The San Diego County Board of Supervisors moved ahead with the implementation of the Sustainable, Equitable, and Local Food Sourcing Policy, a plan led by Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and adopted by the Board of Supervisors in December. The Board voted Tuesday to receive an update on the policy’s progress so far, while identifying next steps.

The landmark policy promotes investment in local food sources by requiring the County to follow six core values in food procurement: local sourcing, equity-informed sourcing, elevated labor standards, organic or regenerative certification, low-carbon intensity, and nutritional co-benefit.

“San Diego County is one of the largest food purchasers in our region, so policies like this make a real difference to our local farms, businesses, and workers,” said Terra Lawson-Remer, vice chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Buying nutritious, locally sourced food also decreases healthcare costs and greenhouse gas emissions, which is good for the well-being of our people and the planet.”

The policy has already produced several benefits, including:

• Supporting the Local Economy: Increased food sourcing from local suppliers, and partnerships with suppliers like Grimmway Farms and Custom Produce Sales to benefit the regional economy. 
• Reducing Emissions: Prioritizing sustainably produced food from local sources reduces carbon emissions.
• Equity-Informed Sourcing: Exceeded the goal to increase spending with certified diverse suppliers to 25 percent.
• Elevated Labor Standards: The contract requires suppliers to adhere to high labor standards, promoting safe working conditions, fair treatment, and opportunities for advancement. 

The County renewed its contract last month with Sysco Foods, which has signaled a strong commitment to Board Policy B-75 through various initiatives. The contract supplies food, preparation supplies, and equipment across County departments, ensuring the delivery of millions of meals annually to some of the most vulnerable residents in the region, while meeting State and Federal requirements. 

As part of the County’s ongoing commitment to cultivating local and diverse businesses, Sysco Foods will partner with the County to offer training and development programs for small businesses interested in becoming suppliers. These efforts will include targeted outreach, training, and capacity-building initiatives, with the goal of expanding opportunities for local businesses in future food-related contracts.

The County will continue to monitor and report on the progress of the contract and the implementation of Board Policy B-75. An action plan will be developed to continue uplifting and cultivating local businesses, with updates provided to the Board before any contract renewals.