Homegrown: Implementing State & Local Preferences for Food Procurement

Government agencies often procure goods, including food, for use by employees, students, and community members. Generally, when a state or local agency purchases food, the agency uses a competitive process to find the supplier who can provide the lowest-priced goods. However, when government agencies give a competitive preference to locally grown food instead, government procurement can be used as a tool to improve American diets and benefit local food systems. This guide provides an overview of the factors affecting whether a state or local agency may specify a preference for procurement of locally produced food and agricultural products.