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Healthy Food Procurement Resource Library

Download the Full List of Procurement Resources (PDF, July 2020)

The Food Procurement Resource Guide will be updated at least once a year. The policy examples provided do not reflect a comprehensive list of policies globally. To submit suggestions for additions and updates, email nide@resolvetosavelives.org.

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Global

Action framework for developing and implementing public food procurement and service policies for a healthy diet

Key Resource

World Health Organization

Provides an overview of how to develop, implement, assess compliance with, and evaluate the effectiveness of a healthy public food procurement and service policy. It is intended for government policy makers or program managers working on public food procurement or service, at either a national or a subnational level, including at regional, provincial and city levels.

Eating Well in Government Venues website

Key Resource

ChangeLab Solutions, United States

Model policies for policymakers. Website links to resources on creating healthy food service on government property and an infographic on buying food for health and equity.

Healthy food procurement policies and their impact

Key Resource

Niebylski ML et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2014.

Systematic review of the evidence base for healthy food procurement policies

Healthy Public Food Procurement and Service Policies Fact Sheet

Key Resource

Resolve to Save Lives

Core principles, benefits and resources for implementing healthy food procurement and service policies.

INFORMAS Public Sector Policies and Actions – The Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI)

Key Resource

INFORMAS

The policy index measures the extent of implementation of health food environment policies by governments compared to international best practice and includes a module on Food Provision. Scientific article describes in detail: L’Abbe M, Schermel A, Minaker L, Kelly B, Lee A, Vandevijvere S, Twohig P, Sarquera S, Friel S, Hawkes C, et al. Monitoring foods and beverages provided and sold in public sector settings. Obesity Reviews. 2013;14(Suppl. 1):96–107l.

Monitoring foods and beverages provided and sold in public sector settings

Key Resource

L’Abbe M et al. Obesity Reviews. 2013.

Step-wise framework for monitoring, includes: 1) previous monitoring activities of school food programs, and 2) survey questions for initial assessment.

NOURISHING Framework

Key Resource

World Cancer Research Fund International

Searchable database of implemented policies to promote healthy diets and reduce obesity. Use Section O (Offer healthy food and set standards in public institutions and other specific settings) to search for public food procurement examples.

Nutrition guidelines and standards for school meals. A report from 33 low and middle-income countries. (2019)

Key Resource

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Results of global survey on school meals; report identifies key aspects to consider when developing or updating school meal program standards.

WHO 5 keys to a healthy diet

Key Resource

World Health Organization

Describes five key elements of a healthy diet.

A Global Review of Food-Based Dietary Guidelines

Herforth A, et al. Adv Nutr. 2019

Review of current food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG), assessing the similarities and differences in key elements across countries

At the crossroads: new paradigms of food security, public health nutrition and school food

Ashe LM, Sonnino R. Pub Health Nutr. 2012.

Describes the emerging dynamics of the new food insecurity crisis and its implications for public health nutritionists; suggests the adoption of a systemic approach and uses school food systems as an example.

Effect of changes to the school food environment on eating behaviours and/or body weight in children: a systematic review

Driessen CE, et al. Obes Rev. 2014

Reviews the evidence for the effect of isolated food environment interventions on both eating behaviors (including food purchasing) and/or body weight (all examples from US/UK). Seventeen of 18 papers reported a positive outcome on either BMI (or change in BMI) or the healthfulness of food sold or consumed.

Effectiveness of school food environment policies on children’s dietary behaviors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Micha R et al. PLoS One. 2018.

Systematic review includes 12 studies evaluating school meal standards implemented in the US, Canada, or UK, which were found to: increase fruit intake, reduce total fat, saturated fat, and sodium (but not total calories), and decrease BMI (although other adiposity measures evaluated were unchanged).

Enablers and barriers to implementation of and compliance with school-based healthy food and beverage policies: a systematic literature review and meta-synthesis

Ronto et al. Public Health Nutr. 2020

This study explores the enablers and barriers to effective implementation of and compliance with school-based food and beverage policies from countries around the world.

