental sustainability, valued workforce, animal welfare, and nutrition. The GFPP in San Francisco aims to use the city’s procurement power to support a sustainable and equitable food system while improving public health. Methods include: - Integrating GFPP principles into procurement guidelines for schools and city-operated food programs. - Collaborating with regional food producers to meet GFPP standards. - Conducting regular evaluations to ensure compliance with program goals.
San Francisco adopted the GFPP in 2016, making it one of the first cities to commit to the program. The initiative was championed by local advocates, including the San Francisco Food Security Task Force and community organizations. The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) played a leading role in aligning its meal programs with GFPP standards, reflecting the city’s broader commitment to sustainability and equity.
The San Francisco Department of Public Health and SFUSD lead the implementation of GFPP, supported by the Office of Sustainability. Monitoring includes: - Regular assessments of food procurement practices. - Collaboration with the Center for Good Food Purchasing to evaluate progress. - Public reporting on outcomes and improvements in food procurement practices.
- Local Economy: SFUSD and city agencies have significantly increased procurement from regional farms and food producers. - Environmental Sustainability: Public meal programs prioritize sustainably sourced foods, including plant-based options, to reduce the carbon footprint of city food systems. - Nutrition: SFUSD has improved the nutritional quality of meals for thousands of students, emphasizing fresh and unprocessed ingredients. - Labor Standards: Ensured food suppliers meet fair labor practices, supporting ethical supply chains. San Francisco has made measurable progress, such as reducing food waste and increasing community engagement around food system improvements. Challenges include balancing costs with ambitious sustainability goals, but ongoing partnerships have sustained momentum.