Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 67.36
Liaison Allison Maxted
Submission Date Feb. 17, 2022

STARS v2.2

Mohawk College
OP-8: Sustainable Dining

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Nicolai Strabac
Sustainable Programs and Services Coordinator
Sustainability Office/Facilities Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Sustainable dining initiatives

Local community engagement

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 Farm Stand is a project of the Sustainability Initiatives Fund operating from July to November at the Fennell Campus. Through a partnership with 100kmFoods Inc. the Farm Stand brings local, healthy fruits, vegetables and baked goods to campus while supporting local farmers and sustainable food systems. It is located in the MSA Plaza, underneath the bridge that leads to the David Braley Centre. 100km Foods is an Ontario company that brings locally produced fruits and vegetables into restaurants that are no more than 100kms away. https://www.100kmfoods.com/what-is-100km-foods-inc

Sustainability-themed outlet

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:
Roots and Seeds is a Chartwells inspired food concept within the College that offers healthy, fresh, local and vegan food. Students can choose from a variety of vegan protein options such as legumes, beans and tofu. Other options include superfoods, like quinoa and kale. http://dineoncampus.ca/mohawk/Menus/locations


Off-the Grid
Located in the new Joyce Centre, Off-the-Grid is a local coffee bar featuring hand crafted paninis and fresh salads. Freshly brewed, local Relay coffee,Patisserie Monaco pastries and baked goods.

Fuel Station
This is Mohawk's local coffee outlet. It supports Relay Coffee, a Hamilton Coffee Institution. This outlet also serves Local Market Fresh Ingredients.

Inclusive and local sourcing

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:
As mentioned, The Farm Stand purchases food from 100km foods, a local vendor. In addition, the Farmstand purchases baked goods from a local bakery Cake and Loaf.

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

Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor host low impact dining events or promote plant-forward options?:
No

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

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:
Roots and Seeds is a Chartwells inspired food concept within the College that offers healthy, fresh, local and vegan food. Students can choose from a variety of vegan protein options such as legumes, beans and tofu. Other options include superfoods, like quinoa and kale. http://dineoncampus.ca/mohawk/Menus/locations

Labelling and signage 

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:
"Within the Fennell Cafeteria, signage promotes and educates students about their sustainability practices and low impact food choices. At the cash register, students can see where some of their food choices are coming from through an interactive map of Ontario. This signage also lists food that comes from local grocers and the community. It also presents facts about their fair trade sustainable seafood products.

Other signage includes:
Roots to Seeds
-Chalkboard sign promoting organic tofu, sustainably sourced tuna, free-run eggs and 100% halala chicken.

Fuel Station
- We ""heart"" local signs noting where food comes from locally

Mohawk Farm Stand signage to promote the Farm Stand to students and employees.

Indulgables Labels
Healthy, local and gluten free promotion of the Indulgables brand."

Part 2. Food waste minimization and recovery

Food recovery program

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:
Stop Food Waste Day
Chartwells has a internal commitment to reduce food waste

http://chartwellshighered.com/2021/04/30/april-2021/
http://chartwellshighered.com/sustainability/

Trayless dining and portion modifications 

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 Mohawk College Cafeteria does not have any trays for lunch.

Food donation 

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:
The Mohawk Students' Association's student food bank is located at each campus in the MSA Office. This is a free service for students in emergency need of food. Campus foodservices supports wherever possible.

Every year, Mohawk College donates extra produce from the Community Garden and Farm Stand to a local food bank, Neighbour to Neighbour (N2N). During the last year, the Community Garden donated over 660lbs to N2N.

Food materials diversion 

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:
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Composting 

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:
Chartwells and the Mohawk Student Association Food Services composts all pre-consumer food waste in back of house composting bins that are wheeled out daily to be serviced by waste hauler, GFL.

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:
Mohawk College offers front-of-house organics collection at Fennell and Stoney Creek at central cafertia waste stations.

Dine-in service ware 

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:
Chartwells and the Mohawk Student Association offer reusable service ware for catering events.

Take-away materials 

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:
Chartwells uses Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) Certified products wherever possible. One use case is EarthPlus soup containers and coffee cups that are compostable. The Earth Plus line is third party certified by BPI. http://products.bpiworld.org/companies/sysco-foods-canada

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:
The MSA Foodservice offers an EcoMug program which allows free fountain drink refills with the purchase of a meal.

Optional Fields

A brief description of other sustainability-related initiatives not covered above:
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Website URL where information about the sustainable dining programs is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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