1. Chapter 187A
LOCAL PRODUCER, LOCAL‐FOOD
PURCHASER, & SUSTAINABLE
BUSINESS
PREFERENCE CODE
Co‐Presented by Jenita McGowan, Office of Sustainability and
Shanelle Johnson, Office of Equal Opportunity

2. LOCAL PRODUCER, LOCAL‐FOOD
PURCHASER, & SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS
Purpose
Promotes self‐help for the regional economy by
providing incentives/credits to local companies that
compete for City work.
Background
•2008: Mayor Jackson’s challenge to public and private
sector, invest additional $2 billion in our local economy.
•In 2009: Incentives for local producers including food
growers
•Early 2010: Ordinance was passed

3. LOCAL PRODUCER, LOCAL‐FOOD
PURCHASER, & SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS
Time Period City County Region
2008 40% 51% 61%
2009 49% 63% 72%
City Purchase Dollars Spent on Companies by Location

4. LOCAL PRODUCER, LOCAL‐FOOD
PURCHASER, & SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS
Ordinance
•Created with input from the Cleveland‐Cuyahoga County Food
Policy Coalition, Cleveland City Council, the Office of
Sustainability and the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO)
•Creating a “self‐help” regional economy by providing incentives:
•Bid discounts on competitively bid contracts
•Evaluation credits on professional service contracts
• 3‐possible incentives: Local Producer, Sustainable Business and
Local Food Purchaser

5. LOCAL PRODUCER ~ LPE
Companies headquartered in the 5‐county region which
fabricate, process or supply goods or services in the
region; Certified through OEO.
• 5‐county region includes: Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake,
Lorain and Medina
As well as growers or producers of food headquartered in
a wider 15‐county region; Certified through OEO.
• 15‐county region includes: the above 5 counties, as
well as, Ashland, Erie, Holmes, Huron, Portage,
Richland, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and Wayne
2% Bid Discount or 2 Evaluation Credits

6. SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS ~ SUBE
Companies headquartered in the 5‐county region
which meet certain sustainability practices set by
the Office of Sustainability; Certified through
OEO.
• 5‐county region includes: Cuyahoga,
Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina Counties
2 % Bid Discount or 2 Evaluation Credits

7. LOCAL FOOD PURCHASER
Companies which purchase local food in an
amount not less than 20% of their City contract
from within a 15‐county region.
• 15‐county region includes: Cuyahoga,
Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Ashland, Erie,
Holmes, Huron, Portage, Richland, Stark,
Summit, Tuscarawas and Wayne
2% Bid Discount or 2 Evaluation Credits (on a
contract by contract basis)

8. Local Producer ~ LPE
Must register with OEO as a Local Producer. To register, complete and submit a
certification application. Applications can be downloaded from OEO’s
website at www.city.cleveland.oh.us/oeo .
Local Food Purchaser
Companies submitted bid or proposal should include schedules and
attachments indicating their commitment and ability to purchase a
minimum of 20% local food. OEO determines compliance with the Local
Food incentives.
• Cleveland is one of the first cities in the nation to provide this type of
incentive
Example of a contract where Local Food Purchaser incentive applied:
• City of Cleveland Cafeterias
Implementation

9. Sustainable Business ~ SUBE
Must register with OEO as a Sustainable Business. To register complete and
submit a certification application. In order to be certified, company must
already be certified by an approved Sustainability program.
Accepted Sustainable Business Program Certifications
1. Green Plus
• www.gogreenplus.org
2. E4S, Green City Certification Program
• www.e4s.org
Implementation

10. Green Plus Program www.gogreenplus.org
Steps
• Diagnostic Survey
• Feedback/Diagnostic Report
• Green Plus Mover OR Certified Green Plus
• If a Mover: Create Sustainability Plan
• Implement Changes and resubmit Diagnostic Survey
• Certification
• Site Visit/Audit
• Cost: $350 through chamber of commerce or $550 if
not a member.

11. Based on an E4S Sustainability Implementation Group
Program launched in 2005
First Steps: Topic specific modules that include two
workshops and one self‐assessment. Topics include
waste reduction, energy efficiency, green procurement
and more.
Integrated Strategies: A 6‐8 month strategic planning
process aligned with SC2019 Strategies and City of
Cleveland vendor requirements.
Price: $750
Please call Mike at 216‐451‐7755 or visit www.e4s.org
for more information
Green City
Certification Program

12. Nuts and Bolts
• Can receive multiple discounts or credits up to a
maximum of 4%; can also be combined with the
CSB/MBE/FBE discount or credit for up to 9%
• Sustainable Businesses must be certified by an
approved rating system or program
• Local Food Purchaser must show invoices that
prove 20% local food purchases over the length of
the contract
• Administrated by OEO

13. Example:
Company A Company B
Headquartered in New York Certified Local Producer (2% Discount)
Not Certified Sustainable Certified Sustainable (2% Discount)
Bid: $97/shipment Bid: $100/shipment
Bid Discount = 0% Bid Discount = 4%
Bid Evaluated at: $97 Bid Evaluated at: $96
Not Awarded Contract Awarded Contract
N/A Award Amount: $100

14. Jenita McGowan, Sustainability Manager
City of Cleveland
216‐664‐2444 Ext 5579
jmcgowan@city.cleveland.oh.us
Shanelle Johnson, Assistant Administrator, OEO
216‐664‐4029
sjohnson5@city.cleveland.oh.us
Contact Information