The Ohio State University at Newark
OP-6: Food and Beverage Purchasing

The percentage of food products that meet the stated requirements fluctuates as specials are offered, and depending on the nature of the caterings that we are currently servicing. The application of Third-Party certifications is not currently a primary consideration in our food purchases and menu planning, nor do we record which products meet these specifications. We do purchase from local vendors within the 250-mile radius (Crimson Cup Coffee and Roth Produce in particular), but the products purchased may or may not be locally grown. In the case of Crimson Cup, the coffee beans that they import are roasted in Columbus, OH, and all aspects of processing do take place locally. Our potato chip and pretzel provider is Ballreich’s, an Ohio based company out of Tiffin. Ballreich’s produces 100% of their products in Ohio, and about 50% of their potatoes are grown locally.

Our prime vendor is US Foods, a broadline national food service distributor. Roughly 75% of all food purchases occur through this vendor. Nearly 100% of our meats, paper products, and dry grocery items are obtained through them. Additionally, 90% of our fresh produce, and 50% of our dairy products are purchased through Roth Produce, an Ohio company. 100% of our coffee and coffee-related purchases are through Crimson Cup Coffee, also an Ohio based roaster and distributor. We also purchase soda and bottled beverages through an exclusive agreement with Coca-Cola, and most of our potato chip and pretzels are supplied by Ballreich’s.