Understanding Healthy Procurement

State and local governments play an essential role in supporting healthy communities in California. One important strategy that policymakers and decisionmakers can leverage is improving the food that governments serve and sell. 

In California, government entities procure food to provide meals in schools, public universities and colleges, childcare centers, public hospitals, jails, and senior programs. They also offer food for sale to employees and the public in government facilities. Procuring healthy and nutritious foods can make healthy eating easier and improve the physical and mental health of employees, clients, patients, students, patrons, visitors, and nearby residents.

Understanding Healthy Procurement provides an overview of government procurement, with an emphasis on healthy procurement policies and practices. It explains how government procurement policies work, and how establishing policies to improve the nutritional value of food that governments or their contractors buy, serve, or sell can improve public health, lower overall costs, and set an example for private sector entities to follow. Lastly, it explores how healthy procurement policies are set at the state and local levels, including through legislation, executive orders, and administrative standards. 

By adopting healthy procurement policies and practices, governments can provide healthier food to community members and make a positive impact on community health.

For related procurement resources, please read our case studies on Food Procurement and Healthy Beverage Procurement.