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| | | | | Now Hiring:
Chief Program Officer at the Center for Good Food Purchasing |
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| The Center for Good Food Purchasing is seeking a Chief Program Officer (CPO), a member of the senior leadership team with a seat at the table to shape the strategic direction, priorities, and growth of the Center.
The CPO leads programmatic vision, oversees the development and execution of our core work (i.e., supporting institutional adoption and implementation of the Good Food Purchasing Program), and ensures that the Centerβs programs remain high-impact, responsive to partners, and aligned with our organizational values and equity commitments. |
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| | Boston Public Schools level up to Good Food Leader: Silver status |
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| | In Boston Public Schoolsβ second annual Good Food Purchasing Program assessment, the district reported outstanding Good Food Purchasing best practices to earn Good Food Leader: Silver status. Across a total food spend of nearly $17.9 million, BPS made progress across each of the Good Food Purchasing Program value categories, with particularly strong performance in Local and Community Based Economies, Environmental Sustainability, and Community Health and Nutrition. |
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| During the 2023-2024 school year, BPS exceeded its Local and Community Based Economies target, investing over $3 million in the New England economy, including with food incubation and entrepreneurial empowerment partner Commonwealth Kitchen, which developed several new locally-sourced products piloted by BPS. The district reduced the carbon footprint per meal while sourcing 70% of chicken purchases from suppliers that do not routinely administer antibiotics. Boston Public Schools also exceeded its Valued Workforce target through purchasing relationships with union-backed suppliers.
The Center is proud to congratulate the Boston Public Schools team on their continued progress and well-deserved success! We look forward to sharing more on the strategies the district has implemented in pursuit of its Good Food vision. |
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| βπ @bostonschools has achieved Silver tier status in the 2023-2024 Good Food Purchasing assessment, demonstrating leadership in values-based food procurement at scale.β |
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| | Institutions step up to fill federal shutdown food access deficiencies |
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| As communities navigate uncertainty related to the loss of vital food access due to the disruption of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, public institutions including school districts are finding new ways of going above and beyond to feed families. If your institution, organization, or coalition would like to share a story of efforts that may be inspirational or instructive to others who also are looking to fill these gaps in their communities, or illustrative of the importance of public institutions and resilient food systems, please contact us. |
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| | | | | | | National Young Farmers Coalition seeks federal policy impact stories |
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| | | Power of Procurement 2025 summit: The Power of Us |
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| | The Center for Good Food Purchasing is grateful beyond measure to the more than 250 Good Food leaders who gathered in Chicago, IL, in October to celebrate and unify βThe Power of Usβ at the Power of Procurement 2025 summit, as well as to our funding partners, PoP25 Steering Committee, event agency PCXP, and the many skilled contributors and vendors who made this event an inspiring and memorable experience. |
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| We look forward to continuing the conversations sparked at PoP25 with attendees and Good Food partners and champions throughout communities across the nation. Stay tuned for event takeaways and support growing connections and aligning with the Good Food movement to embrace whatβs next. |
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| | Photo credit: Norvellβs Photography |
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| | ICYMI: In Case You Missed It |
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| Southwest Regional Food Business Center Field to Table video |
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| βSmall farms and food businesses are the heart of resilient, healthy communities. When we support local producers, we keep food dollars circulating in our region, strengthen family farms, and expand access to fresh, nutritious food for everyone. Investing in local food systems isnβt just good for our economy, itβs essential for our health, environment, and shared future.
βThe Field to Table video, created by the Southwest Regional Food Business Center, spotlights the small and mid-sized food and farm businesses that have received business training and grants to help their business reach new markets and grow. Many of these entrepreneurs face barriers such as limited access to capital, resources, and infrastructure. Through targeted technical assistance, in areas like marketing, operations, supply chain logistics, and sustainability practices, the [Southwest Regional Food Business Center] helps bridge these gaps, empowering businesses to scale sustainably and strengthen regional food networks.
βTogether, these efforts are cultivating a more connected and resilient food system, one where farmers, food entrepreneurs, and communities can all prosper.β |
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| | | βItβs not just about making a decision to buy food, itβs about making a decision on how weβre going to live in the future - and thatβs whatβs really important.β |
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| The Common Market & partners like the Rockefeller Foundation are showing how institutions can use their purchasing power to advance equity, sustainability, and community impact. |
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| Second Mayoral Food Forum β Buffalo as a βGood Food Cityβ |
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| The second Buffalo Mayoral Candidates Food Forum, held on Oct. 29 at the Northland Workforce Training Center, asked Buffaloβs Mayoral Candidates to listen to residentsβ food-related experiences and to share their specific plans to foster fair food access for all in the city.
Numerous residents submitted questions for the candidates, asking about their plans for a range of food-related topics, including: Food-related education and employment for the cityβs youth; How they would respond to Federal-level funding cuts to food-related programs; What policies they would put in place to increase residentsβ access to vacant lots and to water for urban agriculture; How they intend to protect food chain workersβ rights; and How they will support Buffalo Public Schools in expanding their food purchasing programs to continue to increase healthy, fresh, and culturally relevant foods for students.
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| Credit: Lake Travis Independent School District |
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| Lake Travis ISD takes a βTour of Texasβ for National School Lunch Week |
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| Throughout National School Lunch Week, Oct. 13-17, Lake Travis Independent School District elementary students explored the flavors of Texas, stamping their Taste of Texas passports and learning about the stateβs rich agricultural roots.
Students enjoyed Texas Tostito Pie made with regionally produced beef from Ratcliff Premium Meats, Ruby Red Grapefruit (the official state fruit of Texas), local, organic rice proudly grown by Doguetβs Rice Milling Company, and Orange Creamsicle Milk from Oak Farms Dairy. |
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| | | Supplier Development Summit Nov. 6-7, 2025 |
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| The Supplier Development Summit is your chance to connect, learn, and grow. Whether youβre just exploring wholesale or ready to expand your market, these sessions will help you strengthen your business and build new partnerships. Register now for this free 2-day event that aims to provide early to small-scale farmers and food business owners (1-10 years in operation) with tools, resources, and practical actionable steps, to scale their business responsibly and develop wholesale readiness. |
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| Thursday-Friday, Nov. 6-7 All-access pass offers: Full access to both virtual programming and in-person experiences Combines training, networking, and personalized consultations Best value for participants who want the complete summit experience
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| Thursday, Nov. 6 Virtual programming pass offers: Access to all online sessions and workshops Opportunity to learn earn strategies in business development, operations, and capacity building Participation in live Q&A with consultants and TA providers Connections with other local farmers and food business owners
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| Friday, Nov. 7 Gary Comer Youth Center, Chicago, IL In-person networking & consultation pass offers: Access to the exhibition/resource fair with buyers & support organizations Networking opportunities with peers and procurement leaders One-on-one business consultations (by appointment, with walk-in options available)
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