Food Service Guidelines Organizational Policy Template

Adapted from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

A template for organizational food policy guidelines adapted from the CDC

Food-based Dietary Guidelines

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Database of food-based dietary guidelines for over 100 countries and regions.

Global database on the Implementation of Nutrition Action (GINA)

World Health Organization

Searchable database of nutrition programs, country adaptations and lessons learnt.

Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health: A Framework to Monitor and Evaluate Implementation

World Health Organization

Describes how to measure the implementation of the WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity, and Health at the country level and proposes a framework and indicators (Logic model, page 5).

Home Grown School Feeding Initiative

World Food Programme

Website describes Initiative, which links school feeding programs with local smallholder farms to provide food for schoolchildren.

Population-level interventions in government jurisdictions for dietary sodium reduction: a Cochrane Review

Barberio AM et al. Int J Epidemiol. 2017.

Describes the impact of population-level dietary sodium reduction interventions and concludes that multicomponent initiatives taking a structural approach (such as public procurement policies), have the potential to reduce dietary salt intake.

Report of the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity. Implementation plan: executive summary (2017)

World Health Organization

Includes standards (page 18) for food standards for healthy school environments for children and adolescents.

School policy framework: implementation of the WHO global strategy on diet, physical activity and health (2008)

World Health Organization

Guide for policy makers at national and sub-national level to promote healthy eating and physical activity in schools settings.

Set of Recommendations on the Marketing of Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages to Children (2010)

World Health Organization

Describes recommendations for marketing food to children, a complementary action to include in food procurement standards.

Strengthening sector policies for better food security and nutrition results: Public food procurement (2018)

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the European Union

Part of a series to help policy makers address national food security and nutrition issues; guidance is focused on developing initiatives that support food purchases from small farms.

Sustainable Healthy Diets - Guiding Principles (2019)

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization

Guidance on what constitutes sustainable healthy diets.

The Power of Procurement

de Schutter O. United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Briefing Note. 2014.

Provides an argument for: sourcing preferentially from small-scale food producers, guaranteeing fair wages and prices along the food supply chain, nutrition standards, sourcing locally whenever possible and expecting suppliers to produce food sustainably, increasing participation and accountability in the food system.

Tools for the Assessment of the Public Food Procurement and Policy Landscape

Resolve to Save Lives

This tool provides example surveys for capturing key aspects of the food procurement and policy landscape. Example surveys include: 1) Overview of Government Institutions’ Food Procurement Processes; 2) Key Informant Interview Tool; 3) Detailed Assessment of the Food Environment in Government Settings

WHO Nutrient requirements and dietary guidelines website

World Health Organization

Site includes links to WHO nutrition documents, including Healthy Diet factsheet and guidance on sugars, fats, and sodium.

WHO Nutrition-Friendly Schools Initiative

World Health Organization

This initiative created a framework for addressing the double burden of student ill-health and aims to improve coordination among agencies. Refer to 'NFSI Component 4: Creating a supportive environment' in the evidence review.

Asia

A review of food procurement and provision in hospitals and schools in Sri Lanka

World Health Organization. Country Office for Sri Lanka.

An assessment of the food procurement environment in Sri Lankan schools and hospitals. Reviews existing policies, guidelines, evaluations, as well as recommendations for promiting healthy diets in schools and hospitals.

Healthy Meals in School Programme

Singapore Government Health Promotion Board

Describes program criteria and support available for schools.

Healthy Public Food Procurement in Quezon City, Philippines

Resolve to Save Lives/ImagineLaw

Case study of the development, preparation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of healthy public food procurement policy in Quezon City, Philippines

Implementation lessons for school food policies and marketing restrictions in the Philippines: a qualitative policy analysis.

Reeve E et al. Glob Health. 2018.

Description of challenges/barriers to consider when implementing procurement policies, particularly within a school setting.

