PHILADELPHIA, PA – April 17, 2008 -- ARAMARK, a world leader in
professional services, has made a commitment to help preserve the
world’s oceans and fisheries through a new partnership with Monterey
Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program.
The Aquarium will help
ARAMARK develop practices to guide the supply, purchase and consumption
of sustainable seafood for as many as 180,000 ARAMARK employees in the
U.S. and potentially tens of millions of consumers in businesses,
universities, schools, sports and entertainment facilities, parks and
other locations ARAMARK operates.
Sustainable seafood comes from
sources, either fished or farmed, that can exist over the long term
without compromising species’ survival or the surrounding ecosystem.
“We’re
delighted to partner with ARAMARK and help the company fulfill its
commitment to serving seafood that comes from sustainable wild and
farmed sources,” said Michael Sutton, Director of the Monterey Bay
Aquarium’s Center for the Future of the Oceans, which incorporates the
Sustainable Seafood Initiative and Seafood Watch program, www.seafoodwatch.org .
“This decision by ARAMARK, and similar commitments by other business
leaders, will have a real impact in the marketplace. By creating more
demand for seafood from sources that protect the health of ocean
ecosystems, we’re on a path toward improving fishing practices around
the world.”
Through its Seafood Watch guidelines, the Monterey Bay
Aquarium recommends which seafood to buy and which to avoid, helping
consumers become stronger advocates for an environmentally friendly
seafood supply.
“Being good environmental stewards is important
to our employees, our customers and the communities in which we live
and work,” said Robert Dennill, Associate Vice President, Corporate
Social Responsibility, ARAMARK. “The expertise and knowledge we are
able to gain from the Monterey Bay Aquarium will guide business
practices and influence consumer behaviors, helping strengthen our
commitment to the environment.”
ARAMARK implements sustainable
business practices that positively contribute to the environments in
which the company operates. As part of the new partnership with the
Aquarium, ARAMARK has made a commitment to shift its seafood purchases
in the U.S. toward sustainable sources over the next 10 years.
ARAMARK has begun working with suppliers, chefs and managers to:
- Identify
and encourage the purchase of seafood species listed on the Aquarium’s
Seafood Watch “Best Choices” and “Good Alternatives” lists, and
discourage purchase of species on the “Avoid” list;
- Regularly seek operator feedback and Aquarium research to ensure that seafood recommendations are progressive yet achievable;
- Develop
marketing and training materials that clearly convey to field
management and front line employees the importance of the issue and the
company’s position on sustainable seafood choices;
- Distribute as appropriate the Aquarium’s consumer pocket guides to customers; and
- Raise public awareness about the partnership and the issue through a variety of communications efforts.
About ARAMARK
ARAMARK is a leader in professional services, providing award-winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the world. In FORTUNE magazine's 2009 list of "World's Most Admired Companies," ARAMARK was ranked number one in its industry, consistently ranking since 1998 as one of the top three most admired companies in its industry as evaluated by peers and analysts. ARAMARK seeks to responsibly address issues that matter to its clients, customers, employees and communities by focusing on employee advocacy, environmental stewardship, health and wellness, and community involvement. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 260,000 employees serving clients in 22 countries. Learn more at the company's Web site, www.aramark.com.
About About MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM
The
mission of the nonprofit Monterey Bay Aquarium is to inspire
conservation of the oceans. The Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program
empowers seafood consumers and businesses to make choices for healthy
oceans. In doing so, the program works to transform seafood markets in
ways that create incentives for sustainable fishing and aquaculture
practices. www.seafoodwatch.org
Contacts:
Doug Warner, ARAMARK
215-238-3316
warner-doug@aramark.com