Resource Library
Browse 100+ resources on food systems law and policy.
Optimizing Food Distributor Contracts to Achieve Local Food Procurement Targets
Throughout the US, state and local governments have established local food purchasing targets for food served in public institutions like schools, hospitals, or prisons. This guide offers public sector procurement teams options and strategies to adjust their contracting processes with food distributors to support these policy aims.
Topic: Institutional Procurement Policy, Food Safety Audience: Consumers, Policymakers, ResearchersFarm to School Policy Case Study: Arizona H.B. 2518
School gardens provide a valuable opportunity to incorporate fresh produce into school means and allow students to eat what they grow, but some areas prohibit the use of school garden produce in school cafeterias due to food safety restrictions. This is where state-level policies can step in to provide support. This case study, authored by VLGS alum Raina Goldstein Bunnag MFALP’24 and developed in partnership with National Farm to School Network, tells the story of Arizona’s law H.B. 2518, which established a statewide food safety certification program for school gardens and made it possible for Arizona schools to serve their own garden-grown produce.
Topic: Institutional Procurement Policy Audience: Community Organizations, Policymakers, ResearchersState Farm to School Policy Handbook: 2002–2023
The Handbook summarizes and analyzes every farm to school and early care and education (ECE) bill and resolution introduced from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2023, across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and US territories.
Topic: Institutional Procurement Policy, Healthy Food Access Audience: Community Organizations, Policymakers, ResearchersState and Local Government Policy Options to Increase Procurement of Locally Grown Cultural Foods in Maui County, Hawai’i, and Beyond
This issue brief explores legislative policy opportunities at the state and local government level to increase the procurement of locally grown foods that hold cultural significance for groups of individuals who share a common cultural bond.
Topic: Institutional Procurement Policy, Healthy Food Access Audience: Community Organizations, Consumers, Policymakers, Processors & Distributors, ResearchersBoston’s Good Food Purchasing Policy, Part 2
This case study examines how the Boston's largest food purchaser, Boston Public Schools, has updated its procurement process according to the Good Food Purchasing Policy.
Topic: Institutional Procurement Policy Audience: Community Organizations, Policymakers, ResearchersThe State of Prison Food in New England
This report examines the laws and policies that shape food in New England’s publicly operated correctional facilities. It offers recommendations for advocates and policymakers to ensure nutritious and safe meals while improving how prison food is sourced and served.
Topic: Institutional Procurement Policy, Food Labels Audience: Community Organizations, Policymakers, ResearchersDefining Local Food
From a legal standpoint, what is "local" food? This report describes the various definitions for "local" or other analogous terms used in state laws meant to incentivize or otherwise promote the purchase of agricultural products that meet those definitions. The appendix includes a 50-state scan of "local food" definitions.
Topic: Institutional Procurement Policy Audience: Community Organizations, PolicymakersState Farm to School Policy Handbook 2002–2020
This resource summarizes and analyzes Farm to School bills and resolutions introduced between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2020, from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories.
Topic: Institutional Procurement Policy Audience: Community Organizations, Policymakers, ResearchersNew England State Local Food Procurement Policy Scan
This policy scan outlines key institutional procurement policies in each of the New England states. The policies include local purchasing preferences, small purchase thresholds, farm to school programs, and state food policy councils.
Topic: Institutional Procurement Policy Audience: Community Organizations, Policymakers, ResearchersRegional Trends in New England Farm to Institution Procurement Policy
This report compiles and distills the findings of six state snapshots and makes recommendations on how the states can work together to increase the amount of local food purchased by institutions throughout New England.
Topic: Institutional Procurement Policy, Healthy Food Access Audience: Community Organizations, Policymakers, ResearchersBoston’s Good Food Purchasing Policy, Part 1
This case study examines how Boston passed an ordinance that requires city agencies and departments to use a values-based procurement framework, with a strong emphasis on racial and economic justice.
Topic: Institutional Procurement Policy Audience: Community Organizations, Policymakers, ResearchersInstitutional Procurement of Local Food
These snapshots exploring demand-side policies in New England that support public institutions' ability to increase purchases of local food.