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  • 8/7/2019 Food Alliance Sustainable Food Policy Guide

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    A Guide to Developing a

    Sustainable Food Purchasing Policy

    Associaon for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Educaon

    Food Alliance

    Health Care Without HarmInstute for Agricultural Trade and Policy

    Oregon Center for Environmental Health

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    Acknowledgments

    ThisprojectwasdirectedbyFoodAlliancewithfundingfromtheRussellFamilyFoundation.

    TheguidewasauthoredbyMatthewBuckatFoodAlliance,withpreliminaryresearchandinterviews

    contractedtoJohnStoddardattheOregonCenterforEnvironmentalHealth.

    Thefollowingindividualsalsocontributedtotheguide:

    RobertaAnderson,FoodAlliance

    JulianDautremontSmith,AssociationfortheAdvancementofSustainabilityinHigherEducation

    JamieHarvie,HealthCareWithoutHarm

    MarieKulick,InstituteforAgricultureandTradePolicy

    NehaPatel,OregonCenterforEnvironmentalHealth

    EmmaSirois,OregonCenterforEnvironmentalHealth

    JudyWalton,AssociationfortheAdvancementofSustainabilityinHigherEducation

    Thanksarealsoduetothemanyorganizationsandagenciesthatsharedtheirexperienceswithsustainable

    foodpurchasingandpolicydevelopment,andthathavepostedmaterialsforreviewat:www.SustainableFoodPolicy.org

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    TableofContents

    Introduction................................................................................................................................................... 4

    Definingsustainablepurchasing................................................................................................................... 5

    TheImportanceofSustainableFoodPurchasing.......................................................................................... 5

    BenefitsofSustainableFoodPurchasing...................................................................................................... 6

    BenefitsofaSustainableFoodPurchasingPolicy......................................................................................... 6

    DevelopingaSustainablePurchasingPolicy................................................................................................. 6

    1. SettheStageforSuccess...................................................................................................... 7

    2. IdentifythePartiesandNatureoftheEffort........................................................................ 7

    3. EstablishaVision.................................................................................................................. 7

    4. AnticipateChallengesIdentifyandPrioritizeOpportunities............................................. 8

    5. EstablishStrategies,StandardsandComplianceMechanisms............................................. 9

    6. EstablishaBaseline............................................................................................................. 10

    7. SetGoals............................................................................................................................. 11

    8. CreateanActionPlan......................................................................................................... 12

    9. CreateanEvaluationPlan................................................................................................... 12

    10.CommunicateYourEffortandYourAccomplishments...................................................... 13

    Conclusion................................................................................................................................................... 13

    Appendix:CommonFoodRelatedClaimsandCertifications..................................................................... 14

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    INTRODUCTION

    Universities,colleges,hospitalsandotherinstitutionsthroughouttheUnitedStatesarestartingtothinkseriouslyabout

    theimpactofpurchasingontheenvironment,humanhealth,labor,animalwelfareandotherconcerns.Itisincreasingly

    clearthat,asmissiondrivenorganizationscommittedtothepublicgood,theseinstitutionscanbeimportantenginesfor

    developmentofmoresociallyandenvironmentallyresponsibleproductsandservices.Thisisespeciallyclearintherealm

    offoodanddiningservices.

    Thisdocumentisintendedtohelpuniversities,colleges,hospitals,andotherinstitutionsaswellasthoseadvocatingfor

    foodsystemchangecreate,promoteandimplementpracticalsustainablefoodpurchasingpolicies.Itdrawsfromthe

    successesandlessonslearnedbyavarietyofinstitutions,andfromtheexperienceofforprofitandnonprofitpartners

    thathaveworkedwithinstitutionsinthisarena.Thisdocumentdoesnotpromoteanyparticularpolicypositions,but

    ratheroffersaframeworktohelpyoudeveloppoliciesthatwillbemeaningfulandachievableforyourinstitution.

    ThisdocumentisaproductoftheSustainableFoodPolicyProject,whichwasinitiatedin2006tosupporteffortsby

    educational,healthcareandotherinstitutionstohaveapositiveimpactonthefoodsystemthroughpurchasing.The

    Projecthasthreeprimaryobjectives:

    1. Tocollectandsharesamplefoodpurchasingpoliciesaddressingarangeofsocialandenvironmentalconcerns,aswellasrelatedrequestsforinformation(RFIs),requestsforproposals(RFPs)andcontractlanguage.

    2.

    To

    identify

    and

    outline

    sustainable

    food

    purchasing

    policy

    options,

    the

    implications

    of

    these

    policies

    for

    institutions,andtheirpotentialforbeneficialimpactsonthefoodsystem.

    3. Toshareinsightsonthepolicydevelopmentprocess,andontheimplementationandevaluationofsustainablefoodpurchasingpolicies,drawingfromtheexperienceofrepresentatives,constituentsandstakeholdersof

    institutionsthathavegonedownthisroad.

    Participatingorganizationsinclude:

    AssociationfortheAdvancementofSustainabilityinHigherEducation,amembershipbasedassociationofcollegesanduniversitiesintheU.S.andCanadaworkingtocreateasustainablefuture.

    FoodAlliance,anonprofitorganizationthatcreatesmarketincentivesforsociallyandenvironmentallyresponsibleagriculturalpractices,andthateducatesbusinessleadersandotherfoodsystemstakeholdersonthe

    multiplebenefitsofsustainableagriculture.

    HealthCareWithoutHarm,aglobalcoalitionof443organizationsin52countriesworkingtoprotecthealthbyreducingpollutioninthehealthcareindustry.

    InstituteforAgricultureandTradePolicy,anonprofitorganizationthatpromotesresilientfamilyfarms,ruralcommunitiesandecosystemsaroundtheworldthroughresearchandeducation,scienceandtechnology,and

    advocacy.

    OregonCenterforEnvironmentalHealth,amembershiporganizationdedicatedtoprotectingpublichealthandtheenvironmentthroughcommunityactiontoeliminatetoxicpollutants.

    Moreinformationandsamplepurchasingpoliciescanbefoundatwww.SustainableFoodPolicy.org.

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    DEFINING SUSTAINABLE PURCHASING

    TheUnitedNationsWorldCommissiononEnvironmentandDevelopmentdefinessustainabilityasensuringthatwe

    meetourneedswithoutcompromisingtheabilityoffuturegenerationstomeettheirownneeds.Fromapurchasing

    perspective,thismeansconsideringnotonlythecostandqualityofproducts,butalsosocialandenvironmentalfactors

    associatedwitheachpurchase.Asapracticalmatter,itrequiresseekingbothvalueandtosatisfyvalues,whileassuring

    thesecurityandcontinuityofsupplyandthesmoothoperationofthefacility.

