Sutainable Sourcing
Procurement standards
Sustainable Sourcing
Sustainability and supply chain practices
Sustainability is the foundation of future growth and we aim to lead our industry by example. We contribute to sustainable development around three thematic areas:People: Promoting safe working conditions and human rightsPlanet: Reducing our impact on environment and climateProfit: Complying with sound business standards
Procurement standards
Fresh produce
Vegetables and fruits should be the core of our diets for both health and environmental sustainability reasons.
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We maximize the variety of fresh produce we menu, aiming for products that embody the best of our region and season whenever local climates allow.
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We prefer to buy local produce through contracted distributors, rather than farmer-direct. This allows everyone to do what they do best - farming, cooking, distributing –rather than wear additional hats.
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We require distributors to help us certify farmers to meet guidelines for agricultural sustainability (supporting bio-diversity, water conservation, integrated pest management) and fair labor standards.
procurement standards
Eggs and pork
- We buy cage-free liquid eggs, shell eggs, egg yolks, and whites, and work to ensure that all of our chefs have access to a supply of eggs that are cage-free. Well-maintained indoor aviary systems fit our definition of “cage-free.”
- We buy pork from producers who are eliminating gestation crates and individuals stalls (where available).
- We appreciate that changing practices takes time and money and are willing to buy from producers who are in the process of making changes where they can demonstrate progress toward meeting goals by 2025 or sooner.
Procurement Standards
Meat and Dairy
- We buy meat from producers who are actively working toward eliminating medically-important antibiotics and have a commitment to do so by 2025 or sooner. We use the WHO definition for medically-important antibiotics and buy from producers who understand why the distinction between classes of antibiotics matter.
- We support producers who use antibiotics judiciously to treat illnesses in flocks or herds to protect small ranchers’ livelihoods and practice good animal welfare.
- Cows should not be tethered and raised solely indoors except in extreme cold or hot weather months where living outdoors is not their preference nor wise for their health. Where it is possible to trace our supplies, we do not buy dairy products from cows who are tethered or have no outdoor access.
procurement standards
Plant-based proteins and cellular meat
- Consistent with our belief that the healthiest diets are primarily composed of plants, that a general shift from meat to plants is necessary for the health of our Earth, and less pressure to eat meat will create conditions for better animal welfare, we actively promote menuing and recipe development of a wide variety of plant-based proteins that replace meat. These include mock meat, vegan cheese and other dairy products, eggless mayo, blended burgers and ‘meatballs.’
- For animal welfare reasons specifically, we are in favor of attempts to develop cell-based meat, whose DNA is the same as animals but whole animals do not have to be raised to be slaughtered. We strongly oppose efforts to criminalize the use of the word “meat” by producers of meat who employ cellular agriculture. Consumers who are allergic to meat proteins are also allergic to cell-based meat and need to be informed.
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