DATE:
March 3, 2026
16
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
PROGRESS REPORT ON THE COUNTYWIDE FOOD CONTRACT (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On March 12, 2024 (9), the Board of Supervisors (Board) directed the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to issue a competitive solicitation for a Countywide food contract; track progress on Board Policy B-75 County of San Diego Sustainable, Equitable, and Local Food Sourcing (Board Policy B-75) values; return to the Board; and develop an action plan to support local businesses. The resulting Countywide food contract with Sysco, effective September 2024, was among the first to implement Board Policy B-75. Its scale makes it a key tool for advancing policy commitments and expanding local procurement in the agriculturally diverse region. Sysco's reach and infrastructure as a large food distributor ensures institutional needs are met while creating pathways for local farms to access larger markets. Focusing on the County of San Diego's (County) most frequently purchased produce items, some of which are already grown locally, provides a practical entry point and lays the foundation for systemic change.
On December 9, 2025 (31), the Board directed the CAO to set ambitious and achievable goals aligned with Board Policy B-75, address barriers, reach out to the Farm Bureau, and provide an update on progress to stakeholder engagement and technical assistance. Action has been taken to accelerate the progress of County-administered food programs by setting outcome commitments that increase incrementally over the next five years and will demonstrate increased momentum and progress in the six value categories. These goals, integrated into our operations as lasting commitments, will be achievable through reimagining requirements for our County-administered food programs to reduce challenges in making values-aligned purchases, such as evaluating ways to mitigate packaging requirements. Additionally, we have enhanced our outrea...
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