Institutional food procurement programmes (IFPPs) refer to initiatives that are designed to link institutional demand for food to broader development objectives. In developing countries, IFPPs are increasingly viewed as approaches that facilitate the transformation of local food systems. This publication shares lessons from the Purchase for Progress (P4P) pilot initiative of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), as well as Brazil's National School Feeding Programme (PNAE) and the public Food Purchase Programme (PAA), with insights on the policy and institutional reforms required for developing and implementing IFPPs. In analysing the needs and constraints of buying institutions and small suppliers, the publication also provides practical guidance on tools and capacity building priorities required to build strong IFPPs. The analysis culminates in a programmatic framework to help the public sector to shape and implement IFPPs