    Withincreasedflowsofinformationaboutproductneeds,productqualities,buyerinterestsandsuppliercapacities,

    sustainablepurchasingisthebasisforcontinuedeffortstoaddvaluetoproducts,andtoimprovesocialand

    environmental

    performance

    throughout

    the

    supply

    chain.

    It

    can

    also

    facilitate

    more

    mutually

    beneficial

    relationships

    betweenbuyersandsellers.

    THE IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE FOOD PURCHASING

    Agricultureandfoodprocessinganddistributionarearguablythecornerstoneofanyeconomy.Foodisabasichuman

    need.Itconditionshumanhealth,andisoneofourmostdirectconnectionstotheenvironment.Afterall,youarewhat

    youeat!Examiningfoodandagriculturethroughthelensofsustainabilityrevealsacomplexwebofinterrelatedissues.A

    partiallistincludes:

    LaborissuesAgricultureandfoodprocessingareamongthemostdifficult,mostdangerous,andlowestpaidoccupationsintheUS.

    AnimalwelfareImproperconfinementandhandlingofanimalscancausestress,pain,injuriesandchronicdisease,allcontributingtoanimalmortality.

    HormonesandnontherapeuticantibioticsUsedtopromoteanimalgrowthandproductivity,thesetreatmentscanresultinantibioticresistantbacteriaandotherhumanhealthconcerns.

    GeneticmodificationofcropsandlivestockWithlimitedlongtermtestingofGMOs,theprecautionaryprincipleraisesconcernsforpotentialhumanhealthandenvironmentalimpacts.

    ToxicityConventionalagriculturereliesheavilyonpesticides,herbicides,andfungicides,which,usedimproperly,threatenbothhumanandenvironmentalhealth.

    WaterconservationandqualityAgriculturerepresents84%offreshwaterusedintheUS.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencystudiesalsoidentifyagricultureastheleadingsourceofgroundandsurfacewater

    contamination.

    SoilconservationandhealthTillage,windandwatererosion,anduseofsoilfumigantsandotherchemicalsallcontributetodepletionofsoils.

    GlobalwarmingAgricultureisaknownsourceofnitrogenfromsoildegradation,methanefromanimalwaste,ozonedepletingchemicals,carbondioxidefromfarmequipmentandtransportation,andadditionalenergyis

    usedforfoodprocessing,packagingandrefrigeration.

    ProtectionofwildlifeNinetypercentofthreatenedspeciesintheUSareknowntospendsomeportionoftheirlifecycleonprivatelyownedagriculturallands.

    LocaleconomiesFamilyscaleagricultureandfoodprocessingareundersignificanteconomicpressureduetoconsolidationinindustry,andincreasinglyinternationaltrade.

    FoodqualityandsafetyConcernshavebeenraisedforfoodadditivesusedtoextendshelflifeorenhancecolorandflavor,forcontaminants,andforfoodborneillnesseslikeecoli.

    DietrelatedhealthconcernsDietiscloselylinkedwiththeincreasingincidenceofobesity,diabetes,highbloodpressure,andotherpreventablecausesofsicknessanddeath.

    Fortunately,

    we

    have

    choices.

    There

    are

    a

    number

    of

    more

    socially

    and

    environmentally

    responsible

    product

    options.

    Thesemaynotalwaysappearonordersheetspresentedbymainlinedistributorsorfoodserviceprovidersbutifyou

    ask,youmaybesurprisedbywhatspossible!

    Theunprecedentedattentionbeingpaidtofoodqualityandfoodoriginsinjustthelastfewyearshasacceleratedefforts

    byfarmers,ranchers,foodprocessors,wholesaledistributorsandgrouppurchasingorganizations(GPOs)tobetter

    understandandaddresssocialandenvironmentalconcerns,whilealsomeetingqualityexpectationsandprice

    constraints.Suppliersmakingthetransitiontomoresociallyandenvironmentallyresponsiblefoodsneedyour

    institutionssupport.Thoseconsideringitneedyourencouragement.

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    BENEFITS OF SUSTAINABLE FOOD PURCHASING

    Asyouestablishyoursustainablepurchasingprogramlookforbenefitsonavarietyoflevels:

    Improveinformationflowandrelationshipswithsuppliers Meetorexceedqualityandcostexpectations(yes,itsabsolutelypossible!) Reduceriskorliabilityexposurerelatedtoenvironmental,socialandhealthconcerns Avoidnegativepublicityassociatedwithpurchasingproblemproducts Reducewasteandwastedisposalcharges Contributetotheorganizationalmission(educationorhealthservicesorganizations) Setapositiveexamplesforstudents,patientsandotherconstituentsorstakeholders Delivermoraleandhealthbenefitsforemployeesandstudents/patients/customers Getcreditforhelpingimprovesocialandenvironmentalperformancebysuppliers Demonstrateorganizationalvaluesandimprovepublicrelations Realizemarketingadvantagesoverlessproactivecompetitors

    BENEFITS OF A SUSTAINABLE FOOD PURCHASING POLICY

    Thereareagrowingnumberofsuccessfulprojectsaroundtheworldthatarebringingmoresustainablefoodto

    institutions.However,todate,veryfewinstitutionshaveformalpurchasingpoliciestoguideandsupportthese

    initiatives,andasaresulttheoverallimpactofmanyprojectshasbeenlimited. Adoptionofasustainablefood

    purchasingpolicyenablesinstitutionstomovefromisolatedprojects,sustainedbytheinterestandinvolvementofafew

    people,toaninstitutionalframeworkforunderstandingandmakingchangetowardsamoresustainablefoodsystem.

    Adoptionofasustainablefoodpurchasingpolicyoffersmanyimportantpotentialbenefits:

    Institutionalizegrassrootspurchasinginitiatives. Buildawarenessandsupportbydecisionmakers,budgetholdersandpurchasingstaff. Clarifygoals,expectationsandthelimitsofinitiatives. FacilitatecommunicationwithGPOs,suppliers,employees,students/patients,andthepublic. Establishaframeworkandtoolstodrivepurchasingdecisions. Specifyandjustifybiddingandcontractingprovisions. Createandrationalizeincentivesforchangebyfoodandfoodservicesuppliers. Addresspolicyconflictsandotherbarriersthathampermanyprojects. Createmechanismstocollectandassesscostandperformancedatatoguideefforts. Provideaclearpathforincreasingscopeandimpact.

    DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABLE PURCHASING POLICY

    Asuccessfulsustainablefoodpurchasingpolicywillbefullyintegratedwiththeoverallgoalsandobjectivesofthe

    institution.Itwillclearlystatetheinstitutionssocialandenvironmentalgoals,identifyprocurementstrategies,and

    commitresourcestothosestrategies.Itwillalsosettargetsandtimelines,andestablishmeansforevaluatingprogress

    andmakingcoursecorrections.

    Thefollowingstepswillhelpyoudevelopapracticalandeffectivesustainablefoodpurchasingpolicy:

    A.

    Set

    the

    Stage

    for

    Success

    B. IdentifythePartiesandNatureoftheEffortC. EstablishaVisionD. AnticipateChallenges,IdentifyandPrioritizeOpportunitiesE. IdentifyStrategies,StandardsandComplianceMechanismsF. EstablishaBaselineG. SetGoalsH. CreateanActionPlanI. CreateanEvaluationPlanJ. CommunicateYourEffortandYourAccomplishments

    Thesestepsareaddressedingreaterdetailbelow.

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    SettheStageforSuccess

    Asimportantasthecontentofthepolicyistheownershipandcommitmentofleadersandstaffatalllevels.Thepolicy

    musthavethebackingofseniormanagement.Responsibilityforitsimplementationmustbeallocatedtostaffwho

    understandandacceptitsimportance,andareempoweredtoseeitthrough.Andthepolicymustbecommunicated

    throughouttheorganization,andtoallsuppliersandconstituents.

    Asnoted,manyinstitutionsstartdownthisroadwithaprojectinitiatedbyasmallgrouporevenasingleindividual.The

    successofthatprojectoftencreatesinterest,givesasenseofpossibility,andleadstolargerinstitutionalcommitments.If

    yourinstitutionhasnoexperiencewithsustainablepurchasing,youmaywanttostartwithaprojectnotapolicyor

    takeextracaretosetrealistic,achievablegoals.Atthepointyouthinkyourinstitutionisreadytostepuptoaformalsustainablepurchasingpolicy,itsimportanttolay

    groundworkinordertoensureapositiveoutcome.

    Identifymanagement,staff,constituentandstakeholderneedsandinterests.Whatissuesandpotentialoutcomeswillinspireengagement?Whatbarriers(realorperceived)willlimit

    enthusiasmandparticipation?

    EngageinstitutionalleadersatalllevelsPeopleinmanagement,involvedinplanningandbudgeting,inoperations,inpurchasing,oronthefrontlinecan

    eitherhelporhinderefforts.Besuretotouchbaseearlyintheprocesstounderstandandaddresstheir

    concerns,toheartheirsuggestions,andtosolicittheirparticipation.

    Identifysustainabilitychampions.Whohasapersonalorprofessionalinterest,thepositionandtheskillstoadvocateforandleadtheeffort?

    IdentifyalliesYouwillnotmakethemovetosustainabilityalone.Yourcurrentvendorsandserviceprovidersmaybeeagertohelp.Whatotherforprofitandnonprofitpartnershavetheknowledgeandresourcestohelp

    yougatherinformation,andsetandachievegoals?

    IdentifythePartiesandNatureoftheEffort

    Ifthestagehasbeensetproperly,youalreadyhaveasuccessfulprojectandagroupofpeopleworkinginandassociated

    withyourinstitutionwhoareinterestedintakingthingstothenextlevel.Agoodfirststepisformalizingthatinterestand

    therolethegroupintendstoplayindevelopingandimplementingthenewpolicy.

    Identifytheindividualsandorganizationsthatarepartytodevelopmentofthepolicysothatthereistransparencyintermsoftheinterestsrepresentedinthegroup.

    Describehowthegroupwasformedandanycriteriaformembership. Describethegroupscharterandanylimitstodecisionmakingauthority.Ifthepartiesareadvocatesforchange

    butnotdirectlyempoweredtosetpolicyfortheinstitutionthatsfine,butitshouldbeclearlystated.

    Identifyanyindividualsorentitieswithfinalauthoritytoreviewandapprovethepolicy.

    EstablishaVision

    Thevisionshouldoutlinetheinstitutionsinterestinsupportingamoresustainablefoodsystemanditsconnectionto

    thatsystem.Thisstatementwillideallytiedirectlytotheoverallmissionoftheinstitution.Makeabigpicture

    statementoftheinstitutionsvaluesandlongtermgoals.Dontgetboggeddownconsideringstrategiesatthispoint.

    Focusonvaluesanddesiredoutcomes.

    Dontjustrecycleageneralstatementaboutsustainability.Considerthefullrangeofissuesthathavebeendiscussed.Whatarethepriorityconcernsforpeopleinyourinstitution?Writeastatementthatspeaksdirectly

    tothoseconcerns.Ifyouvedoneyourhomeworkandunderstandtheneedsandperspectivesrepresentedin

    yourinstitution,youalreadyhaveagoodsenseofwhatismotivatinginterestandparticipationinthisprocess.

    Dontconfusemeanswithends.Thereisatendencyindiscussionofsustainablefoodsystemstoreducetheissuestosupportlocalandorganicfoods.Localandorganicfoodsrepresentmeanstoendstheendsbeing

    outcomessuchashealthierfood,thrivinglocaleconomies,ameliorationofglobalwarming,orreductionsin

    pesticideuseandtoxicity.Focusingonlocalororganicasendsinthemselvesmayhavetheunintended

    consequenceofprecludingotheropportunitiesforprogress.Yourpolicyshouldencouragecreativityand

    entrepreneurshipinachievementofgoals,notlimitoptions.

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    Trytotakeaholisticviewofsustainability.Intheearlygoing,lookcloselyatanyexistinginstitutionalpoliciesandassessthepotentialforoverlaporconflict.Ideally,theinstitutionshouldnothaveseparatepoliciesfor

    health,laborconcerns,toxics,animalwelfare,energyusage,recyclingandwastemanagement,green

    procurement,etc.Trytointegrateallrelevantconcernsforfood,foodprocurement,andfoodservicefacilitiesin

    onepolicy.

    Asanexampleofavisionstatement,KaiserPermanente,thenationslargestnonprofithealthcareprovider,has

    publishedthefollowing:

    KaiserPermanenteaspirestoimprovethehealthofourmembers,employees,ourcommunitiesandtheenvironmentbyincreasingaccesstofresh,healthyfoodinandaroundKPfacilities. Wewillpromoteagriculturalpracticesthatareecologicallysound,economicallyviableandsociallyresponsiblebythewaywepurchasefood.

