Sodexo Presents The Maine Broccoli Takeover
Sodexo Hosts a Broccoli Takeover at its College and University Partners’ Dining Commons to Raise Awareness About Locally Sourced Food
GAITHERSBURG, Md. - Sodexo, a global food services and facilities management leader, hosted a broccoli takeover at eleven colleges and universities throughout Maine to highlight the importance of locally sourced and processed produce. The event showcases the ability to access Maine grown broccoli even during the winter months through the development of vegetable freezing thanks to partnerships with Good Shepherd Food Bank and Maine-based food producer Wyman’s.
Each campus dining common featured special lunch menus with broccoli being the big star! Students, staff and people enjoyed the creations and also learned more about where the broccoli is grown, the freezing process and why this initiative is important for the local economy and farmers. Campuses that took part in the broccoli takeover include:
- University of Maine Orono
- University of Maine at Augusta
- University of Maine at Farmington
- University of Maine at Fort Kent
- University of Maine at Machias
- University of Maine at Presque Isle
- University of Southern Maine – Gorham
- Southern Maine Community College
- Maine Maritime Academy
- Maine College of Art
- Thomas College
"We knew having access to a frozen, Maine grown produce would allow us to offer a local vegetable during the winter months when fresh, local ingredients from Maine are dwindling. Broccoli is the number one vegetable that students eat on our campuses here in Maine, so this partnership with Good Shepard Food Bank is a natural fit and we’re confident it will be a success for years to come," said Maeve McInnis, the Maine Course director.
Sodexo’s Maine Course program incorporates local sourcing into its purchasing practices, which helps the communities where their teams and partners live and work. Since its inception in 2015, it has spent $7.1 million on Maine food. Last year, the Maine Course spent 18% on locally sourced food alone. In November of 2022 Sodexo, Good Shepherd Food Bank (ME), Native Maine, WR Allen, and Jasper Wyman & Son, were awarded $200,000 by The Kendall Foundation -- to support this project and the expansion of frozen food processing in the Northeast. A portion is also aimed at ending local food insecurity. In 2019, a Kendall Foundation award helped Sodexo and its partners kick off this project.
"The mission of Harvesting Good directly aligns with Good Shepherd Food Bank’s goals of ensuring all Mainers facing hunger have access to enough healthy, nourishing food and reducing food security at its root cause," stated Harvesting Good’s President Matt Chin. "Harvesting Good is creating a new source of healthy food while investing in the agricultural economy to support local businesses and create jobs that reduce food insecurity at its root cause. We are excited to start getting Harvesting Good’s Maine-grown broccoli to Maine’s students."
About Sodexo North America
Sodexo North America is part of a global, Fortune 500 company with a presence in 55 countries. Sodexo provides quality, multichannel and flexible food experiences, but also designs attractive and inclusive workplaces and shared spaces, manages and maintains infrastructure in a safe and environmentally friendly way, offers personalized support for patients or students and even creates programs fostering employee engagement. The company employs 90,066 people at thousands of sites in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Puerto Rico and Guam, and indirectly supports tens of thousands of additional jobs through its annual purchases of $20B in goods and services from small to large businesses. Sodexo North America is committed to focusing on tangible everyday gestures and actions through its integrated services to create a better every day for everyone and build a better life for all.
Contact Sodexo North America
Mike Moses
Sodexo
617-775-9150
About Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine
As the largest hunger-relief organization in Maine, Good Shepherd Food Bank supports Mainers facing hunger by sourcing nutritious food and distributing it to nearly 600 partner organizations across the state, including food pantries, meal sites, schools, health care centers, and senior programs. The Food Bank also supports the network of partners with capacity-building and innovation grants that improve and promote equitable and dignified access to nutritious food across the state. Last year, the Food Bank distributed more than 29 million meals through its network of partners, and strategically invested $4.2 million in grants to the network of partners. The Food Bank leads a statewide effort to combat the root causes of hunger by engaging in advocacy, nutrition education, and strategic partnerships and is currently leading a $250 million Campaign to End Hunger in Maine.
Contact Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine
Jessica Donahue
Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine
207-782-3554