Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 49.48
Liaison William Clancey
Submission Date Jan. 3, 2023

STARS v2.2

Durham College
OP-8: Sustainable Dining

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 William Clancey
Chief Operating Engineer/Technical Service Manager Facilities Management
Facilities Management
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor host a farmers market, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery program, or urban agriculture project, or support such a program in the local community?:
Yes

A brief description of the farmers market, CSA or urban agriculture project:

The Centre for Food runs a CSA program, distributing approximately 50 bags/week


Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor host a sustainability-themed food outlet on-site, either independently or in partnership with a contractor or retailer?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability-themed food outlet:

The Centre for Food includes a pantry, where student made food items are sold. The pantry hosts a reusable mug discount program and all take out containers are compostable

https://www.bistro67.ca/pantry


Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor support disadvantaged businesses, social enterprises, and/or local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through its food and beverage purchasing?:
Yes

A brief description of the support for disadvantaged businesses, social enterprises, and/or local SMEs:

Aramark as Durham College's food service partner has increased the number of minority owned food businesses that they utilize as suppliers. Aramark is governed by an ESG framework.


Estimated percentage of total food and beverage expenditures on products from disadvantaged businesses, social enterprises, and/or local SMEs:
33

Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor host low impact dining events or promote plant-forward options?:
Yes

A brief description of the low impact dining events and/or plant-forward options:

On top of encouraging students to make healthy food options, as well as including vegan and vegetarian options everyday, Aramark has developed a label to encourage low impact dining food options:

https://durham-ontariotech.campusdish.com/HealthAndWellness/GetTheGoodStuff


Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor have a vegan dining program that makes diverse, complete-protein vegan options available to every member of the campus community at every meal?:
Yes

A brief description of the vegan dining program:

Aramark ensures they have a vegan substitution for the protein, on our home zone in our residence dining facility with every meal. They also have a rotating complete protein program and in retail locations, there is always a vegan option. There is a dedicated vegan station at lunch and dinner at South Village Dining Hall. Aramark also hosts Meatless Monday's.


Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor inform customers about low impact food choices and sustainability practices through labelling and signage in dining halls?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability labelling and signage in dining halls:

As part of Aramark's Health and Wellness program and environmental sustainability program, they have added signage and labels on grab and go food options.


Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor participate in a competition or commitment program and/or use a food waste prevention system to track and improve its food management practices?:
Yes

A brief description of the food recovery competition or commitment program or food waste prevention system:

Aramark have separate bins for spoilage/food waste which are weighed every night. food waste is measured daily to gain a better understanding of ways to reduce that waste and then composted. Using these metrics, staff are coached at how to further reduce unnecessary waste. Leftover prepared meals are also weighed to avoid over producing food.


Has the institution or its primary dining services contractor implemented trayless dining (in which trays are removed from or not available in dining halls) and/or modified menus/portions to reduce post-consumer food waste?:
Yes

A brief description of the trayless dining or modified menu/portion program:

The trayless dinning program has been running since Aramark's inception into Durham College.


Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor donate food that would otherwise go to waste to feed people?:
Yes

A brief description of the food donation program:

Durham College operates a food bank on campus for students in need where food waste is provided for healthy meals to students in need.


Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor divert food materials from the landfill, incinerator or sewer for animal feed or industrial uses?:
No

A brief description of the food materials diversion program:
---

Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor have a pre-consumer composting program?:
Yes

A brief description of the pre-consumer composting program:

Aramark utilizes a food waste system at South Village residence. All retail locations place pre-consumer food waste into bins which is then brought to the South Village food waste composting program.


Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor have a post-consumer composting program?:
Yes

A brief description of the post-consumer composting program:

All post-consumer food waste goes to the South Village composting program.


Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor utilize reusable service ware for “dine in” meals?:
Yes

A brief description of the reusable service ware program:

The South Village Dining Hall provides reusable items such as cups, plates, and cutlery for dine-in meals and hosts a composting eco-station.


Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor provide reusable and/or third party certified compostable containers and service ware for “to-go” meals (in conjunction with an on-site composting program)?:
Yes

A brief description of the compostable containers and service ware:

The cafeterias have compostable cutlery, Pizza Pizza trays and Quizno's wrapping paper is compostable. There is a back of the house composing program at all cafeterias as well as a front of the house program (eco-station) at the South Village Residence Dining Hall.

The Centre for Food's Bistro '67 and Pantry use compostable take-out containers exclusively


Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor offer discounts or other incentives to customers who use reusable containers instead of disposable or compostable containers in “to-go” food service operations?:
Yes

A brief description of the reusable container discount or incentives program:

Both Aramark and The Centre for Food run a program called Lug-a-mug. Clients are able to bring in there personal travel mugs and receive a discount.


A brief description of other sustainability-related initiatives not covered above:

Aramark has created a "get the good stuff" label to help students and staff make healthier food options: https://durham-ontariotech.campusdish.com/HealthAndWellness/GetTheGoodStuff

They also have a section on their website as it pertains to sustainability and health and wellness:

https://durham-ontariotech.campusdish.com/HealthAndWellness/GetTheGoodStuff
https://durham-ontariotech.campusdish.com/Sustainability


Website URL where information about the sustainable dining programs is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

http://www.liveitgood.ca/ - partner company for "get the good stuff" label on campus


http://www.liveitgood.ca/ - partner company for "get the good stuff" label on campus

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.