    Asahealthcareprovider,KaiserPermanentespriorityfocusishealth,includingfresh,healthyfoodinandaroundtheir

    facilitiesbuttheyrecognizeotherwaysinwhichpurchasingcansupportbroaderfoodsystemsintereststhatcontribute

    totheirhealthvision.

    AnticipateChallengesIdentifyandPrioritizeOpportunities

    Settinggoalsthatarebothmeaningfulandachievablewillrequireaclearunderstandingofyourinstitutionscapacities

    andlimits,howitrelatestofoodproductionanddistributionsystems,theabilityofGPOs,suppliersandpartnerstohelp

    meetitsneeds,anditsopportunitiestoreallymakeadifference.

    Itpaystobecandidaboutdifficultiesthatyourinstitutionmayfaceinimplementingasustainablefoodpurchasingpolicy.

    Anticipatingchallengesisthefirststeptoovercomingthem.Besuretoconsider:

    PartnerConstraintsThecapacityandwillingnessofcurrentfoodserviceproviders,wholesalevendorsand/orGPOstohelptheinstitutionmeetobjectivesmayvary.Willtheinstitutionneednewpartnerstoachieveits

    goals?

    ContractandPolicyBarriersTheremaybefoodservicecontracts,primevendorcontracts,vendorapprovalrequirementssuchasproductliabilityinsurance,orrelatedbarrierstosustainablepurchasing.Whatchangescan

    bemadewhenthetimecomestorenegotiate?

    PhysicalLimitationsStorageandcookingfacilitiesmayneedupgrades.

    The

    Learning

    Curve

    Staff

    may

    require

    additional

    skills

    or

    training

    to

    perform

    successfully.

    BudgetaryConstraintsTheremaybeinvestmentcostsassociatedwithimplementingnewrequirements,eveniftherearelongtermcostsavings.

    Itisalsoimportanttorecognizeongoingmanagementchallenges,suchas:

    SupplyConstraintsItmaybechallengingtoprocuresuppliesofproductsonayearroundbasisthatmeetspecificationsforsocialandenvironmentalperformance,aswellasexpectationsforform,volume,price,and

    deliveryterms.

    ComplexityWilltherebemorevendors?Willyourinstitutionbuydirectlyfromfarmers?Willseasonalavailabilitycomplicateinventoryandordering?Willmenushavetochangemoreregularly?Willdeliveriesbe

    moreorlessfrequent?

    IntegrationofSocialandEnvironmentalConcernsintoProcurementYourinstitutionsabilitytopassongoingcostincreasesontofoodservicecustomersmaybelimited.Howwilltheinstitutionweighsocialand

    environmentalfactorsagainstcostandotherconcernsinevaluatingserviceandsupplycontractsandspot

    purchases?

    TrackingandReportingHowwillperformancebemeasured,evaluatedandrewarded?Remember whatgetsmeasuredgetsdone.

    Theseorotherchallengesmaylimittheinstitutionsscopeofactivitiesinitially,butrestassuredthateverychallenge

    eventuallyfindsasolutionandthereareabundantopportunitiesforprogress.

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    Tonavigatethechallengesyouencounter:

    FocusonCoreNeedsandInterestsWhatwillmotivatemanagementandstafftomakeneededchanges?Whatwilladdthemostvaluefortheinstitution?

    IdentifyAvailableResourcesThinkaboutbothfinancialandnonfinancialresources. IdentifyStrengthsWheredoyoualreadyhaveskillsandcapacity? IdentifyOpportunitiesforQuickImpactWhatarepotentialeasywins? IdentifyOpportunitiesforGreatestImpactWhatwillreallymakeadifference?

    Workingthroughtheseandsimilarquestionsshouldhelptheinstitutiontightenitsfocustoafewkeyissuesand

    opportunities.Thiswillconcentrateeffortsandincreasethelikelihoodofsuccessfulimplementation.Outlineyourpriority

    concernsandwhytheinstitutioniswellpositionedtoaddressthosepriorities.Buildacasefortakingactionthat

    recognizesassetsavailabletotheinstitution,aswellaschallengesthatitmayface.

    Recognizethatyouareengagedinaprocessofrecruitinginterest,demonstratingsuccess,andchallengingpeopleto

    imaginewhatispossible.Dontsacrificethepossibilityofincrementalgainsfortheprospectofaperfect,butultimately

    unrealistic,policy.

    Dontworryaboutgettingeverythingyouwantnow.Additionalissuescanbebroughtbackforconsiderationasthe

    institutiondevelopsitstrackrecordanditsconfidenceandnewopportunitieswillemergeintheprocessof

    implementation.

    Forthoseinstitutionsthathaveaconstituencythatchangesovertime,suchasuniversitiesandcollegeswithcohortsofstudents,recognizethateachgenerationwillneedanopportunitytoexpressitsinterests.Expectationswillchange.This

    isgood.Itshowwemakeprogress.

    TheBereaCollegeLocalFoodsInitiativeconductedanextensiveanalysisandmadedetailedrecommendationsforthe

    collegefollowingasimilarprocesstothatoutlinedhere.Acopyofthedocumentcanbefoundat:

    www.berea.edu/localfoodinitiative/documents/ACreportFINAL.pdf

    EstablishStrategies,StandardsandComplianceMechanisms

    Withavisionandprioritiesinplace,nowitstimetoimaginehowyourinstitutionssustainablefoodpolicywillplayout

    ontheground.

    Strategiesforpromotingamoresustainablefoodsystemwillultimatelyhavetobereflectedinguidelinesand

    specificationsprovidedtopurchasers.Purchasingstaffwillhavetorequestinformationfromserviceproviders,

    wholesalers,foodprocessorsandfarmersandranchersabouttheoriginandnatureofproducts.Informationandclaims

    aboutproductswillhavetobeevaluatedtocategorizeandqualifypurchases.Asyoulistyourstrategies,itisimportantto

    beasclearasyoucanaboutyourpriorities,andtowhatstandardspurchasers,serviceprovidersandsupplierswillbe

    held.Itisalsocriticaltothinkthroughhowyouwillassesscomplianceandperformance.

    Asanexample,KaiserPermanentessustainablefoodpurchasinginitiativeincludesthefollowingstrategies(partiallist

    only):

    Wewillencourageourvendorstosupplyuswithfoodthatis,amongotherattributes,producedwithoutsyntheticpesticidesandhormones,orantibioticsgiventoanimalsintheabsenceofdiagnoseddisease.

