We recognize and understand the role that we play as a service provider, employer, and corporate citizen and the impact we can make on individuals, our communities, and the environment. Your Merrimack Dining Team is committed to providing a sustainable and environmentally conscious dining program. Rose Forrest, Area Sustainability Coordinator, leads the charge and helps guide our team to make conscious and sustainable decisions.
Our Definition of Local
Agricultural products are local if it is:
Processed foods are local if:
Unique food products are local if two or more of the following are true:
Our Definition of Regional
Food grown, raised, or harvested within the six New England states (+50 mile radius)
Agricultural products are regional if:
Processed and Unique foods are regional if:
Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership
Sodexo is proud to sign on as a Northeast Organic Family Farm partner to support organic dairy farms in the Northeast and to help secure the future of organic dairy. We’re committed to purchasing organic dairy products from brands that source their milk from our region. To learn about our commitment and the partnership, please visit https://www.saveorganicfamilyfarms.org
Reusable container programs on campuses
Choose to Reuse is a reusable to-go container program. This innovative reusable container program is designed to reduce packaging waste. By participating in the Choose to Reuse program, you can dine at your convenience while also taking steps to protect the environment.
Composting on campuses
Food waste in landfills creates methane, a greenhouse gas which is 21x more potent than CO2. (www.epa.gov) Our first priority is to reduce food waste. We compost food waste that is unavoidable which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and can also be used to amend soil thereby increasing drought tolerance, improving soil structure and health and reducing need for water and fertilizers.
Recycling on campuses
Our kitchens use Waste Watch powered by Leanpath systems
This allows our culinary teams to monitor and track our food waste while we prepare your meals. By using Leanpath, we are able to easily identify causes of food waste in real-time and make necessary adjustments to our procedures to help combat food waste.
Responsible Sourcing
Additional Campus Initiatives
Better Tomorrow 2025
Our Better Tomorrow 2025 commitments help us to continue our journey to make life better for individuals, communities and the environment. We have three different but connected roles in the world: we are an employer, a service provider and a corporate citizen. To learn more please visit here.
Choose to Reuse
Want to enjoy a meal from Sparky's without having to dine in? We have a sustainable option. Purchase our Green-to-Go container at Sparky's check in and enjoy for the whole year. Eat. Wash. Repeat. Be part of Merrimack College's sustainability efforts and reduce waste by using your reusable container today!
Compostable Paper Goods
When you dine in our retail locations you can rest easy that you are also helping the environment. Our paper products are 100% compostable.