India's School Children Regulation

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

India's regulation including restrictions on the advertising, marketing, or selling of food products high in saturated fat or trans-fat or added sugar or sodium on school campuses or to school children in an area within fifty meters from the school gate in any direction.

Malaysia Guide for Healthy School Canteen Management

World Health Organization Global Nutrition Policy Review 2016-2017

Standards for foods and beverages served and sold in Malaysian schools. News article on implementation of nutrition standards: Rajaendram R. Ensuring children chomp on healthy treats. The Star Malaysia. 2018 Jan 21. Education.

Policy and Guidelines on Healthy Food and Beverage Choices in Schools and in DepEd Offices

Republic of the Philippines, Department of Education

Describes the policy and guidelines on healthy food and beverage choices in schools and in Department of Education offices.

South Korea Special Act on the Safety Management of Children’s Dietary Life

Government of the Republic of Korea

Describes nutrition standards for schools. Scientific article on implementation of nutrition standards: Lee SK, Park HK, et al. Nutritional standards for energy-dense low-nutrient density foods for children in Korea. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2014;23(1):27-33.

WHO Nutrient Profile Model for South-East Asia Region (2017)

World Health Organization Regional Office for South-East Asia

Nutrient thresholds used to implement the set of recommendations on the marketing of foods and non-alcoholic beverages to children.

Whole-of-Government (WOG) Healthy Food and Beverage Policy

Singapore Government Health Promotion Board

Singapore government whole-of-government policy introduced in April 2017; the site provides links to the Whole-of-Government (WOG) Healthier Catering Policy and WOG Drinks Policy

Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands

ACT Healthy Food and Drink Choices

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government

Standards for food and drinks available to staff, volunteers, and visitors for ACT Health premises; links to Healthy Food and Drink Choices and Vending Machine Management Policies.

ACT Public School Food and Drink Policy

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government

Describes nutrition standards for schools, including links to legislation.

Healthy Canteen Kit

Victoria State Government, Department of Education and Training, Australia

Resources to assist schools develop healthy canteens. The website includes links to the policy, evaluating changes, food planners, and educational materials.

Healthy Choices website

Victoria State Government, Department of Health and Human Services, Australia

Guidelines to help workplaces, hospitals and health services, parks, and sporting centers provide healthy foods and drinks.

Healthy Food and Drink in NSW Health Facilities for Staff and Visitors Framework (2017)

New South Wales Government Health, Australia

Best practice guidelines for health facilities to use for cafes/cafeterias, vending machines, convenience stores/newsagents, retail premises, and catering.

Healthy School Canteen

New South Wales Department of Education, Australia

Includes resources to support transitioning to healthier school canteens for school leaders, canteen managers, parents, and communities.

National Healthy School Canteens Guidelines

Australian Government, Department of Health

Website describes guidelines and resources to help canteen managers across Australia offer healthier food and drink options.

National Healthy Schools Canteen Evaluation Toolkit (2010)

Australian Government, Department of Health

Toolkit includes logic model, research framework, and focus group questions to guide process evaluation and short-term impact evaluation.

NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy

NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNMENT HEALTH, AUSTRALIA

This website contains a variety of resources for schools implementing the strategy, including webinars, guidance on how to develop menus, sample recipes, portion size guides, etc., as well as a link to the Food and Drink Criteria booklet summarizing the criteria and providing implementation guidance.

WHO Nutrient Profile Model for the Western Pacific Region (2016)

World Health Organization Regional office for the Western Pacific

Nutrient thresholds used to implement the set of recommendations on the marketing of foods and non-alcoholic beverages to children.

Europe

Audits and Inspections Toolkit (2011)

School Food Trust, United Kingdom

Checklist for schools and catering providers to demonstrate compliance with school food standards.

Eating well for under-5s in child care: Practical and nutritional guidelines

The Caroline Walker Trust, United Kingdom

Guide on nutrient-based standards and menu plans for children under 5, with implementation guidance.