    Wewillworkwithourfoodsuppliers,localfarmers,andcommunitybasedorganizationstoincreasetheavailabilityoflocallysourcedfood,whenseasonalitypermits,inorderto: reducenegative

    environmentalimpactsbydecreasingthedistancefoodtravelsfromfarmtoplate;improvethe

    economicvitalityofcommunitiesinandaroundKPserviceareas;andincreasethefreshnessoffruits

    andvegetablesthatenterKPsfoodsupply.

    WerecognizeexplicitandorderedprioritiesinKPscomprehensivefoodpolicy. First,weseektoincreasetheavailabilityandconsumptionoffreshfruitsandvegetables. Oursecondpriorityisto

    purchasefoodthatisfreefrompesticides,hormonesandnontherapeuticantibiotics. Ourthirdpriority

    istoincreasetheproportionofKPfoodthatislocallysourced.

    Anychangesinourfoodpurchasingpoliciesandpracticeswillminimizeoperationalimpacts,beeconomicallyviableand,wheneverpossible,becostneutral.

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    Itiscriticaltodevelopclear,operationaldefinitionsforanytermsthatwillhavebearinginsolicitationsforbidsand

    contractsorinroutinepurchasing.Termsthatmayneeddefinitioninclude:sustainable,sociallyresponsible,

    environmentallyresponsible,fair,local,orhumane.

    Makesurethatdefinitionsoftermsarepractical,withbothclearcriteriaandafeasiblemeansfordetermining

    compliancewiththestatedstandard.Itmayalsobevaluabletoestablishameanstomeasureprogressagainstascaled

    standardsothatsuperiorperformancebycontractorsandvendorscanberecognizedandrewarded.

    Anumberofcompaniesaremakingeffortstodifferentiatetheirfoodproductsbasedonsocialandenvironmentalclaims,

    oronspecificproductclaimssuchashormonefree.Becareful.Someproductclaimshavenostandardindustry

    definitionsandpracticesmayvarydependingonthesupplier. Others,likenatural,haveastandardindustrydefinition,

    butaresoweakastobeessentiallymeaningless.

    Verificationofcomplianceisacriticalissue.Oncestandardshavebeenestablished,andtermsdefined,thepolicymustbe

    clearwhatconstitutesadequatedemonstrationofcompliance.

    Therearetypicallythreemeansforestablishingcompliance:

    Firstpartyclaimsusuallyastatementmadebytheproducer,sometimeswithasignedaffidavit; Secondpartyclaimsoftenastatementbyanindustryassociationonbehalfofagroupof

    growers/manufacturers,orbyabusinessintermediaryonbehalfofasubsupplier; Thirdpartycertificationanindependentinspectiontoverifyproductclaims.

    Productsthataresubjecttofirstpartyandsecondpartyclaimscanoffermeaningfulandmeasurablesocialand

    environmentalbenefits.However,thirdpartycertificationprovidesthehighestdegreeofconfidencethatstandardshave

    beenmet.Thirdpartycertificationsforagriculturalproductsinclude:CertifiedHumane,FoodAlliance,USDAOrganic,and

    ProtectedHarvest. ThesecertificationsaredeemedHighlyMeaningfulbyConsumersUnionGuidetoEnvironmental

    Labels.Visitwww.ecolabels.orgtolearnmoreaboutwhatmakesagoodecolabel.SeeAppendix1formoredetailed

    informationonsomecommonfoodrelatedclaimsandcertifications.

    Yourinstitutionmayenduprelyingonacombinationofthirdpartycertification,commonlyusedmarketingclaims(ex.

    rBSTfree)whichmayormaynothaveaverificationcomponent,and/oronstandardsdevelopedinternally(ex.defining

    localasaradiusof150miles).

    Generally,becarefulthattheinstitutionisnotputinthepositionofhavingtoindependentlyverifythecomplianceof

    contractorsandvendorswiththeselectedstandards.Thisoftenrequiresspecificexpertiseandcanoffersignificant

    administrativeandlogisticalchallenges.

    Itisalsogenerallynotadvisabletoadoptanystandardthatonlyrepresentscompliancewithexistingregulationorlaw

    (ex.askingsupplierstomeetminimumwagerequirements).Thisdoesnotcreateanyincentiveforimproving

    performanceagainstsocialorenvironmentalcriteria.Nor,inmostinstances,willtheinstitutionhaveanymeansof

    verifyingcompliancewithlaw.

    EstablishaBaseline

    Establishingbaselinedataallowsthedevelopmentofrealisticandchallenginggoalsfortheinstitution.Youwillwantto

    outlinehowtheinstitutioniscurrentlyperforming,howthatestimatewasdeveloped,andwhatadditionalinformationwouldbedesirabletoconfirmperformance.

    Itisacceptableforthebaselinetobeestimatedfromavailabledataorthejudgmentofknowledgeableinformantsin

    procurementorvendormanagementbutbesuretoconsultyourserviceprovidersandsuppliers.Morethanone

    institutionhaslearnedaftersettingagoalthattheywerealreadyexceedingit!

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    SET GOALS

    Whereareyougoing?Howfastdoyouthinkyoucangetthere?Definingcleargoalswillhelpyoutotrackandreport

    success.

    Goalsforpercentageoftotalpurchasesmaybeassignedforcategoriessuchasfreshproduce,dairyproducts,meat

    products,drygoodsorprocessedfoodsorevenforsingleproducts(suchasgroundbeef,wheatflour,milkinpint

    cartons,orfreshstrawberries).Forexample,PortlandStateUniversitysetthefollowinggoalsforlocalpurchasing:

    Goalscanalsobetieredaccordingtoproductcharacteristics,withpurchasingpreferenceslistedfrommosttoleast

    favored.Forexample,YaleUniversityhasestablishedahierarchyofpreferencesaddressinggeography,farmownership

    andpractices.

    Yalespurchasingpreferencesarefurtherspecifiedtohelppurchasersmakedecisionsacrosscategories.

    Thinkthroughwhetherthereisanyhierarchytoyourgoalsandhowtheyinterrelate.

    Breakoutyourgoalstothedegreepossibleinordertobeabletomeasureperformanceoneachgoalseparately(i.e.

    percentageofmilkthatisrBSTfree,percentageofmilkfromlocaldairies,andpercentageofmilkfromdairiesthatare

    CertifiedHumane).Avoidcompoundgoals(i.e.percentageofrBSTfreemilkfromlocaldairiesthatareCertifiedHumane),

    whichcancomplicateverification,limitprogressonindividualmeasures,andmakeyeartoyearcomparisonsand

    comparisonsbetweencategoriesandproductsdifficult.

