In a June 2021 national survey, Data for Progress assessed the attitudes of likely voters toward a series of federal food procurement guidelines proposed in its Food Procurement and Infrastructure memo. The survey found that voters across party lines overwhelmingly back measures to make the federal food procurement process more sustainable and equitable.

Toplines:

• 82 percent would support establishing a goal that federal government-supported programs and institutions spend at least 25% of their budget for ingredients on food produced by local farms.
• 71 percent would support a requirement that supplies who provide food to federal government-supported programs and institutions disclose supply chain data that includes the food’s farm of origin, as well as all of its processors and distributors.
• 59 percent would support the phase-in of a requirement that all federal food suppliers disclose the greenhouse gas emissions their company is responsible for.
• 60 percent would support federal food service programs gradually phasing out purchasing food from Confined Animal Feeding Operations, also know as “factory farms.”
• 71 percent would support establishing a goal that federal government-supported programs and institutions buy a portion of their ingredients from historically disadvantaged farmers, such as small family farmers, farmers of color, and women farmers.  

Read more at Data for Progress

The Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future conducted the National Farm Bill Poll 2023 to measure American voters’ attitudes and perceptions about relevant food systems issues to inform the 2023 Farm Bill debate. Though the survey did not address procurement specifically, it found broad support among respondents for related measures:  

• 94 percent said the federal government should support small- and mid-sized agricultural producers
• 84 percent are in favor of incentivizing farmers and ranchers to implement sustainable, resilient agricultural practices.
• 84 percent believe agricultural policies should be aligned to support the production and consumption of healthier foods
• 88 percent favor additional protections for meatpacking workers. 

Read more at Center for a Livable Future

In January 2020, the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals commissioned a national web-based survey to 1,000 American adults. The survey found that 65% of consumers think public institutions should only purchase meat, eggs and dairy products from animals raised more humanely.  

Read more at the ASPCA

CSPI polled 1,000 New York State residents in September 2020 for their opinions about food served by state-supported programs and institutions such as public hospitals, universities, childcare centers, prisons, senior centers, and food pantries.  

• 88 percent of respondents said they would favor the state adopting guidelines for state-supported institutions and programs to serve more healthy foods.  
• 65 percent said they would favor the state adopting guidelines for state-supported programs and institutions to serve fewer unhealthy foods.

Read more on the CSPI poll