Good Food Purchasing Initiative

Cook County established the Good Food Purchasing Initiative (GFPI) after becoming the third local government in the U.S. to approve a resolution promoting the Good Food Purchasing Program (GFPP) in May 2018.

GFPI aims to ensure that institutional food purchasing advances an equitable, healthy, fair, local, humane, and sustainable food system. GFPI works to create access to good food for all by: (1) implementing GFPP in Cook County departments and agencies, (2) advancing a racially and socially equitable food system that can meet the demands of GFPP, and (3) building a culture where good food is a right, not a privilege.

CCDPH coordinates the GFPI, working closely with the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Chicago Food Policy Action Council (CFPAC). CCDPH, CDPH, and CFPAC plan to evaluate GFPI’s impact on the local food system in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of academic researchers from the Midwest Consortium on Equity, Research, and Food.

Cook County departments and agencies, including Cook County Health (CCH) , Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC) and the Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) spend more than $15 million on food annually.

The Good Food Purchasing Program is a nationally known program that provides a metric-based framework for food procurement that supports institutional food buyers to make informed decisions and measure impact in five value categories: local economies, environmental sustainability, valued workforce, animal welfare, and nutrition.

CCDPH partners with CFPAC to collect data and information from County departments/agencies to understand current food purchasing practices. The data and information are shared with the Center for Good Food Purchasing (CGFP) for analysis and a baseline assessment is conducted. Following this assessment, CCDPH and CFPAC will support each department/agency to develop a multi-year plan and take action to move towards transforming our local food system to be more equitable, healthy, and sustainable. CCDPH and CFPAC also work with County departments/agencies to explore opportunities to incorporate GFPP standards into their respective solicitation bids, Request for Proposals (RFPs), new food service management contracts, and leases. Over time, Cook County food vendors will work to meet high Good Food Standards in each category—leading to a healthier Cook County, where every resident has an opportunity to thrive.