    FirstTier(rankedinorderofpreference)

    Connecticutorganic ConnecticutIPM RegionalOrganic RegionalIPM Connecticutconventionalsmallscaleoperation Regionalconventionalsmallscaleoperation Connecticutconventionalmediumscaleoperation

    Maintainminimumannuallevelsoflocalfoodsprocurement(localtobedefinedasproductsgrownandprocessedinthe

    Northwest(Oregon,Washington,IdahoandNorthernCalifornia)withanemphasisonOregonandWashingtongrownand

    processedproductswitha150mileradiusofthecampus.Westrivetoexceedtheseminimumstothefullestextent

    economicallypossible:

    I. 30%annualaverageoftotalcostofsales,increasingat2%peryearII. 30%annualaverageoffruitsandvegetablespurchased,increasingat2%peryearIII. 100%milkanddairyproductsIV. 100%eggsV. 50%flourpurchased,increasingwheneconomicallyviableVI. 50%beefpurchased,increasingwheneconomicallyviableVII. 15%poultrypurchased,increasingwheneconomicallyviableVIII. 30%porkpurchased,increasingwheneconomicallyviableIX. 100%salmonandtunaprocuredinaccordancewiththeMonterreyBayAquariumSeafoodWatchsustainable

    fisheriesguide.

    SecondTier(rankedinorderofpreference)

    Regionalconventionalmediumscaleoperation USorganicsmall/mediumscaleoperation USIPMsmall/mediumscaleoperation Connecticutconventionallargescaleoperation USorganiclargescaleoperation USIPMLargescaleoperation Internationalorganic USConventional

    Desirability

    HIGH

    LOW

    Geography

    Connecticut

    Region

    United States

    International

    Farm Ownership

    Independent

    Cooperative

    Corporate

    Practices

    Organic

    Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

    Conventional

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    Tofurtherfacilitatecomparisons,goalsaremosteffectivelystatedbypercentageofdollarsspentratherthanbyweight

    orothermeasures.

    Trytoidentifysomegoalsthatwillmakeprogressmoreimmediatelyapparentandprovideopportunitiesforcelebration.

    Becertaintoreviewthebuylistscurrentlyinusetofindlowhangingfruitwheredramaticprogresscanbemade

    costeffectivelyonashorttimeline.

    Iftheinstitutionoritscontractorscanmakeaneasysubstitutionforoneormoreproductsforexample,buying100%of

    strawberriesfreshinseasonfromalocalgroweror100%FairTradecertifiedcoffeeitsavictoryworthclaiming.Use

    thesevictories,smallandlarge,asameanstoeducateandinspiretheinstitutionsconstituents,andtobuildleveragefor

    greaterchange.

    CreateanActionPlan

    Youractionplanshouldestablishclearexpectationsfortheinstitutionanditsstaff,aswellasforserviceprovidersand

    wholesalevendors.Beclearaboutwhattheinstitutionplanstoaccomplishindependentlyandwhatithopesto

    accomplishworkingwithfoodserviceproviders,wholesalevendorsorGPOs.Bespecificaboutwhowilldowhatwhento

    ensurethattheinstitutionmeetsorexceedsitstargets.

    Somequestionstoconsider:

    Howwilltheinstitutioncommunicateitsintenttostaffandexternalpartners? Howwilltheinstitutiondemonstrateitscommitmenttothenewpolicy? Whatresourceswillbecommittedtodevelopandmanagenewpolicyinitiatives? Howwillstaffbeeducatedandmotivated? Howwillneedsandexpectationsbeconveyedtoexistingsuppliers? WhowilldraftandapprovefoodserviceandvendorRFPs? Whowillnegotiateandmanagethecontracts? Howwillsocialandenvironmentalperformancebeweightedagainstpriceorqualityconcerns? Willtherebeanyperformancebonusesorpenaltiesassociatedwithcontracts? Ifnecessary,howwillnewsuppliersorserviceprovidersbeidentifiedandrecruited?

    Inacompetitivebidsituation,wheresocialand/orenvironmentalperformanceisclearlyassignedweightinbid

    evaluation,thereisachanceforfoodserviceandwholesalecontractorstoproposetargetsbeyondtheinstitutions

    minimumrequirements.Thisshouldbeencouragedand,ifpossible,supportedwithfinancialorotherincentives(eg.

    longercontractterms).

    Giventhecomplexityofissuesintheagriculturalandfoodarenas,purchasersmusthavecleardirectionforproduct

    prioritiesandspecifications,anypreferencesorrequirementsrelatedtoselectionofsuppliers,andanynegotiableor

    fixedtermsforcontracts.Whatevertheorganizationsgoals,purchasersmustalsobegivenleewayandappropriate

    budgetarydiscretiontomakestrategicdecisionsinserviceoftheorganizationsgoals.Ideally,incentiveprogramsshould

    beputinplacetorewardstaffwhofindcreativewaystoimprovetheinstitutionssocialandenvironmentalperformance

    withinbudgetlimits.

    CreateanEvaluationPlan

    Agoodsustainablefoodpurchasingpolicywillalsospecifymeansandaprocessforevaluatingitseffectiveness.Besure

    to

    consider

    both

    internal

    benefits

    for

    the

    institution

    and,

    to

    the

    degree

    this

    can

    be

    measured,

    external

    benefits

    for

    farmers,farmlaborers,farmanimalsandtheenvironment.

    Youshouldalreadyhaveidentifiedsomekeymeasuresofsuccess. Whatarethey?

    Percentageofemployeesreceivingeducationortrainingrelevanttothenewpolicy? Percentagesofpurchasesofspecifiedproductsorcategoriesthatmeetcertaincriteria? Improvementsinthenutritionalvalueofmealandsnackofferings? Reductionsinfoodmiles? Dollarsdirectedtothelocaleconomy?

    Thinkcarefullyaboutexpectationsformonitoringandevaluation.Dontunderestimatetheworkthatmaybeinvolved,

    particularlyworkforserviceprovidersorsuppliersthatmaybeinvolvedincollectingandanalyzingthedata.

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    Questionstoconsiderindevelopingaplanforevaluationinclude:

    Howwillpurchasedatabetrackedandinwhatdetail? Howwillperformancedatabecompiledandevaluated? Whowillhaveresponsibilityforassessingandreportingcompliancewiththepolicy? Howfrequentlywillreviewsbeconducted? Howwilllessonslearnedbedocumentedandshared? Howwillnewideasandopportunitiesbebroughtforward? Howwillperformanceaffectemployeeschargedwithimplementationofthepolicy? Howwillperformanceaffectcontinuationofexistingsupplycontractsandrelationships? Whowillmakethosedecisionsandhowwilldecisionsbeweightedagainstotherfactors? Howandwhenwilltheinstitutionmakeadjustmentstoitspolicyandgoals? Whowillhavefinalauthorityonchangestothepolicyorgoals?

