sustainability initiatives
contributing to a responsible food system
Our dining team strives every day to create a responsible dining program. From working to minimize waste, support local partners with responsible sourcing, and creating green dining facilities, we are always looking for new ways to care for our world through a sustainable food system.
responsible sourcing
Our chefs work closely with local food systems to source our food responsibly. By sourcing seasonal ingredients and products produced with integrity, we can sustain responsible partners. To us, sustainable food means ingredients that are plant-based, 3rd party certified as sustainably produced and ingredients that are sourced from local and community based vendors.
Our team is passionate about incorporating local, seasonal ingredients into menus as much as possible. Redlands Dining has implemented a preferential purchasing system that identifies food grown or produced within 150 miles, and its sustainable attributes. Local produce is harvested closest to its peak for a fresher, more flavorful nutrient-filled result. Not only do local foods tend to be fresher, local purchasing reduces transportation carbon emissions and invests money into community based operations. Look for locally grown signage to taste the best flavors our area has to offer, celebrate the season selections, and support the local efforts of our community!
Plant based foods (vegetables, whole grains, beans, etc) are proven to have a lower environmental impact than resource intensive animal products. With continuous recipe development for vibrant and unique plant based options, Redlands Dining provides diverse, complete-protein vegan dining options at our Plant Power Station in The Table at the Irvine Commons and menu options dedicated to plant based in our retail locations.
Our livestock farmers and ranchers share our high standards for humane animal treatment and environmental sustainability. We source beef, pork, chicken, milk, eggs, and turkey from farms using regenerative agriculture principles, and certified animal welfare practices.
We serve milk from Hollandia Dairy. When it comes to dairy, Hollandia believes some things can never change or be compromised. The natural way to keep their cows happy and healthy. Environmental Stewardship, water and energy conservation. They grow and recycle their own forage to control the quality of their feed. They are a Certified Humane® dairy with unquestionable, passionate and ethical treatment of our cows
We serve beef certified as Global Animal Partnership Step 4, meaning cattle are on open pasture at all times. This allows natural grazing, enrichment, and eliminates pollution caused by cattle feedlots. By breeding for growth efficient genetics, cattle require less feed, resulting in a smaller greenhouse gas footprint.
We serve pork certified as Global Animal Partnership Step 1, meaning pigs are free to roam and interact with each other, and free of gestation crates.
We serve chicken and turkey that are Certified Humane, which ensures poultry are hatched, raised, transported, and processed following animal welfare standards. Our chicken and turkey are raised naturally with access to enriched, uncrowded indoor/outdoor nesting, and self-regulated eating and drinking schedules.
We serve cage free eggs from hens in enriched colony housing, which allows natural behaviors like nesting, perching, scratching, and socializing.
Redlands Dining uses Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch recommendations to source seafood that is wild caught or farmed using responsible methods. Using continuously updated standards specific to California, we source only Best Choice or Good Alternative seafood.
Redlands Dining recognizes the need for social and environmental responsibility towards farm workers, our customers, and our communities. Benefits of these programs for farmers mean community development, health, education, and environmental stewardship.
waste minimization
Through reusables, compostables, and recyclable materials, our teams strive to reduce waste in all forms.
Redlands Dining Services composts pre and post-consumer food waste. By diverting our food waste to compost, we decrease our landfill footprint and contribute to nutrient rich soil. We work closely with SURF & Garden here on campus who uses this food waste for their own composting as well as the coffee grounds we use in The Den.
Changing the world from disposable to reusable one meal at a time with OZZI to-go containers.
The OZZI Solution is a closed-loop system that starts with a one-time purchase at The table at the Irvine commons. Then they can fill their container with food and eat in or take their meal to go.
Once they are done with the meal, the used O2GO container is returned to an OZZI machine located in the front entry way of The Table. Then a token is issued that can be used later to receive a new container.
For times when reusables aren’t available, Redlands Dining provides 100% compostable silverware, cups, lids, and napkins. You can help reduce our landfill waste stream by sorting compostables into the right bins – look for the recycling symbol!
Redlands Dining recycles pre-consumer plastic, paper, cardboard, and aluminum, and partners with the University of Redlands to provide post-consumer recyclable options when compostable isn’t available.