Managing Sustainability at Pacific: Bon Appétit
Photo by Mōhai Peloso
Sustainable Efforts Make a Difference
Students who work hard at University of the Pacific will form an appetite. Fortunately, Pacific has several dining options that vary and do not stick to an individual preference. Fortunately, and thanks to the Bon Appétit catering company, Pacific has several dining options that are also sustainable. One that is considered a go-to for many, is The Marketplace and The Lair. They are always busy with students, and the greatest benefit with the staff is how they manage sustainability.
The Marketplace is located downstairs at the Don and Karen DeRosa University Center. Students are able to order from them throughout the day, this includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Even with that, whenever you visit, they will always promote eco-friendly environments through their signs, and Bon Appétit always keeps their food local. According to their Resident District Manager, Sia Mohsenzadegan, ninety percent of their produce is local. This means that canned foods are the only items they get from the grocery store.
The university gets its own food from the school’s garden, the Ted and Chris Robb Community Garden. For years, Ted and Chris Robb have done an immaculate job providing fresh produce. It is located by the Communication/Psychology building on the south side of Pacific. To give your appreciation for what this garden gives, please give the plotted land a visit. There are signs around campus that will lead students there. Excess food is always donated to Bon Appétit, and the seafood served is certified to be sustainable.
Bon Appétit has worked to reduce compostable waste. The first method Bon Appétit uses is having different trash bins for landfill and compost. The second method of reducing compostable waste is the Tiger to Go program. The program sells students plastic take-out boxes that they can bring to The Marketplace, and they are reusable. If the student is in need of a replacement they bring the one they currently have and exchange it for a new container. Every time a student uses one of those containers, they are saving money.
It can be a little overwhelming to pick a dining place as a go-to at Pacific. From The Marketplace, to The Lair, the Food Truck, and the River Room, there are a variety of choices. If you set The Marketplace or The Lair as your go-to, it is guaranteed to be one that will manage sustainability. University of the Pacific has made all their best efforts to ensure students have sustainable food and dining at these places.