Sodexo, a global food services and facilities management leader, was the primary institutional partner on three 2022 New England Food Vision Prizes for its innovative partnership programs that champion and enhance the farm-to-institution food supply chain. The prizes will help support increasing the purchase of two Vermont-made products at Vermont campuses and help expand access to Maine grown broccoli to educational institutions throughout New England.
Sodexo, the University of Vermont, Vital Communities and the Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success was award $199,929 to develop a regional farm ingredient sourcing supply channel to produce allergy-friendly, ready-to-eat meals for institutional food service providers.
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, Vermont Bean Crafters, the University of Vermont, and Sodexo, was awarded $168,034 to increase institutional purchasing of Vermont-grown, pre-cooked, frozen, organic beans.
The Good Shepherd Food Bank (ME), Sodexo, Native Maine, WR Allen, and Jasper Wyman & Son, was awarded $200,000 to support the marketing of frozen locally grown broccoli florets and expands the food processing infrastructure in the Northeast. The program also supports food insecurity.
The funding from the New England Food Prizes helps strengthen one of Sodexo’s core values of making an impact at the local level. Sodexo takes pride in sourcing food locally and supports several thousand farmers and farmer co-ops by contracting with dozens of regional distributors throughout the United States. In New England, its Vermont First, Maine Course, and Mass Impact programs embed local sourcing into their purchasing practices, which supports the communities where their teams and partners live and work.
“We are honored our project received this prize with our partner at Harvesting Good leading our path forward. This program will help to bring Maine-grown broccoli to the New England market,” says Maeve McInnis, the Maine Course director. “Sodexo and the Maine Course take pride in supporting our regional economy and supporting a project that seeks to combat food insecurity in Maine.”
“With 100% of our profits benefiting food banks in the Northeast, the 2022 New England Food Vision Prize will have an incredible impact on Harvesting Good’s success. Our nourishing broccoli is a food that feeds more, and partnerships including our relationship with Sodexo, are the key to our impending success,” adds Matt Chin, president of Harvesting Good. “With one bag of frozen broccoli, you’ll help fight hunger, support family farms, and strengthen communities.”
The New England Food Vision Prize began in 2018 by the Henry P. Kendall Foundation – aligning with a regional goal of producing 50% of New England’s food within the region by 2060.
“The H. P. Kendall Foundation has partnered with Sodexo in New England over the past decade, both in higher education and K-12 food service programs,” says Andy Kendall, executive director The H. P. Kendall Foundation. “We applaud Sodexo’s commitment to stronger, sustainable, regional supply relationships.”
