As a leading provider of campus dining services, serving more than 275 colleges and universities, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality is a committed partner who champions sustainability initiatives on the campuses it serves. The company’s actions demonstrate that sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a core value driving positive change on campuses nationwide.
“Aramark is intentionally interwoven into each school’s programming and understands the vision and hurdles that matter most, including supporting a sustainable campus where students can thrive,” said Alan Horowitz, Vice President for Sustainability at Aramark. “Our corporate environmental, social, governance platform, Be Well. Do Well., drives us, and directly connects to our mission: Because we’re rooted in service, we do great things for our people, our partners, our communities, and our planet.”
This unwavering commitment to sustainability has led Aramark to be recognized by numerous industry associations and groups this year. Let’s dive into the awards that highlight their remarkable efforts.
National Association of College & University Food Services Awards
The National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS) recently announced its Sustainability Awards that recognize leadership in the promotion and implementation of environmental sustainability, as it relates to campus dining operations.
Sustainability Awards
- University of Mississippi: Carbon neutrality (Gold)
- University of North Carolina Chapel Hill:
- Waste Reduction (Silver)
- Sustainable Procurement (Silver)
Nutrition Awards
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill:
- Wellness and Nutrition Program of the Year (Honorable Mention)
- Special Diet Program of the Year (Silver)
2024 Virginia Green Travel Leader Award
Aramark Collegiate Hospitality at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, was among nine tourism businesses to receive the prestigious 2024 Virginia Green Travel Leader Award from the Virginia Green Travel Alliance. The program celebrates tourism operators and partners committed to environmental stewardship in Virginia.
Aramark’s dedication to sustainability on campus includes serving Coolfood, healthy and climate-friendly dishes with a lower carbon footprint, and signing the Cool Food Pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030.
2024 Green Restaurant Award
Chauncey’s Choice, a 4-star Certified Green Restaurant® managed by Aramark at Coastal Carolina University, earned the 2024 Green Restaurant Award for Reusables and Green Disposables from the Green Restaurant Association (GRA). The restaurant serves all to-go orders in reusables, uses 100% reusables for staff meals, and only offers students reusable plates, cutlery, glasses, bowls, and more with no disposable options available.
Coastal Carolina University was also the first in South Carolina to have multiple restaurants achieve Green Restaurant Certification, and Chauncey’s Choice was the first collegiate restaurant in South Carolina to become a four-star certified green restaurant by the GRA.
Arizona State University was recognized as a 3 Star Certified Green Caterer®, meeting the Green Restaurant Association’s certification requirements in May.
Campus Race to Zero Waste 2024
More than 150 campuses participated in the 2024 Campus Race to Zero Waste program, and Aramark Collegiate Hospitality was proud to have multiple schools awarded for their efforts.
Diversion Category
- University of Louisville: Large Campus (first place)
Green Events Category
- Agnes Scott College (under 50 attendees)
- Coastal Carolina University (more than 1000 attendees)
- University of California, Irvine (more than 1000 attendees)
