Public Institutions: Draft Food Service Management Contracts

When a public institution hires a management company, it is outsourcing part, or all, of its food service operations. This delegation gives the management company significant responsibility and flexibility in food purchasing. Therefore, when drafting the food service contract, it is important to make requirements clear and specific to best ensure compliance with values-based procurement provisions.

Incorporating values-based procurement requirements into the food service contract ensures that the institution’s food purchasing guidelines are binding on the management company. In this way, an institution can use the food service contract to mandate values-based procurement practices and ensure that its goals are met.