Sustainability

Through thoughtfully engineered recipes, local partnerships, and various sustainable practices, our team strives to provide a sustainable dining experience. We take pride in our communities, so we strive to minimize food waste, reduce our consumption of resources, and reduce our carbon footprint through various sustainability initiatives.

Our Program

Responsibly Sourced

We purchase local, seasonal and responsibly raised, grown and sourced products whenever possible. We firmly believe responsible sourcing has a direct impact on people, animals, and the environment. We engage suppliers and partners to source environmentally and socially responsible products.

Waste Management

We reduce food waste across our operations with the dual goals of conserving resources and keeping food out of landfills. Our practices include back of house operational processes to reduce waste before it’s generated, programs to help consumers decrease food waste, feeding those in need during instances of excess safe, unserved food, and finally implementing composting programs wherever possible.

Community Involvement

We engage in community outreach in order to spread awareness of our efforts in sustainability as well as to educate and garner participation in our programs. We make it a top priority to partner with student-led environmental groups and other campus and community organizations on shared initiatives.

Initiatives

Recycling Stations

Multiple recycling receptacles are offered in both back of the house operations and in front of the house for our guests.

Residential Composting

Back-of-the-house composting is carried out at both Leo’s Market and The Table.

Ozzi Reusable Containers

Reusable to-go container program is offered at The Table in Leo’s.

Trayless Dining

Trayless dining program throughout campus implemented to conserve water.

Energy Efficient Lighting

Energy efficient lighting by converting to LED Lighting.

Safe Equipment

Energy Star rated equipment and low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints/glues in new construction and renovation.

How can I support sustainable dining?

Interested in more tips on how to live a more sustainable lifestyle while dining with us?

  • Be sure to clean your plate! While we do compost all post-consumer food waste in the dining hall, food waste is more than just the physical serving sitting on your plate; you are also wasting the materials and energy that went into preparing that food in the first place.
  • Divert waste from the landfill; utilize recycling receptacles or reusables whenever available.
  • Reach out to us and share what you value! The success of most sustainable programs depends on your participation. Please share your thoughts!