Food and Nutrition Policy for Schools: A Tool for the Development of School Nutrition Programmes in the European Region (2006)

World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe

Recommendations on how schools can best promote health through offering education and practice of good nutrition.

Healthier and more sustainable catering website

Public Health England, United Kingdom

Resources include a description of nutrition principles of healthier catering and a toolkit for serving older people in residential care.

Healthy school meals and educational outcomes

Belot M, James J. Jour Health Econ. 2011

Provides evidence on the effects of diet on educational outcomes, using a campaign lead in the UK in 2004, which introduced changes in the meals offered in schools – shifting from low-budget processed meals toward healthier options. Educational outcomes improved significantly in English and Science, and authorized absences, which are most likely linked to illness and health, fell by 14%.

Public procurement as a policy tool to promote healthier food environments and choices

genannt Bonsmann SS et al. Pub Health Pan. 2017.

Proposes that the public procurement of food can incentivize food reformulation; urges consideration of economic, social, and environmental aspects of procurement. Includes examples of EU procurement directives.

Public Procurement of Food for Health: Technical report on the school setting (2017)

Joint Publication of the Maltese Presidency and the European Union

Support for translating national school food standards into food procurement specifications. Includes contract evaluation guidance, scoring grid, and logic model.

School Food Plan What Works Well website

United Kingdom Department of Education

Resources for schools to implement healthier food guidance, including a link to the What Works Well RecipeHub.

School food standards: resources for schools

United Kingdom Department of Education

School food standards, with guidance for administrators, a poster example, and a healthy eating checklist.

School nutrition guidelines: overview of the implementation and evaluation

Gregoric M et al. Public Health Nutr. 2015.

Describes three methods of evaluating the implementation of dietary guidelines in schools in Slovenia: (i) a cross-sectional survey, (ii) an indicator-based evaluation of menu quality; and (iii) a five day weighted food record of school lunches (output evaluation). The multi-level evaluation suggests that some differences in implementation are attributed to school characteristics; system changes may improve implementation.

Sustainable procurement: the Official Government Buying Standards (GBS) for food and catering services

United Kingdom Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Mandatory product specifications for government agencies; also see: A Plan for Public Procurement: Food & Catering Balanced scorecard (nutrition criteria, page 17).

The Hospital Food Standards Panel’s report on standards for food and drink in NHS hospitals (2014)

Independent group established by the United Kingdom (UK) Department of Health and led by chairman of Age UK

Report on existing hospital food standards, with recommendations on monitoring and further action.

The School Food Trust: transforming school lunches in England

Nelson M. Nutrition Bulletin. 2011.

Reports evidence of the improvements in provision, choice and consumption of food in schools following the introduction of legislation and a national programme of work to change catering practices and the attitudes of pupils, parents and others to healthier food provision in schools. It also provides objective evidence of the impact of healthier food on children’s learning behaviour in the classroom, and overall costs and benefits.

What Works Well Recipe Hub website

United Kingdom Department of Education

Collection of over 100 recipes that meet the UK’s Government Buying Standards and are suitable for children.

WHO Regional Office for Europe Nutrient Profile Model (2015)

World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe

Describes regional nutrient profile model for use and adaptation when developing policies to restrict food marketing to children.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Guía Para Tiendas y Cafetines Escolares (Guide for school stores and cafeterias)

El Salvador Ministry of Education

Guide for administrators of school stores and cafeterias to implement the criteria laid out in the national policy for schools. View the technical standards, Implementation Guide (all in Spanish) and summary of the policy on GINA (English).

Impact of the Food-Labeling and Advertising Law Banning Competitive Food and Beverages in Chilean Public Schools, 2014–2016

Massri, et al. AM JOUR PUB HEALTH. 2019.

Reviews the impact of the national law banning sales of competitive food and beverages in schools, based on Chile's Law of Food Labeling and Advertising. Results show that availability of foods exceeding cutoffs decreased from 90.4% in 2014 to 15.0% in 2016 after policy implementation.

