Producer Guidelines
Introduction
As part of Emory University’s commitment to sustainability, it has established a goal that 75% of food served on campus be locally or sustainably grown by 2015. The Emory Sustainable Food Committee has clarified purchasing guidelines for local and sustainable definitions and goals. Here is a summary of the desired criteria : Since the supply of local, sustainable and organic foods is currently low, Emory is focusing on the source and farming practices as primary goals at this time. The remaining issues of farm scale and form of ownership will become more important as supply increases in the future.
Production
Emory defines local in two tiers: Georgia and the 8-state region (GA, FL, NC, SC, AL, MS, KY, TN). Emory prefers products grown under sustainable practices but is open to working with local, conventional growers and will look for those who will be transitioning in the future. As the program evolves, producers who have certification in organic, biodynamic, fair trade, labor rights and/or animal welfare will have advantages in becoming key vendors. Food Alliance certification most closely aligns with Emory’s desired criteria. Food Alliance certification requires practices to enhance and protect soil and water quality, reduced pesticide use and toxicity, safe and fair working conditions, humane treatment of animals, no hormone or antibiotic supplements, no GMOs, protected wildlife habitat, and continually improving farm practices. Though not yet readily available in the South and not a requirement at this time, Food Alliance certification will be an attractive, comprehensive certification in the future (www.foodalliance.org).
Purchasing
Food purchasing and sourcing for Emory University is currently handled by the Campus Dining contractor, Sodexo USA Food Service. All food purchases must meet Sodexo’s corporate guidelines. In the early stages of implementing the Sustainable Food Initiative, Sodexo will work with a limited number of approved vendors (for fruits and vegetables, mainly FreshPoint and Destiny Produce). As the program grows, Emory will seek to develop personal relationships with farmers that will provide a market for participating producers. As funding permits, Emory expects to pay a fair market price that reflects the true cost of sustainably produced foods. The following are current and future recommendations for producers as defined by Sodexho and Emory’s Sustainable Food Initiative guidelines:
Current Recommendations:
Provide consistent quality and quantity for specific produce and/or products;
Establish a relationship with FreshPoint, Destiny Produce or any other approved Sodexo vendor.
Establish compliance with approved vendors’ requirements (see below).
Begin process of moving current agricultural practices to more sustainable production methods and systems.
Future Recommendations:
Establish a Grower Group or Grower Cooperative to allow bulk purchasing and price benefits for small farmers. Emory’s Sustainable Food Initiative hopes to support the growth of such groups and coops to provide long-term direct markets and economies of scale for small family farms in the South.
Work with Emory Dining to become an independent approved vendor.
Distribution
Destiny Organics and FreshPoint handle almost all produce deliveries for Emory Dining, and these two entities maintain direct contacts with producers, including quantity and price.
Destiny Organics : Destiny is Georgia’s primary organic produce distributor, and up to this point, has required organic certification from growers in order to distribute for them. Exceptions are now being made for customers like Emory who want regional produce and produce with particular certifications. Destiny requires no special packaging or minimum quantities and will send its trucks to growers to pick up less than pallet quantities.
FreshPoint: FreshPoint (a subsidiary of Sysco, Inc.) establishes order sizes and drop points on an individual basis. FreshPoint requires farmers or co-ops to have a Hold Harmless Agreement, a signed Warranty of Product form (as a safe production guarantee), and a Certificate of Insurance. Insurance must include: 1) general liability limits of $1M per occurrence; $2M in aggregate for products-completed operations; 3) the certificate holder should be listed as follows: Sysco Corporation, its subsidiaries, Affiliates and Divisions; and 4) Sysco must be named as additional insured entity.
