External Resources Index
Explore external tools, research, and references that support values-based procurement work.
Tools for
Infrastructure
Sample Food Handling Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), The Lunch Box
External LinkServing Healthy School Meals: U.S. Schools Need Updated Kitchen Equipment, The Pew Charitable Trusts & Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (Dec. 2013)
External LinkPersonnel
3 Strategies to Build Your Procurement Dream Team, HKS Government Performance Lab
External LinkFood Purchasing: Assemble the Team, Practice Greenhealth
External LinkFood Service Toolkit: Food Service Personnel, Farm to Institution New England (2016)
External LinkHow to Structure Procurement Teams: To be Centralized or Decentralized?, HKS Government Performance Lab
External LinkHow to Structure Procurement Teams: What Roles and Services to Provide, HKS Government Performance Lab
External LinkIntro to Farm to School: Planning and Building a Team, U.S. Department of Agriculture
External LinkRiley Neugebauer, 12 Tips for Getting Your Dining Staff on Board with Local Food, Farm to Institution New England (Nov. 6, 2016)
External LinkValue Chain Coordination Evaluation Guide, Food Systems Leadership Network
External LinkProcurement
Change Lab Solutions State Laws Promoting Use of Locally Grown Food and Agricultural Products in Public Contracts, (2011)
External LinkFarm to Institution New England, Leveraging Contracts for Local Food Procurement: A Guide for Institutions that Work with Food Service Management Companies, (2015)
External LinkFarm to Institution New England, Setting the Table for Success: A Toolkit for Increasing Local Food Purchasing by Institutional Food Service Management
External LinkFood from Farms: Toolkit for Direct Purchasing of Local Food, University of Minnesota
External LinkGood Food Purchasing Program, Landscape Assessment Worksheet, (2021)
External LinkHannah Louie, Beyond Nutrition: A Landscape Analysis of Values-Based Procurement Among Food Service Management Companies, Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (October 2019)
External LinkJames Kennemer, Group Purchasing Organizations (GPO) vs. Direct Procurement//Which is Better for Healthcare Sourcing?, Cosmo Sourcing (2024)
External LinkNoel Bielaczyc, et al., Findings of the 2021 National Food Hub Survey Report, Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems at 14-15 (2023)
External LinkSurvey of State Procurement Practices Report, National Association of State Procurement Officials 22 (2022)
External LinkThe Role of Food Hubs in Local Marketing, USDA 5 (Jan 2013)
External LinkUSDA, Procuring Local Foods for Child Nutrition Programs (2022)
External LinkPurchasing Commitment
Emily Hennessee, What are Forward Commitments?, The Common Market
External LinkProcuring Local Foods for Child Nutrition Programs, USDA at 20 (“Menu Planning”) (2022)
External LinkThe Center for Good Food Purchasing, Solicitations Toolkit (2022)
External LinkPublic Institutions Network (aka VBP Learning Network)
Made up of public officials from around the country, this network of leaders support each other to implement values-based food purchasing policies in their hospitals, schools, correctional facilities, senior centers and other food program sites. The network has guided, informed and tested the tools and approaches that make up this toolkit. Founded by the ID Food Systems Action Lab, the VBP Learning Network is now hosted by Partners for Public Good.