Any movement has to have a bigger vision we’re all aiming toward, but it’s our diversity that
gives us strength. The people most affected by a problem should be on the frontlines to
shape the strategies and direction for how we move forward. Local coalitions have been a
major driving force in winning Good Food Purchasing Program policy adoptions and drafting
language that reflects the impact they want to see for local communities, food producers,
jobs, the environment, and animals., Students and youth play an important role in shaping
campaigns and policies, and local coalitions ultimately become more representative and
powerful with students engaged in shaping these priorities.
Students and youth play an important role in
shaping campaigns and policies, and local coalitions
ultimately become more representative and powerful
with students engaged in shaping these priorities.
Although many different types of public institutions are working on adopting and implementing
the Good Food Purchasing Program, school districts represent the greatest purchasing
power and the most public dollars impacted by these policies. They’re simply a huge force for
driving the good food vision on a large scale. So students need to be the table, making their
voices heard and steering the food system in a more just, fair, healthy, and humane direction—
through policies like the Good Food Purchasing Program.
When it comes to schools, the reality is that almost all policy decisions are made by adults:
food service directors, school boards, and administrators.—The perspectives of students—
those who eat school food day in and day out and care deeply about their community’s food
system—are often missing.. It’s important for students to have a way to tell administrators and
their school boards what they care about. Whether it’s how farmers are treated, how their
school lunch contributes to climate change (and climate solutions), or how the food tastes or
reflects their culture—students deserve pathways to exercise their power. They can do that
by being involved in the Good Food Purchasing Program process at many stages. The Good
Food Purchasing Program should be grounded in student experiences and include systems
of accountability between those implementing the policy and the students most directly
impacted.
In every school district working to adopt and implement the Good Food Purchasing Program,
we hear the same question over and over again: how can youth get involved? This toolkit
provides some ideas—and hopefully inspires students and youth to come up with their own.
It isn’t meant to tell youth what to care about, but rather help students see for themselves how
the food system impacts them—and how they can create the food system they want.
(Right) Sarah Fuller and Bria Burrell of Phat Beets Produce in Oakland, California, showcasing their Ginger
BeetDown Kraut, a finalist in the Pickle Category at the 2019 Good Food Awards. Photo: Phat Beets Produce.
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