Fleming College
OP-7: Food and Beverage Purchasing

Aramark is the current contractor responsible for Fleming's Food and Beverage program. A description of their sustainable food and beverage program is a follows:

"Food is an integral part of our commitment to sustainability. We have and continue to dedicate increasing resources and energy in this area to help direct our food purchases to those that are produced and procured in an ecologically, environmentally and socially responsible manner and to partner with new and existing suppliers to increase the availability of such foods. Through this means we can help support local farms and businesses and environmentally responsible farming, conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gases, improve air and water quality; support fair labour conditions for workers and humane care for livestock; and protect the vitality of farmland and wildlife habitats.

To date we have developed four key purchasing initiatives that focus on: Locally grown / raised foods; Ecological and Humane foods; Sustainable Seafood; and Socially Responsible Products (e.g. Fair Trade and Rain Forest Alliance Certified). We are not satisfied with simply maintaining the industry standard – our philosophy is that each year should be considered a new benchmark for the year to come.

Local Purchasing and Partnerships:
We are committed to sourcing locally, providing foods grown and processed within the region surrounding our operations. We work to source as locally as possible; within 250 miles; or the home province / region. Where not feasible, we place an emphasis on sourcing products within Canada. We source a number of products to provide food choices which affirm cultural traditions and support local communities.

Ecological and Humane:
Beyond origin, we recognize that how foods are produced can have a significant impact on our environment and communities. We work to partner with producers who have expanded sustainability practices and who are committed to protect the vitality of their land, their livestock and employees. Within Ontario, we partner with Local Food Plus, helping to source third party certified local products that are more sustainably produced. We currently source LFP certified produce, processed products, and grass fed beef from Bogle Pass Angus, as well as a variety of hormone and antibiotic free protein products, and continue to expand in this direction as availability and demand requires. We also offer organic products such as yogurts, teas, snacks, fruits and vegetables as requested.

Across North America, we are working with our protein supplier to support the elimination of gestation crate pork from our supply chain, as well as our egg suppliers to move toward eggs sourced from enriched / modified cages, as well as free run facilities.

Sustainable Seafood Policy & Partnership:
ARAMARK Canada is partnering with our seafood suppliers, distributors and industry leaders in sourcing and transitioning to more sustainable seafood. Through our Sustainable Seafood Initiative we will transition 100% of our contracted seafood to those that are certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP), or OceanWise by 2013. We are also working with the Marine Stewardship Council on Chain of Custody Certification for our operations.

Socially Responsible Products:
We are committed to purchasing Fair Trade and Rain Forest Alliance Certified Products, combined with organic certification where possible. We serve 100% Certified Fair Trade Organic Coffee through our in house Coffee concept – Coffeecompany, and also source Fair Trade Certified chocolate, cocoa and sugar through key partners including Cocoa Camino and Just Us! Cooperatives. In 2012, we purchased almost 81,000 Lbs of Fair Trade and/or Organic certified coffee across Canada and over 4.5 million Rainforest Alliance certified tea bags. In addition, our Coffeecompany concept uses cups made from a minimum of 25% post-consumer recycled content and has a built-in thermal wrap to eliminate the need for extra sleeves.

Other Sustainability Programs: Green Cleaning

Our EcoLogic program ensures that our daily ware-washing practices minimize the use of environmentally-harmful chemicals. The hand-soap, all-purpose cleaner, glass and floor cleaning products all carry the Green Seal certification.

Third-party verified sustainable items are incorporated into the purchasing program including MSC and BAP certified seafood, Rainforest Alliance certified tea, and Fairtrade certified coffee and chocolate.
Locally processed foods make up 60% of total purchases and Aramark is beginning a new program with the College to support more locally grown produce, including a partnership with the school-managed Campus Garden

Aramark recently took over the food and beverage contract at Fleming in 2012.

The percentage above was calculated using a representative sample for the period Sept. 1 - Nov. 30, 2012.

In addition, as further support of the sample calculation, Aramark has provided assurance that the percentage was in line with that of Trent University, to whom Aramark also provides food services, and which is located same city as Fleming College.