Food Standards 

The New York City Food Standards (the Food Standards) were established in 2008 and reaffirmed by Executive Order 8 in 2022 and are required in all NYC government agencies. The Food Standards aim to reduce the prevalence of chronic disease, such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, by increasing access to healthy foods and improving dietary intake. The Food Standards set guidelines for any government facility where food is served, including vending machines, meetings/events and for the approximately 219 million meals served each year at the City’s facilities and programs including schools, older adult centers, child care centers, after school programs, shelters, public hospitals, correctional facilities and other City programs.

The NYC Standards for Meals and Snacks Purchased and Served (Meals and Snacks Standards) fall under the Food Standards and help to combat some of the structural inequities that make healthy eating inaccessible for those with limited resources by ensuring that any New Yorker accessing meals or snacks from City agencies and their contractors will be served more nutritious foods. The Standards recognize the importance of promoting an economically and environmentally sustainable food system that supports local and regional economies while minimizing environmental impacts and the alignment of this effort with long-term public health goals. Requirements and recommendations related to Good Food Purchasing framework priorities are included throughout the Standards and reflect the interrelated nature of promoting individual, community and planetary health.

You can view the Meals and Snacks Standards here as well as the implementation guide here.

Each year, we compile data on City agency compliance to the Food Standards. You can read the latest report here.