    Recognizefromthestartthattherewillbelearningcurvesfordiningservicesstaff,purchasers,andvendors. (Yale

    Universitysawtheircostsincreaseinthefirstyearoftheirprogramandthensubsequentlydecreaseastheylearnedhow

    tomaketheirsystemmoreefficient.)

    Acceptthattherewillbechallengesandlessonslearned.Somethingsjustwontworkout.Knowthattherewillalsobe

    successestocelebrate.

    Yourreviewprocessshouldbeasmuchaboutmovingforwardasitisaboutlookingback.Embracethereviewprocessas

    achancetolearn,tobringforwardnewideas,torefineyourstrategies,andtosetnewgoals.

    CommunicateYourEffortandYourAccomplishments

    Ultimately,thesuccessofyourinstitutionssustainablefoodpurchasingpolicyrestsontheenthusiasm,commitmentand

    creativityofthepeoplewhowillimplementit.Thismayinturnrestontheprogresstheyseeandthefeedbackthey

    receivefromaudiencesimportanttothem.Beproactiveincommunicatingyourinstitutionsgoals,effortsandprogress

    throughsignage,brochures,awebsite,newsletters,throughthemediaandthroughcelebratoryevents.Collectstories

    youcansharewithemployees,studentsorpatients,andotherconstituentstoinspiregreatersupportforyour

    institutionsinitiatives.Sharingthosestorieswillincreaseinternalbuyinandwillhelpleveragemarketingandpublic

    relationsbenefits.

    CONCLUSION

    InthecourseofresearchforthisguideithasbecomeclearthattherearepeopleininstitutionsineveryUSstateand

    manyothercountriesworkingtoaddressthesocialandenvironmentalimpactsoffoodprocurementandtodevelop

    sustainablefoodpurchasingpolicies.

    Itsalsoveryclearthatnoonepersonororganizationhasalltheanswersortheperfectmodel.Weareallpioneersand

    wearealllearning.

    As

    part

    of

    the

    Sustainable

    Food

    Policy

    Project,

    we

    encourage

    all

    institutions

    to

    share

    their

    policies

    and

    related

    documents,aswellastheirsuccessesandlessonslearned,tohelpacceleratethepaceofchangetowardsamore

    sustainablefoodsystem.

    Jointheconversationatwww.SustainableFoodPolicy.org andfindmoreinformationandsamplesustainablefood

    purchasingpolicies.

    Wewanttohearfromyou!

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    APPENDIX: COMMON FOOD-RELATED CLAIMS AND CERTIFICATIONS

    AntibioticClaims

    TheUSDAhasprohibiteduseofthetermAntibioticFreeasalabelclaimformeatsandpoultry,butallowsRaised

    WithoutAntibioticsorNoAntibioticsAdministered.Theseclaimsimplythatnoantibioticswereadministeredtothe

    animalatanypointduringitslife.Ifananimalbecomessickandrequirestreatment,itshouldbesegregatedfromother

    animalsandsoldasaconventionalmeatproduct.Thereisoftennoindependentverificationoftheseantibioticclaims.

    BeyondOrganic

    Thistermisusedinformallytodescribefarmswithmanagementpracticesthatgobeyondtheminimumrequirementsof

    theUSDAorganicstandards.Thetermisnotregulatedandhasnostandardindustrydefinition,makingitverydifficultto

    evaluateasaclaim.Asksuppliersusingthetermtodescribeinmoredetailwhattheymeanbyit.Thereisno

    independentverificationofthisclaim.

    CageFree

    Thisisafirstpartyclaimthatpoultrywereraisedwithoutcages.Thisdoesnotguaranteethatbirdswereraisedwith

    accesstotheoutdoorsoronpasture.Birdsmayhavebeenraisedinlargeflocksincommercialconfinementfacilitieswith

    openfloorplans.ThereisoftennoindependentverificationofCageFreeclaims.

    CertifiedHumane

    The

    Certified

    Humane

    Raised

    &

    Handled

    Label

    is

    a

    consumer

    certification

    and

    labeling

    program

    which

    indicates

    that

    egg,

    dairy,meatorpoultryproductshavebeenproducedwiththewelfareofthefarmanimalinmind.Farmanimaltreatment

    standardsinclude:Allowanimalstoengageintheirnaturalbehaviors;Raiseanimalswithsufficientspace,shelterand

    gentlehandlingtolimitstress;Makesuretheyhaveamplefreshwaterandahealthydietwithoutaddedantibioticsor

    hormones.Producersalsomustcomplywithlocal,stateandfederalenvironmentalstandards.Processorsmustcomply

    withtheAmericanMeatInstituteStandards,ahigherstandardforslaughteringfarmanimalsthantheFederalHumane

    SlaughterAct.www.certifiedhumane.com

    FairTradeCertified

    FairTradestandardsaimtoensurethatfarmersindevelopingnationsreceiveafairpricefortheirproduct,andhave

    directtraderelationswithbuyersandaccesstocredit.Theyencouragesustainablefarmingpractices,anddiscouragethe

    useofchildlaborandcertainpesticides.Tobearthelabel,productsmustbegrownbysmallscale,democratically

    organizedproducers.FairTradeCertifiedproductsincludecoffee,hotchocolate,tea,candy,chocolate,sweeteners,fruit,

    riceandgrains.TransFairUSAisthethirdpartycertifierofFairTradegoodsintheUS.Itisoneoftwentymembersof

    FairtradeLabelingOrganizationsInternational,theumbrellaorganizationthatsetsthecertificationstandards.

    www.transfairusa.org

    FoodAllianceCertified

    FoodAllianceisanonprofitorganizationthatoperatesathirdpartycertificationprogramforsociallyand

    environmentallyresponsibleagriculturalpractices. FoodAlliancecertificationdistinguishesfarmersandrancherswho:

    Providesafeandfairworkingconditions;Ensurehealthyandhumanecareforlivestock;Donotusehormonesornon

    therapeuticantibiotics;Donotproducegeneticallymodifiedcropsorlivestock;Reducepesticideuseandtoxicity;

    Conservesoilandwaterresources;Protectandenhancewildlifehabitat;and,Demonstratecontinuousimprovement.

