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Catering giant to serve eco-friendly food
(Tuesday, June 10, 2003 -- CropChoice news) -- PORTLAND, Oregon, April 30, 2003 (ENS) - Sodexho, a major international provider of food and facilities management services with $5.5 billion in annual global sales, announced that it plans to feature foods endorsed by the Food Alliance, a certifier of environmentally friendly and socially responsible agricultural practices.
The company plans to offer Food Alliance certified foods on its menus at select venues throughout the Pacific Northwest and Midwest regions, including college and university campuses such as Seattle Pacific University and University of Minnesota, Morris.
"We are thrilled to be working with Sodexho in these two regions," said the Food Alliance's Executive Director Deborah Kane. "As a major player in the food industry, Sodexho is showing real leadership and sending a strong message - that the sustainable marketplace is real and that visionary companies will work to meet market demand for environmentally friendly and socially responsible food."
The Food Alliance is a national non-profit organization based in Portland, Oregon, is dedicated to promoting expanded use of sustainable agriculture practices using market-based incentives.
Under its eco-label program, the Food Alliance has certified more than 175 farms and ranches growing more than 200 different products have been certified.
According to Kane, certification requires adherence to a set of specific criteria that include pesticide reduction and elimination, soil and water conservation, wildlife habitat preservation, safe and fair working conditions, and healthy and humane care for livestock.
"We pay close attention to our customers' preferences," explained Kirt Ingram, regional vice president for Sodexho. "Increasingly we are hearing that they want us to offer healthy food grown locally with respect for the environment and farm workers. Working together with the Food Alliance, we will be able to satisfy our customers and do the right thing." | |
