District food policy office would oversee agency food purchases

The District's food policy office would advise on food contracts, take part in bid reviews, and develop buying standards. The work covers District agencies and their contractors that regularly buy food or drinks. Agencies and contractors that buy only for vending machines or one-time event catering are excluded. The standards address nutrition, the local economy, and environmental sustainability. These duties would start when the act takes effect after mayoral approval and a 30-day congressional review.

Covered buyers and the District's contracting office would have to provide the food policy office with needed food purchasing data. Covered buyers are District agencies and their contractors that regularly buy food or drinks. The District's contracting office must also share needed data. Agencies and contractors that buy only for vending machines or one-time event catering are excluded. The food policy office would combine the data to track District buying goals. The data-sharing duty would start when the act takes effect after mayoral approval and a 30-day congressional review.

The Food Policy Council would give the District Council a report on the local food system. The report would cover food access, areas with low access, and the local food economy across the District. The report would recommend ways to improve food access and the local food economy, including priorities for local investments. The first report would be due September 30, 2027, with another due every three years afterward.