Implementation Guide for School Food Standards in Uruguay

Uruguay Ministry of Public Health

Implementation guide for implementing school nutrition standards. Training materials, for food handlers are also available. (Spanish)

Learning from Sustainable School Feeding in Brazil

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean

Describes school feeding programs in Brazil. Scientific article on school nutrition programs: Sidaner E, Balaban D, et al. The Brazilian school feeding programme: an example of an integrated programme in support of food and nutrition security. Pub Health Nutr. 2013;16(6):989-94.

Pan American Health Organization Nutrient Profile Model

Pan American Health Organization

Nutrient thresholds designed for multiple applications, including regulation of marketing, front-of-package labelling, and fiscal policies related to food and beverages.

Pilas con Vitaminas (campaign to support healthier school canteens)

Quito Ministry of Health

Initiative to improve the healthfulness of food sold at school canteens, consistent with national policy; includes marketing and branding materials; website in Spanish.

Plan of Action for the Prevention of Obesity in Children and Adolescents (2014)

Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization

Smart School Meals: Nutrition Sensitive National Programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean A Review of 16 Countries (2017)

World Food Programme and the Latin American Network for School Meals

Study of school meals programs in 16 countries, identifying six areas where there are opportunities for improvement. Logic model on page 23.

Strengthening School Feeding Programmes (2019)

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Food Programme

Describes joint work to support school feeding programs in Latin America and the Caribbean. Available in Spanish.

The Brazilian school feeding programme: an example of an integrated programme in support of food and nutrition security

Sidaner E et al. Pub Health Nutr. 2013.

Describes the successes and challenges of the Brazil school feeding program from 2003-2011, finding that local food production, school meals, and nutrition education can be linked and result in improved access to healthier foods.

Uruguayan Schools Slowly Say Goodbye to Junk Food.

Acosta I. Tierramerica. 2012 Oct 10.

Describes the bill passed by the Chamber of Deputies to prohibit the promotion and advertising of junk food on school premises. Law 19.140: “Proteccion de la Salud de la Poblacion Infantil y Adolescente a Traves de la Promocion de Habitos Alimenticios Saludables.” (2014)

Middle East and North Africa

Israel Bans Sugary Drinks, Snacks from School Cafeterias

Skop Y. Haaretz; 2019 Apr 5.

Describes standards to limit sugar, salt, and fat in Israel’s schools and kindergartens.

Nutrient profile model for the marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages to children in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (2017)

World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean

Nutrient thresholds for the marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages to children.

WHO Nutrient Profile Model for the African Region (2019)

World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa

Nutrient thresholds used to implement the set of recommendations on the marketing of foods and non-alcoholic beverages to children.

North America

CDC Healthy Food Environments website

US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control

Resources to support implementation and evaluation of nutrition standards in childcare site, schools, hospitals and workplaces.

CDC Heathy Foodservice Guidelines website

US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control

Guide to implementing the US Food Service Guidelines, including cafeterias, concession stands, snack bars, and vending machines; includes link to Smart Food Choices (Assessment Tool, page 30).

CDC Sodium Reduction Tools and Training for Health Professionals website

US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control

Includes links to implementation and training guidance for implementing sodium reduction in foodservice settings.

CDC’s Sodium Reduction in Communities Program: Evaluating Differential Effects in Food Service Settings, 2013–2016

Jordan et al. Prv Chronic Dis. 2020.

Evaluation results on sodium reduction of CDC-funded state and local health departments implementing policies including food standards among institutional food settings.

City of Philadelphia Nutrition Standards website

Philadelphia Department of Health, United States

Includes links to the city’s Executive Order, nutrition standards, and implementation resources, such as a menu planning toolkit.

Comparison of Nutrition Standards and Other Recommended Procurement Practices for Improving Institutional Food Offerings in Los Angeles County, 2010–2012.

Robles B et al. Adv Nutr. 2013.

Reviews and compares nutrition standards and other best practices implemented recently in a large school district, in a large county government, and across 10 municipalities in Los Angeles County. Includes a framework for creating healthier food environments and steps to adopting and implementing nutrition standards.

