Sustainable Sourcing Strategy

Deacon Dining is at the forefront of sustainable sourcing within higher education. Recognizing that the way food is produced impacts communities and the environment, and taking charge of the role we play, we aim to purchase ingredients that increase the health and wellbeing of people, animals, soil, and ecosystems during their production. By prioritizing third-party certified products and supporting sustainably operating small-scale farmers, primarily those within a 250 mile radius of campus, we build trust and transparency in the origins of our food, ensuring it is cultivated with care.

Third-Party Sourcing

Deacon Dining is committed to sourcing at least 30% of our products with third-party certifications in alignment with standards set by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking Assessment & Rating System. Third-party certifications are verified claims provided by independent organizations or entities uninvolved in the production of food items. Deacon Dining follows the guidance of AASHE STARS 3.0 on third-party certifications whose standards range from agricultural practices and animal welfare to trade and labor. Accredited food items have lesser negative environmental and human health impacts than non-certified items.

Our Strategy: We focus on buying animal products, such as beef, pork, poultry, and eggs that possess one or more qualifying third-party certifications. For example, we predominantly purchase beef products from Brasstown Beef, all of which are G.A.P. Animal Welfare Certified Step 4, ensuring their cattle are raised in a manner that mimics their natural environment.

Our Most Common Certified Products:

Murray’s Chicken: Certified Humane

Joyce Farm’s Chicken: GAP Step 4

Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative: USDA Organic

Brasstown Beef: GAP Step 4

Joyce Beef: GAP Step 4

Joyce Pork: Animal Welfare Approved

Niman Ranch Pork: Certified Humane

Sixty South Salmon: Aquaculture Stewardship Council

J Caught Scallops: Marine Stewardship Council

Stonyfield Yogurt: USDA Organic

South Mountain Creamery Eggs: Certified Humane

Tractor Beverage: Certified Humane

Carolina Coffee: Fair Trade Certified

*our third-party certified products and partnerships change according to our needs and strategy. For a full list of our current certified products, please reach out to dining@wfu.edu

Promoting Smallholders

Deacon Dining aims to tell the story of every meal we serve. Where our ingredients come from and how they are produced are integral elements to each story. Through working with smallholder farms, we are able to include ingredients sourced just miles away from farmers, which is integral to an equitable food system. We work closely with 4P Foods, a local produce supplier dedicated to creating a regenerative and fair food system. The company connects numerous small, family-owned farms with larger consumers such as universities and corporations. We have entered several commitments with specific farmers to purchase a set amount of their product every single week for a semester. This allows these farmers to have security in their business, knowing 100% of their harvest will be purchased.

Sustainable Sourcing Strategy

We aim to source at least 30% of our food products from third party certified vendors. Learn more about our sourcing standards and community-based partnerships.