Deacon Dining’s Commitment to Sustainability going into the 2025 School Year
Deacon Dining: Committed to Sustainable Eating and Sourcing with Purpose
As we approach the New Year, the team at Deacon Dining is already hard at work, planning menus and ingredients for the year ahead. At the heart of these plans is a strong commitment to sustainability, community sourcing, and ensuring that every meal is crafted with purpose. With an increasing focus on eating responsibly, Deacon Dining is proud to prioritize ingredients that are both good for the planet and nourishing for the body.
Sustainable Sourcing: A Promise to the Planet
One of the keyways Deacon Dining contributes to sustainability is through the purchasing power of their ingredients. Deacon Dining aims to source 30% of their food spend on products with verifiable sustainability claims. Using the AASHE STARS 3.0 framework, Deacon Dining prioritizes purchasing ingredients—primarily animal protein products—that have been vetted and certified by trustworthy third-party organizations such as Global Animal Partnership (GAP), Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC), and the USDA. These certifications represent the ethical and responsible practices used to produce the food Deacon Dining serves. Brasstown Beef, Deacon Dining’s largest beef purveyor for example, holds the GAP Animal Welfare Step 4 certification, guaranteeing that the animals were raised in an enriched environment mimicking their natural environment. For seafood, Deacon Dining follows the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch recommendations on seafood items meeting certification, such as the Marine Stewardship Council, best choice, alternative choice, or products to avoid.
Our chefs are dedicated to finding ingredients that support the health of the planet, the lives of those who produce it, and the people who eat our food. We don’t just focus on the immediate quality of our ingredients, but also on the long-term impact of the choices we make.
Nourishing the Next Generation: Eating with Purpose
Deacon Dining’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond just environmental impact – it’s also about the people they serve. Wake Forest University’s motto, “Pro Humanitate,” or “For Humanity,” embodies the idea that our work should benefit the lives of those around us – and Brian Cohen, Assistant Director of the Office of Sustainability Engagement, emphasized this balance during a recent meeting: “It’s as much about people as it is the environment.” The team takes pride in sourcing ingredients that not only support a healthy planet but also promote the well-being of the community we are a part of, and the students, faculty, and staff Deacon Dining serves, aiming to provide the next generation with the healthy food they need to thrive.
Looking Ahead: A Year of Purposeful Dining
As Deacon Dining looks forward to 2025, their commitment to sustainable eating and sourcing continues to be a defining aspect of their dining program. By partnering with third-party certified vendors, they can ensure that every meal served is a step toward a healthier planet and a stronger community.
In a world where mindful food choices are becoming more crucial, Deacon Dining is proud to play a role in leading the way to a more sustainable and intentional approach to dining.