Developing and Applying a Mixed-Methods Evaluation Framework to Build the Business Case for Healthy Food Procurement at the Local Level

Robles B et al. SAGE Research Methods Cases. 2020.

Describes an evaluation by the Los Angeles Department of Health conducted with the goal to help institutional foodservice operators grow their business while also improving the nutritional quality of foods served and sold.

Estimating the Potential Health Impact and Costs of Implementing a Local Policy for Food Procurement to Reduce the Consumption of Sodium in the County of Los Angeles

Gase LN et al. Am Jour Pub Health. 2011.

Uses health impact assessment methods to simulate levels of reduction in the sodium content of food served by Los Angeles County. Analysis predicts that adults would consume, on average, 233 fewer milligrams of sodium each day, if specific food procurement sodium strategies were implemented and models impact on blood pressure, cases of uncontrolled hypertension, and decrease in health costs.

Food Service Guidelines Collaborative website

Food Service Guidelines Collaborative, United States

Resources that support implementation of the US federal nutrition standards in public places.

Food Service Guidelines for Federal Facilities (2017)

US Department of Health and Human Services

Standards for food, nutrition, facility efficiency, environmental support, community development, food safety and behavioral design for use in food service concession and vending operations.

Food Service Guidelines Resources website

Association of State Public Health Nutritionists, United States

Links to U.S. city and state initiatives, including for worksites, cafeterias, vending, meetings, hospitals, faith-based organizations, and community organizations. Includes resources to train vendors

Healthier Food Choices for Public Places website

Center for Science in the Public Interest, United States

Resources for improving food and beverage options for vending machines, cafeterias, concession stands, meetings, and events; includes messaging tips, model policies, and implementation resources.

Healthy food procurement and nutrition standards in public facilities: evidence synthesis and consensus policy recommendations

Raine KD et al. Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can. 2018

Synthesis of evidence and consensus conference to inform further policy action on healthy food procurement.

Healthy School Toolkit (2008)

The Food Trust, United States

Describes how healthier changes were successfully made in a group of Philadelphia schools and includes specific nutrition standards.

Healthy State Act (2012)

Center for the Science in the Public Interest, United States

Model bill to expand healthy choices for government employees and in government institutions.

Healthy Workplace Food & Beverage Toolkit website

American Heart Association, United States

Includes links to vending machine data collection tools and checklist for meetings and catered meals.

Kaiser Permanente Healthy Picks website

Kaiser Permanente, Healthy Picks Committee, United States

Describes healthy food guidelines and implementation resources for hospital food venues, including patient menus, cafeterias, coffee carts, kiosks, vending and gift shops.

New York City Food Standards website

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, United States

Describes comprehensive standards that apply to all food purchased and served by city agencies, including specific standards and implementation guides, along with communications materials.

Pan American Health Organization Nutrient Profile Model

Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization Regional Office for the Americas

Nutrient thresholds designed for multiple applications, including regulation of marketing, front-of-package labelling, and fiscal policies related to food and beverages.

Plan of Action for the Prevention of Obesity in Children and Adolescents (2014)

Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization

SNAP Ed Toolkit - Healthy Nutrition Guidelines for LA County website

County of Los Angeles Public Health, Division of Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention, United States

Resources to support implementation of healthy food guidelines for county agencies, including evaluation tools, model policies, a vending case study, and guidance for hospitals.

Sodium Reduction in Health-Care Facilities: B.C.’s Experience (2016)

British Columbia (B.C.) Ministry of Health, Canada

Describes reducing sodium in food service operations in health care facilities owned and operated by B.C. health authorities and lessons learned.

Toward a Healthier City Nutrition Standards for New York City Government

Lederer A et al. Am Jour Prev Med. 2014.

Describes the development and implementation of required nutrition standards across all New York City agencies that purchase, prepare and/or serve food.

Links toolkit:

Healthy Food Procurement Resource Library

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