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STRATEGIC ALLIANCE 221 Oak St. Oakland, CA 94607 Tel: 510.444.7738 Fax: 510.663.1280

Policy Detail

Policy Title	Establishing a Local Food Purchase Policy for Albany County
Policy Number	496-A
Measure Type	Resolution
Issue Area	nutrition
Date Enacted	02/02/2009
Jurisdiction	County
County	Albany County
State	New York
School District	(none)
Legislative Entity	County Council
Sponsor
Synopsis	Establishes a policy to create a certain percentage of local food that must be purchased for Albany County’s residential healthcare facilities and correctional facilities.
Brief Description	Recognizes the economic, environmental and health benefits of local food. Recognizes that local farmers can produce fresher and more varied produce. Charges the county Purchasing Agent to consult with the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets to establish the percentage of local foods to purchase for all the county’s residential health facilities and correctional facilities. Mandates that the commissioner periodically update lists of locally produced foods.
Health Implications	By developing preferential purchasing policies, local government provides food that is nutritious and delicious for its staff and clients, while creating a market for more sustainably-produced foods. The current, dominant food system (and purchasing practices) favors the production of highly-refined, calorie-dense foods, such as the high fructose corn syrup and sweeteners used to make soft drinks and fast foods. Consumption of these high calorie-foods can lead to nutrition-related illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Additionally, the miles that food travels from farm to plate contributes to U.S. air pollution, which has been linked to high rates of asthma. Local government entities have the opportunity to help prevent these food-related health concerns by creating a demand for locally grown food, while at the same time modeling good nutrition in their institutions and influencing how food is produced and distributed.
Policy Profile
Actual Policy Language	200903191727120.AlbanyLocalFood.pdf
Appropriations	No
Funds Allocated	0
Funding Period Start
Funding Period End
Primary Contact Name	Sam Davidson
Primary Contact Title	Program Assistant
Primary Contact Organization	Prevention Institute
Primary Contact Phone	510-444-7738
Primary Contact Email	sam@preventioninstitue.org
KeyWords / Policy Target	Sustainable foods, Clean air, Agriculture, Access to Fresh Food
ENACT Environment	Government Healthcare Workplace
Notes
Policy Status	Adopted
Date Last Updated	03/26/2009