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Truely Local
/Pages/ArticleView.aspx?ArticleID=1YesSustainability

 Our Truely Local program supports a variety of environmental and socio-economic issues including:
ü  The preservation of the American family farm, agricultural landscape, open space and wildlife habitat. A series of academic studies indicate that British farms, owned and operated by family members as a primary income, are disappearing at a fast rate and that a majority of these farms will be gone by 2020. These farms also help keep the countryside open and undeveloped.
ü  The economic viability and food security of communities. Economic experts advise that the health of our communities is dependent on maintaining a viable local food supply. Small and medium size farms, typically family owned, contribute to local government budgets and to the ability to create wealth regionally. Also, there are some concerns that as a country we are losing the ability to feed ourselves as we become more dependent on foods from other countries.
ü  The protection of a biodiverse food system. Today’s industrial system focuses on varieties of produce for their ability to harvest well, to pack well, to ship well. They have long shelf life in the stores. Typically this means just a handful of rigorous hybrid varieties with very little genetic diversity. This is limiting our food supply to much fewer varieties and some are concerned that this increases our exposure to common plagues.
ü  The encouragement of sustainable farming methods. Small and medium scale farmers and ranchers are better able to act as conscientious stewards of their land. Then tend to pay more attention to sensitive ecological zones on farm and are more likely to use fewer chemicals.
ü  The reduction of our carbon footprint. Local foods travel an average of 45 miles before arriving at the dinner table, compared to the average of 1500 miles.
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3/1/2011
  
Earth Month
/Pages/ArticleView.aspx?ArticleID=2YesSustainability

Supporting the preservation of the American family farm, reducing the carbon foot print of our supply chain and giving back to the local communities are central to our core values. In collaboration with our partners at the Institute for Agricultural Trade policy, we are seeking to reduce our dependence on factory farming and to partner with qualified local and regional growers to encourage our units to develop relationships with local farms whenever possible. Our goal is to develop partnerships with 2013 American family farms by 2013.
 
In support of our companywide commitment to sustainability and wellness, Compass Group has been making strides to establish relationships with local farmers and produce distributors to encourage local buying and promote seasonally available produce. Compass Group defines “local” as typically within a 150 radius from the producing facility. A “local farmer” farms as an occupation, not a hobby.

We encourage our managers and chefs to build relationships with local farmers and produce distributors. To ensure food safety and traceability of local produce, purchasing should be done through the approved produce distributor.​

 

3/1/2011
  
Seasonal Press
/Pages/ArticleView.aspx?ArticleID=3YesPromotions

The fresh, seasonal, authentic flavors of locally grown produce taste great and support local communities and the environment. Below are a just few of the many reasons to both buy and eat local:

1. Freshness and Taste. Food grown in your own community was probably picked within the past day or two. It’s crisp sweet and loaded with flavor.
2. Better for you. A recent study showed that fresh produce loses nutrients quickly. The more miles from the farm to your table, the lower the nutrient content.
3. Preserves variety and genetic diversity. Local farms grow a huge number of varieties to provide a long season of harvest, an array of eye-catching colors, and the best flavors.
4. GMO free (ie not genetically modified). Local farmers don’t have access to genetically modified seed, and most of them wouldn’t use it even if they could.
5. Supports local farm families. Local farmers who sell direct to consumers cut out the middleman and get full retail price for their food – which means farm families can afford to stay on the farm, doing the work they love.
6. Strengthens the local economy. Keeps dollars circulating in local community, as well as generating employment.
7. Preserves open space. When you buy locally grown food, you are doing something proactive about preserving the agricultural landscape.
8. Keeps your taxes in check. Farms contribute more in taxes than they require in services, whereas suburban development cost most than it generates in taxes, according to several studies.
9. Environment. Local farmers appreciate and respect the value of fertile soil and clean water. Local food dramatically reduces energy and transportation costs and minimizes pollution and packaging.
10. It’s about the future. By supporting local farmers today, you help ensure that there will be farms in your community tomorrow, and that future generations will have access to nourishing, flavorful, and abundant food.

3/1/2011