Community
Social Responsibility
Our mission is to improve the quality of daily life for all the people we serve. Being socially responsible is central to this commitment. We strive to be the type of company and help to create the type of world we want for tomorrow. As a leading provider of outsourced food and facilities management services throughout North America, we're committed to continuing to lead our industry in helping to address the challenges that are impacting our communities.
We have always integrated ethical concerns into our business practices. In light of this, we have formalized a Supplier Code of Conduct to articulate our expectations of those businesses with which we have continuing supply relationships.
Food Alliance: Sustainable products are those considered to be environmentally friendly and socially responsible, and Food Alliance certified farmers must meet strict standards in reducing the use of pesticides, conserving natural resources and wildlife habitats conservation and providing safe and fair conditions for their workers. more information…
STOP Hunger: Since 1999, the Sodexo Foundation has been committed to being a driving and creative force that contributes to a hunger-free nation. In order to eliminate hunger that affects 36 million people in the U.S., we must fight its root causes... more information…
Manufacturing Partners: Sodexo has been an active member of industry coalitions which encourage legislators, manufacturers and consumers to jointly develop rational, not reactionary, strategies to today's environmental needs... more information…
You can help in a number of ways:
Take only the number of napkins you need per meal.
Take only one cup for beverage purchases... more information…
Sodexo's Environmental Action Program is complex and multifaceted, offering solid information and tools to make our customers, clients, employees, and society at large aware of environmental problems and how they can help. more information…
Food Alliance Background
Food Alliance operates the most comprehensive third-party certification program in North America for sustainably produced food. Food Alliance's Stewardship Council and Board of Directors use the following guiding principles to inform and direct their governance. These guiding principles provide a detailed definition of how Food Alliance defines environmental and social responsibility in agricultural production. When considered altogether they describe an ideal, comprehensive approach to agricultural production.
In order to become Food Alliance certified™, farmers and ranchers commit to improving their operations with respect to the guiding principles. Improvement efforts are evaluated over time by Food Alliance site inspectors. Each of the guiding principles has either a fixed standard or at minimum an individual evaluation item dedicated to it.
Food Alliance Guiding Principles
Food Alliance certified™ distinguishes foods produced by farmers and ranchers who:
- Provide safe and fair working conditions
Create a work environment with open communication about workplace safety and job satisfaction, with incentives and opportunities for development of employee skills; consider quality of life issues for farm workers and their communities. - Provide healthy and humane treatment of animals
Raise livestock with the greatest respect for their needs and comfort; provide livestock with access to sunlight, room to graze, and an environment where they can socialize and express normal animal behaviors; handle livestock with great care to minimize fear and stress. - Raise livestock without added hormones and antibiotics
Raise animals the natural way, without using hormones or antibiotics to stimulate growth; use antibiotics only to treat a sick animal to return it to health, not as a substitute for healthy living conditions. - Raise crops without genetically modified organisms (GMO's)
Raise crops or livestock products that are not derived from transgenic or genetically modified organisms; respect the public's concerns over potential ecological impacts or effects on human health. - Reduce pesticides usage and toxicity
Practice integrated pest management (IPM) using a wide range of natural pest control methods such as beneficial insects, careful weather monitoring and scouting. Use the least toxic pesticides only when natural methods don't work. Practice pest control that minimizes negative impacts to human health and environment. - Protect water resources
Preserve clean drinking water and fish habitat by providing buffer zones along streams; practice tillage methods that conserve soil's ability to absorb rainfall; manage animal wastes to prevent ground and surface water contamination. - Protect and enhance soil resources
Protect soils by maximizing plant cover, rotating crops, and using cover crops to enrich soil and increase productivity; use management-intensive grazing; use tillage methods that protect soil quality and promote soil conservation. - Provide wildlife habitat
Encourage vegetative cover, food, and water resources necessary for habitat; establish biological corridors; manage mowing and grazing cycles to have the least impact on wildlife: restore or protect wetland prairie and woodland habitats. - Continually improve
Set specific goals to reach new levels of sustainability; report progress toward goals annually.
Food Alliance also has a certification program for foods produced by handlers (packers, manufacturers and processors) verifying the traceability of Food Alliance certified™ product back to the farm, as well as environmentally and socially responsible practices at the handling facility. Food Alliance certified™ products are handled by food packers, manufacturers and processors who:
- Uses Food Alliance certified ingredients from sustainable farms and ranches
- Create natural products considering purity and nutritional value
- Ensure quality control and food safety
- Responsibly manage water and energy resources
- Responsibly manage waste with emphasis on recycling and reuse
- Provide a safe & fair work environment
- Commit to continuous improvement of these sustainable practices
Please visit the Food Alliance website for more information regarding these and many other partnership and volunteer opportunities available in your area: http://www.foodalliance.org/.
Our Manufacturing Partners
Sodexo has been an active member of industry coalitions which encourage legislators, manufacturers and consumers to jointly develop rational, not reactionary, strategies to today's environmental needs. We select our manufacturing partners watchfully. Fort Howard, our largest contracted supplier of paper, napkins, tissue and towels, uses recycled fiber exclusively in the manufacturing process. Mobil Chemical, our primary contracted source for plastic can liners, uses from 30% to 90% recycled materials in their plastic liners.
Sweetheart Cup, Solo Cup, Amoco, Dart and Mobil all use pre-recycled material in the manufacture of foam plates, bowls and food containers. Sodexo will continue to form alliances with business organizations that are ecologically sound and responsible. We will continue to work with consumer organizations, governmental agencies and industry groups to implement new strategies and tactics as they evolve. We will actively participate in the long-range planning process at the local and national levels to ensure that our environment and economy are protected for future generations to come.
How You Can Help...
You can help us help the environment in a number of ways:
- Take only the number of napkins you need per meal.
- Take only one cup for each beverage purchase.
- Use paper bags for carryout, where provided.
- Join our Recycle Mug Program or bring your own mug from home for beverage purchases.
- Recycle aluminum cans throughout campus at the designated recycling stations as well as at home.
- Dine in rather than carrying out.
- Get involved with your school and the Food Service Recycling Program.
Environmental Awareness Policy
Sodexo's Environmental Action Program is complex and multifaceted, offering solid information and tools to make our customers, clients, employees, and society at large aware of environmental problems and how they can help. This is a "living program" with an open-door policy: We will add to, amend, update and keep our programs current through publications, posters, newsletters and similar marketing and communication materials. Our program will be enhanced as new information is discovered and as we hear suggestions from our customers and clients.The following are key steps we follow to maximizing the impact we can make with our environmental programs:
- Use a Waste Stream Audit to identify the key campus opportunities.
- Review the audit summary with our customers and ask for your direction.
- Solicit campus support. Develop an action plan to focus on the initial issues.
- Draw together a task force of interested parties and delegate tasks.
- Meet with the task force and review progress as necessary.
- Support the objectives of the task force as needed.