Food purchasing criteria

Purchasing that values environmental sustainability preserves natural resources, promotes sustainable agricultural systems, builds ecological resilience, and emphasizes environmental stewardship. Look for products that carry the following third-party verified certifications that address environmental sustainability:

• American Grassfed
• Animal Welfare Approved by a Greener World
• Aquaculture Stewardship Council (accepted for farmed kelp, seaweed only)
• Bee Better
• Best Aquaculture Practices (accepted for farmed mollusks only)
• Bird Friendly*
• Certified Grassfed by A Greener World
• Certified Naturally Grown*
• Demeter Certified Biodynamics
• Equitable Food Initiative
• Food Alliance
• Food Justice Certified*
• GlobalG.A.P. (accepted for farmed mollusks and kelp, seaweed)
• Grasslands Alliance
• Land to Market Verified
• Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF)
• Marine Stewardship Council 
• Rainforest Alliance
• Real Organic Project*
• Regenerative Organic Certified*
• Responsible Fisheries Management Certified Sustainable
• Salmon Safe
• Sustainability Grown Certified
• USDA Organic
• USDA Transitional Organic*

*Program has USDA Organic as a base for certification. 
 

Purchasing that values local and community-based economies looks at building regional economies that promote local, diverse small and mid-sized businesses with a central focus on businesses owned and operated by individuals who have experienced negative systemic social and/or economic impacts, including but not limited to women, veterans, persons with disabilities, or people of color. Local is defined as food that is grown/raised or processed within 250 miles of your institution (500 miles for meat, poultry, and seafood).  Look for suppliers representing minority and women owned business enterprises (MWBEs). Some of the certifications to look for include:

• Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
• Women Business Enterprise (WBE)
• Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
• Women Owned Small Business (WOSB)

For internationally-grown products produced by small-scale farmers and farmer-owned cooperatives, look for the following third-party verified certifications:  

• Fair for Life
• Fairtrade International
• Small Producers Symbol
   

Purchasing that values animal welfare prioritizes healthy, humane conditions for farm animals that meet their mental, physical, and behavioral needs. Look for products carrying the following third-party verified certifications that address high animal welfare standards:

• American Grassfed Association
• Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World
• Certified Grassfed by A Greener World
• Certified Humane
• Certified Humane – Barn Raised, Free Range & Pasture Raised
• Global Animal Partnership (GAP), Steps 1-5+
• 100% Grassfed by Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO)
• Regenerative Organic Certified*
• USDA Organic

*Program has USDA Organic as a base for certification. 
 

Purchasing that prioritizes a valued workforce emphasizes safe and dignified working conditions, fair compensation, the right to organize and to a grievance process, and equal opportunity for employment for all workers in the food supply chain. Look for products from suppliers carrying any of the following third-party verified certifications or participating worker-driven social responsibility programs:

• Equitable Food Initiative
• Fair Food Program
• Fairtrade International
• Food Justice Certified*
• Milk With Dignity

*Program has USDA Organic as a base for certification.

Purchasing that values community health and nutrition focuses on the health and well-being of hospital staff, patients, and community members. It also takes into consideration the human and community health impacts associated with the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture. Look for products carrying the following qualifying third-party verified certifications and label claims that ensure products are produced without the use of antibiotics for disease prevention or other routine purposes:
            
Certifications:

• American Grassfed
• Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World
• Certified Grassfed by A Greener World
• Certified Humane
• Certified Responsible Antibiotic Use (CRAU)
• Demeter Certified Biodynamic
• Food Alliance
• Food Justice Certified*
• Global Animal Partnership, Steps 1-5+
• Grasslands Alliance
• Real Organic Project
• Regenerative Organic Certified
• USDA Organic
• USDA Transitional Organic

*Program has USDA Organic as a base for certification. 

Label Claims: 

• No antibiotics used – labels to look for:
  • INAC Never Ever 3
  • No Antibiotics Ever (NAE)
  • Raised With No Antibiotics Ever (RWNAE)
  • Raised Without Antibiotics (RWA or RWOA) 
• No antibiotics important to human health/medicine used – labels to look for:
  • No Antibiotics Important to Human Health (NAIHH)
  • No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine (NAIHM)
  • No Antibiotics Used Important to Human Medicine (as defined by WHO)