Sourcing Responsibly
Carolina Food Co. has taken important steps to advance our sourcing practices in a responsible and ethical way. To drive measureable change, we focus on the following areas:
Local food isn’t just better on your plate, it’s better for the community. Buying local food supports South Carolina farmers and keeps our businesses thriving. We’ve partnered with Senn Bros. Produce, Freshpoint and Brasstown Beef to provide us with the freshest local fruits, vegetables and burgers. We strive to purchase products from local, independently-owned, minority-owned or women-owned businesses whenever possible.
In accordance with our high standards for food purchasing, we have partnered with The Common Market to buy food from farms that meet the third-party certified standards falling under four value categories: local and community, environmental sustainability, nutritious and clean label and animal welfare. Through our partnership with The Common Market Southeast, we purchase foods from regenerative, BIPOC-led, women-led and USDA certified organic farms. By purchasing from such farms, we support the local community while protecting soil health, biodiversity and water and energy conservation. Learn more about The Common Market here.
We have high standards for the food we serve. That’s why we have high standards for the ingredients we buy. We purchase cage-free eggs, humanely-raised chicken and beef as well as seafood approved by the Monterrey Bay Seafood Watch.
Our Babylon hydroponic farms are our indoor micro farms located on the second floor of Russell House in our residential dining halls, Fresh Greenes and Gamecock Park. We can grow 40+ different varieties of lettuces, herbs, and edible flowers to be served in our dining halls.
Certified climate-friendly by the World Resources Institute, Cool Foods are incorporated in all dining hall menus. These recipes have a low impact on the climate, making them a delicious way to help the planet.
Minimizing Waste
Carolina Food Co. models its waste reduction strategy after The Food Recovery Hierarchy developed by the EPA, reducing food waste at the source and avoiding the landfill, using it only as a final option. Following this hierarchy structure helps us to practice circularity and maintain a sustainable food system.
Recycling is a high priority for Gamecocks. We do our part by recycling cardboard, paper and plastic in our locations
Carolina Food Co. offers reusable to-go containers in all-you-care-to-eat dining halls. To check out a reusable container, you’ll need to show your personal QR code to the cashier and scan it. Then you’re all set! Bring back your reusable container to a designated return location, and it will be checked back in.
Visit app.reusepass.com to activate your account.
Our team measures and records food waste through Enable+ tablets that analyze the data and help our chefs to predict trends of food waste. This helps our chefs to plan for a specific number of guests and prepare the right amount of food.
When excess food is prepared, we work with the student-run Food Recovery Network to safely donate food. We focus on donating back to the campus community first by donating to the on-campus food pantry, the Community Shop, and when there is extra, we donate to local hunger relief agencies like Oliver Gospel Mission and Transitions Shelter.
Since the inception of our composting program in 2017, we diverted close to 750 tons of food waste from the landfill with the help of our composting partners SMART Recycling and ReSoil Compost! The compost enriches the land for gardens and farms throughout the Southeast.
Oil waste from our kitchens is converted into biodiesel with the help of Restaurant Technologies, Inc.
Food Purchasing Assistance
Carolina Food Co. has taken important steps to accept SNAP Benefits in convenience locations on campus starting in Fall 2024.
In the United States, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is a federal government program that provides food-purchasing assistance for low—and no-income people to help them maintain adequate nutrition and health. Coming in Fall 2024, our Gamecock General stores will accept SNAP benefits. To learn more about how to apply, visit the USDA Food and Nutrition Service site.