Sodexo Encourages College Students to Support Vermont's Local Food Economy

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Nov. 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company committed to Quality of Life, organized and hosted the first-ever Taking Root Student Symposium to demonstrate the organization's commitment to buying locally-sourced products in Vermont and to teach college students in the state what it means to chart a career in food.

The symposium, which was held in partnership with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and Vermont's Farm to Plate, was just one of many strategies aimed at advancing Vermont's local food economy through the Sodexo initiative, Vermont First. In 2017, Sodexo's Vermont First program spent over 2.5 million dollars on locally-sourced food from approximately 195 local producers within the state.

"It is incredibly rare for students from across the state to gather to not only celebrate farm to institution, but to also make the connection between studying food systems and pursuing a career in that field," said Annie Rowell, Vermont First coordinator, Sodexo. "Sodexo is in the unique position to use the platform of Vermont First to bring together experts in the field to educate and teach Vermont students about the local food system and introduce ways to chart a career and make a difference."

The Taking Root Symposium, held at the University of Vermont where Sodexo is the dining provider, brought together several Vermont colleges. Students networked with 20 local producers and suppliers,  that are part of Sodexo's supply chain and Sodexo's Vermont First initiative, including Vermont Bean Crafters, VT99 Meats and Vermont Chevon. In a demonstration of the farm-to-institution initiative, attendees enjoyed an "eat the loop" meal, which is produced in a way that mitigates waste.

Started in 2014, Vermont First is Sodexo's commitment to help grow the state's food economy by purchasing local food first. Under the program, Sodexo works with farmers, distributors, processors, state government, non-profits and supply chain players within the farm to table economy to increase the amount of local food grown and sold in the state and beyond.

Sodexo incorporates local sourcing into the company's overall purchasing practices to further support the communities in which Sodexo does business. As part of the organization's corporate responsibility roadmap, called Better Tomorrow 2025, Sodexo is proud to enrich communities by sourcing local to focus on long-term sustainability.

Sodexo North America is part of a global, Fortune 500 company with a presence in 72 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, sports and leisure, government and other environments daily. The company employs 150,000 people at 13,000 sites in all 50 U.S. states and Canada and indirectly supports tens of thousands of additional jobs through its annual purchases of $9.2 billion in goods and services from small to large American businesses. Sodexo is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion and safety, while upholding the highest standards of corporate responsibility and ethical business conduct. In support of local communities across the U.S., the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation has contributed close to $32 million over the past 20 years to help feed children in America impacted by hunger. To learn more about Sodexo, visit SodexoUSA.com, SodexoInsights.com and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

Media Contact: Heidi Marino, Sodexo Inc., [email protected], 301 987 4609

SOURCE Sodexo

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