Cooperative or Grower Group: Cooperatives or grower groups formed by a collection of smaller producers will allow for efficiency, consistency, and profit in working directly with Emory. Proper liability insurance and health and safety requirements can be obtained for the group. Sodexo currently requires HACCP certification, $5M in liability insurance, and specific modes of delivery.Contacts and Resources
For questions concerning participation in the Emory Sustainable Food Initiative, contact Julie Shaffer, 404-727-6734, julie.shaffer@emory.edu
Emory’s Sustainability Initiative and Buying Guidelines: www.emory.edu/sustainability
To learn more about sustainable and organic growing methods contact: Georgia Organics, Inc.
P.O. Box 8924, Atlanta, GA 31106, Phone: 678.702.0400, www.georgiaorganics.org
Sodexo Supplier Code of Conduct:
Sodexo does business with suppliers, vendors, contractors, and partners that conduct business utilizing sounds and responsible ethical, social and environmental pratices.
CHILD LABOR
Suppliers are prohibited from using workers under the legal age of employment in any country or local jurisdiction where the Supplier performs work for Sodexo. If the minimum age of employment is not defined, the minimum age of employment shall be 15 years of age. In cases where minors are authorized to work, we expect our Suppliers to observe all legal re quirements, particularly those pertaining to hours of work, wages, minimum education and working conditions.
FORCED LABOR
Sodexo shall not tolerate the use of indentured, slave, bonded or other forced involuntary labor by its Suppliers.WAGES AND BENEFITS
Suppliers shall not pay less than the minimum wage in accordance with local laws or the prevailing market, whichever is higher.WORKING HOURS
Suppliers shall maintain reasonable employee work hours in compliance with local standards and applicable national laws of the countries and regions in which the Supplier does business. Sodexo requires Suppliers to comply with the statutory requirements for working hours for employees. Sodexo will not use Suppliers that, on a regularly scheduled basis, require employees to work in excess of the statutory requirements, unless those employees are properly compensated as required by applicable law.HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES
Suppliers must share Sodexo's commitment to providing a safe and healthy workplace and to treating employees fairly and in compliance with local laws. Health, safety and other workplace standards must meet all local laws and safety regulations. Worker housing, where provided, must meet the same standards for health and safety as those that apply in the workplace.FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION
Employees of Suppliers shall be free to join organizations of their own choice. Suppliers shall respect and recognize the right of employees to join and organize associations of their own choosing, and to bargain collectively. Employees shall not be subject to intimidation or harassment in the exercise of their right to join or to refrain from joining any organization.NON-DISCRIMINATION
Sodexo believes that all terms of employment should be based solely on an individual's ability to do the job. Sodexo requires its Suppliers to uphold a commitment to basic principles of human rights. This means that Suppliers should not discriminate against employees in hiring, promotion, salary, performance evaluation or any other term or condition of work, on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law in the applicable jurisdiction.DISCIPLINARY PRACTICES/COERCION
Sodexo firmly believes that everyone should be treated with dignity. Suppliers shall not inflict or threaten to inflict corporal punishment or any other forms of physical, sexual, psychological or verbal abuse or harassment on any employees.ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES
Sodexo will actively seek Suppliers that share our commitment to protecting the environment. Suppliers shall abide by all federal, state and local environmental laws. Sodexo shall favor Suppliers that work to sustain, protect and restore the environment, by such means as energy conservation, recycling and proper disposal of waste, as well as by environmental restoration.COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Sodexo seeks to work with Suppliers that partner with local governments and communities to improve the educational, cultural, economic and social well-being of the communities in which they live and serve.ETHICAL STANDARDS
Sodexo seeks to identify and partner with Suppliers that aspire to conduct of all their business following a set of ethical standards not incompatible with our own. Sodexo's ethical standards are embodied in the company's Ethical Conduct Policy.CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Suppliers may not give Sodexo employees a gift of value in excess of US$100 and may not bribe foreign officials or any other parties to benefit the Company, its employees or its business.COMMUNICATION
Suppliers are encouraged to take appropriate steps to ensure that provisions of this Code are communicated to their employees and throughout their own supply chain. Suppliers are also encouraged to ensure that the principles referred to above are adopted and applied by their employees, suppliers, agents and contractors as far as reasonably possible.