Institutional Purchasing

The goal of the Institutional Purchasing Working Group is to work with institutions within Cuyahoga County to increase the amount of local food purchased and incorporated into food service systems.

The Institutional Purchasing working group is aiming to establish two new local buying initiatives; one through a local public entity and one at a private business.  Initial research will include an overview of local public agency buying pattern/policies (City Hall, CMSD, CCBH).  Increasing the number of relationships the group has with local businesses is a top priority.

Moreover, the group is aiming to have an article ready for publication on the economic impacts of local buying ready by February 1st.

Next working group meeting will be Wednesday Jan 16th from 2:00-3:30 pm at Talkies coffee shop (2521 Market  Street – cross street is W.25th and is located across from the Great Lake Brewing Company)

Objectives:

1. Research national models for institutional purchasing (ex. Woodbury County, IA, Oakland, CA)
2. Collaborate with one company to accept the 10% Corporate Challenge from the Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy to purchase 10% of their food from local farmers.
3. Research the current purchasing policy and contracts for food vendors at the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and local school district within the county.