Sodexo Community

Sustainability:
University of Minnesota, Morris

Agriculture is key to our local economy in the Midwest. As a part of our ongoing sustainability efforts, Sodexo at the University of Minnesota, Morris has worked closely with Pride of the Prairie and the Midwest Food Alliance to utilize local farms' products on campus.

Working in partnership with UMM, the first objective of our sustainability plan was to serve two completely sustainable local foods meals per year for our students. Our work in the first year showed that it was possible, but that infrastructure was lacking. Under the guidance of District Manager Don Kulick and Sodexo's Supply Management team, we began talking to our partners who agreed to open their dock doors to sustainable growers. A wonderful relationship was also formed with the Midwest Food Alliance, which certifies sustainable producers and farmers.

Now, we host the Pride of the Prairie Fall Feast and the Spring Local Foods Meals, featuring local products for 500-700 campus community guests. Our daily menus regularly include local and regional foods. Additionally, we are proud that the majority of our produce is sustainable between the months of July and October each year. We provide sustainably grown foods for conferences on campus as well as any catering events when requested.

The progress made on the Morris campus as well as with our suppliers, producers, and students shows an incredible journey to support sustainability. As General Manager Donna Bauck says "it's nice to get back to the basics, working more closely with farmers and personally knowing the people who raised the fresh ingredients we are using."

The University of Minnesota, Morris dining program went from spending zero dollars on sustainable foods in 2000 to well over $20,000 in 2006.

Local and Sustainable

"The University of Minnesota, Morris has been nationally recognized as a green campus. It is gratifying to know that we have a strong partnership with Sodexo in promoting and supporting campus sustainability issues. Sodexo's campus management and staff have provided leadership in local food initiatives, waste reduction and recycling programs, energy conservation programs, fair trade coffee programs, and most importantly, as a partner in helping to educate our most important resource, our students, in how they can choose to live in a more environmentally responsible manner. Morris is proud of our achievements, and Sodexo should also be proud of the role that they have played in working to promote campus sustainability."

Lowell Rasmussen
Vice Chancellor of Plant Services

View the full summary of the sustainability efforts at University of Minnesota, Morris as a PDF document here.

View all university sustainability profiles as a PDF document here.