Minimizing the impact to people, animals and the environment.

Purchasing Powers the Planet

Aramark’s purchasing decisions make a considerable impact on people, animals, and the environment. That is why it is so important to us, our clients, and consumers that we consider environmental and social impacts through our focus on sustainable sourcing. Our long-standing commitment is demonstrated through our priorities and the progress we've made over the years.

Sustainable Seafood

Of the world’s fisheries, 90% are threatened by practices that stress the environment and marine life. Guided by our Sustainable Seafood Policy, we strive to buy seafood from sources, whether fished or farmed, that maintain healthy marine life and ecosystems, and respect seafood workers and communities throughout the supply chain. 

• 98% of our contracted frozen finfish purchases in the U.S. meet Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch recommendations.
• Since 2016, all contracted canned skipjack and albacore tuna in the U.S. is sustainably sourced from Marine Stewardship Council-certified fisheries.
• We committed to prioritize New England seafood purchases of whitefish species that are local Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) Responsible Harvest-designated species across our Higher Education, Healthcare, and Business Dining businesses.
• We have stated our opposition to genetically engineered (GE) salmon. Should this product come to market, we will not purchase it.
• Sustainable seafood programs are also underway in Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Humanely Raised Products

• Our Animal Welfare Policy addresses the treatment of animals for egg, meat and dairy products. With guidance from leading animal welfare organizations, we are acting on commitments to purchase group-housed pork by 2022.
• We completed the transition to 100% cage-free liquid and processed eggs by the end of 2020 in the U.S. and we are working toward cage-free eggs globally by the end of 2025.
• 54% of pork purchased by Aramark is group-housed. We expect to transition 100% of our contracted pork to group-housed by the end of 2022.
• We are partnering with our suppliers and NGOs to ensure our transition to humanely raised broiler chickens in the U.S. by the end of 2024.
• We’ve eliminated foie gras purchasing since 2011.

Learn more about our priorities and progress.

No Deforestation

We’ve also made a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by implementing a No-Deforestation Policy by 2025. The conversion of forests for agricultural products such as palm oil, soy, beef and paper (timber) is a leading cause of deforestation, which is a significant contributor to climate change.

• We ensured that the soy used in all our contracted soy oils, as well as soy used in our contracted margarines and shortenings, is sourced from regions with no deforestation risk.
• We completed our transition to responsibly sourced palm oil in all our contracted margarines and shortenings.
• By engaging with our suppliers, as of September 2020 we have determined that at least 80% of our contracted beef is sourced from areas with no deforestation risk.

Climate Healthy Menus

Our innovative move to more plant-forward menus is better for people’s health—and it is also good for the planet. Our plant-forward menu options meet consumer tastes and also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, minimize demand for water and land resources and preserve natural habitats. As part of our efforts to create climate-healthy menus, 34% of our main dishes are now vegan or vegetarian. We’ve also created over 300 new plant-based recipes, and reduced red meat in our recipes by 12% on average. Check out our Healthy for Life® Impact Report

These efforts build on a long-standing commitment to advancing sustainable sourcing practices and we are proud of the industry-leading work that has been completed, in the ongoing work underway, and the opportunities ahead.