    FoodAlliancecertificationdistinguishesfoodprocessors,manufacturersanddistributorswho:SourceFoodAlliance

    Certifiedingredients;Ensurequalitycontrolandfoodsafety;Donotuseartificialflavors,colorsorpreservatives;Provide

    safe

    and

    fair

    working

    conditions;

    Reduce

    use

    of

    toxic

    and

    hazardous

    materials;

    Conserve

    energy

    and

    water;

    Manage

    solid

    wasteresponsibly;and,Demonstratecontinuousimprovement. www.foodalliance.org

    FreeRange

    FreeRangeandrelatedtermsarepopularlabelclaimsforpoultryandeggs,andsometimesseenonothermeats.Free

    rangeisregulatedbytheUSDAforuseonpoultryonly(noteggs),whichrequiresthatbirdsbegivenaccesstothe

    outdoorsforanundeterminedperiodeachday.Inpractice,theFreeRangeclaimdoesnotguaranteethattheanimal

    actuallyspentanyperiodoftimeoutdoors,onlythataccesswasavailable.Birdsmayhavebeenraisedinlargeflocksin

    commercialconfinementfacilitieswithopenfloorplans.ThereisoftennoindependentverificationofFreeRange

    claims.

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    GeneticallyModifiedOrganism(GMO)Claims

    Withgrowingconsumerconcernforgeneticallymodifiedcropsandlivestockenteringthefoodsupplychain,anumberof

    companieshavebeguntoassertGMOFreeandrelatedclaims.Inmanycases,thereisnoindependentverificationof

    GMOFreeclaims.Somecertificationprograms,suchasOrganicandFoodAlliance,prohibitgeneticallymodified

    ingredientsincertifiedfoodsandhavecorrespondinginspectionprotocols.However,laboratorytestmaybenecessaryto

    providemaximumsuretytherehasbeennocrosscontaminationofproducts.

    Grassfed AsdefinedbytheAmericanGrassfedAssociation,thisclaimsmeansthatanimalsliveonpasture,consumea

    naturalforagediet,anddonotreceivehormoneorantibiotictreatments.However,theUSDA,inastandardpublishedfor

    commentin2006,hasdefinedgrassfedtoonlymeananimalsthatconsumeadietofgrassesandsilage.TheUSDA

    standarddoesnotprohibitconfinementorhormoneandantibiotictreatments.Suppliersshouldbeclearwhichstandard

    theyclaimtomeet.Thereiscurrentlynoindependentverificationofthisclaimundereitherstandard.Notethat

    GrassfedclaimsaresometimesqualifiedwithsupplementalGrainFinishedclaims.Thiscombinationdescribesthe

    conventionalindustriallivestockfeedingmodel,andinvalidatestheGrassfedclaim.

    HormoneClaims

    TheUSDAhasprohibiteduseofthetermHormoneFree,butmeatscanbelabeledNoHormonesAdministered

    meaningthattheanimalsinquestiondidnotreceivehormoneinjectionsorfeedsupplements.Claimsarealsofrequently

    assertedthatmilkproductsarerBGHFreeand/orrBSTFree.(rBGHandrBSTarehormonesupplementsgiventodairy

    cowstoincreasemilkproduction.)Federallawprohibitstheuseofhormonesinhogsandpoultry,sohormoneclaimsfor

    chickenorporkshouldbeconsideredmisleading.Thereisoftennoindependentverificationofhormoneclaims.

    Integrated

    Pest

    Management

    IntegratedPestManagement(IPM)isanapproachtopestmanagementthatemploysavarietyoffarmingpractices(such

    asencouragingbeneficialinsects)toavoidandmitigatepestproblems.IPMprogramsuseinformationonthelifecycles

    ofpestsandtheirinteractionwiththeenvironment,incombinationwithavailablepestcontrolstrategies,tomanagepest

    damagebythemosteconomicalmeans,andwiththeleastpossiblehazardtopeople,property,andtheenvironment.

    IPMrarelyappearsindependentlyinproductrelatedclaims,butisabasisforpestmanagementstandardsunder

    certificationprogramssuchasFoodAllianceandProtectedHarvest.

    LocalClaims

    Localismostoftendefinedasfoodgrownwithinaparticulargeographicareaorwithinaspecificdistancefromthepoint

    ofconsumerpurchase.Definedthisway,theclaimisfrequentlylinkedtofoodmilesasaproximatemeasurefor

    environmentalimpact.Anotherwaytoconsiderlocal,however,isfoodwhichcomesfromanidentifiablecommunity,

    whichisgrownandmarketedbymidsizedandsmallerproducers,producercooperatives,andproducerowned

    businesses.Thisdefinitionspeaksmoretopublicinterestinpreservingfamilyscaleagriculture,andinstrengtheninglocal

    andregionaleconomies. Regardlessofemphasis,localclaimsaremostoftenassertedindirectmarketingcontexts.Local

    byitselfdoesnotguaranteethatthefoodwasproducedtoanysocialorenvironmentalstandard,orunderanyparticular

    ownershipstructure.Thereisoftennoindependentverificationoflocalclaims.

    MarineStewardshipCouncil

    TheMarineStewardshipCouncil(MSC)isanonprofitorganizationthatpromotesresponsiblefishingpractices.TheMSC

    labelassuresbuyersthatproductscomefromawellmanagedfisheryandhavenotcontributedtooverfishing.Thethree

    principlesoftheMSCcertificationstandardare:1)Theconditionofthefishstocks(examinesifthereareenoughfishtoensurethatthefisheryissustainable);Theimpactofthefisheryonthemarineenvironment(examinestheeffectthatfishinghasontheimmediatemarineenvironmentincludingothernontargetfishspecies,marinemammalsand

    seabirds);3)Thefisherymanagementsystems(evaluatestherulesandproceduresthatareinplace,aswellashowtheyare

    implemented,

    to

    maintain

    a

    sustainable

    fishery

    and

    to

    ensure

    that

    the

    impact

    on

    the

    marine

    environment

    is

    minimized). www.msc.org

    MontereyBayAquariumSeafoodWatchGuide TheSeafoodWatchguideisdesignedtoraiseconsumerawareness

    abouttheimportanceofbuyingseafoodfromsustainablesources.Theguiderecommendswhichseafoodtobuyor

    avoid,helpingconsumerstobecomeadvocatesforenvironmentallyfriendlyseafood.Recommendationsarebasedon

    peerreviewedresearchandgovernmentagencyreports.SeafoodWatchisassociatedwiththeSeafoodChoicesAlliance

    which,alongwithotherseafoodawarenesscampaigns,providesseafoodpurveyorswithrecommendationsonseafood

    choices.www.mbayaq.org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp

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