Sodexo and the Humane Society of the United States Team up to Tackle Climate Change with Plant-based Meals
20 April 2022 - 12:04AM
Sodexo, a global food services and facilities management leader, is
expanding its collaboration with the Humane Society of the United
States (HSUS) with new initiatives aimed at tackling climate change
and reducing the company’s carbon footprint. The new initiatives
focus on increasing plant-based menu options that will end up on
Sodexo menus at hundreds of universities across the United States.
This is part of Sodexo’s overall strategy to reduce their carbon
emissions 34% by 2025.
The HSUS has been working with Sodexo for more than 15 years to
foster a more humane supply chain by developing responsible
sourcing strategies and, more recently, to increase the number of
plant-based offerings at its dining facilities by providing
technical assistance via recipes, sample menu ideas, nutritional
advice and hands-on culinary training. The continuation of the
successful collaboration with the HSUS further speaks to Sodexo’s
commitment to quality ingredients, health, sustainability and
addressing evolving consumer dietary preferences.
Sodexo’s internal analysis has shown that at least 70% of their
U.S. supply carbon footprint was related to animal-based food
purchases in fiscal year 2020. Production of plant-based foods
emits significantly less greenhouse gasses and requires less water
and land when compared to animal-based foods. According to the
recent Innova Health & Nutrition Survey, 23% of
18-to-25-year-olds adhere to either a vegetarian or vegan diet,
with nearly a third of youth increasing their consumption of
plant-based proteins in 2021 alone. To meet this demand, Sodexo
Campus is aspiring to have 42% of their planned menu offerings
being plant-based by 2025.
Plant-Based Takeovers are an example of a new initiative already
in–progress. The Takeovers involve Sodexo chefs undergoing
plant-based menu training led by the HSUS. The chefs then prepare
nutritious plant-based menu items for each station in the
university’s dining hall. Students, staff and faculty at the 140
Sodexo universities that have implemented the program are invited
to try each of the items and provide feedback.
"It’s important for us to receive feedback directly from the
customer as it helps us identify which plant-based dishes will
become permanent fixtures on our menus," explained Chef Jennifer
DiFrancesco, director of culinary innovation for Sodexo
Campus.
"Any sustainability plan that’s meant to create real change—and
not just be greenwashing jargon—will center on shifting from a
meat-heavy menu to one that’s focused on plant-based entrées. I’m
thankful to Sodexo for being a leader in the industry by committing
to the tangible changes required to meet greenhouse gas emission
goals. By developing a plant-based initiative that includes menu
goals, recipe innovation and customer satisfaction, Sodexo has
found a formula for success," said Karla Dumas, RDN, director of
food service innovation for the Humane Society of the United
States.
Overall, Sodexo is committed to serving plant-based meals
wherever and whenever possible in an effort to reduce the impacts
of climate change. The ongoing collaboration with the HSUS
continues to be integral in fulfilling these plant-based
commitments.
About Sodexo North America
Sodexo North America is part of a global, Fortune 500 company
with a presence in 56 countries. Sodexo is a leading provider of
integrated food, facilities management, and other services that
enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities
and improve quality of life for millions of customers in corporate,
education, healthcare, senior living, government, Sodexo Live! and
other environments daily. The company employs 125,000 people at
thousands of sites in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Puerto Rico and
Guam, and indirectly supports tens of thousands of additional jobs
through its annual purchases of $20B in goods and services from
small to large businesses. Sodexo is committed to supporting
diversity, equity, inclusion and safety, while upholding the
highest standards of corporate responsibility and ethical business
conduct. In support of local communities across the U.S., in 2021,
the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation mobilized more than 11,000
volunteers to distribute 1.8 million meals to help 2.5 million
children and adults meet their immediate food needs. Since 1996,
the Stop Hunger Foundation has contributed $38 million to help feed
children in America impacted by hunger. To learn more about Sodexo,
visit us.sodexo.com, and connect with us
on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.
About the Humane Society of the United States
Founded in 1954, the Humane Society of the United States fights
the big fights to end suffering for all animals. Together with
millions of supporters, we take on puppy mills, factory farms,
trophy hunts, animal testing and other cruel industries. With our
affiliates, we rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals
every year through our animal rescue team’s work and other hands-on
animal care services. We fight all forms of animal cruelty to
achieve the vision behind our name: A humane society. Learn more
about the Humane Society's work.
Amanda Giffi
Sodexo
Amanda.Giffi@sodexo.com
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