Aramark to Increase Plant-based Menu Offerings on College Campuses

Aramark, the largest U.S.-based foodservice provider, announced today that by 2025, 44% of its residential dining menu offerings at more than 250 colleges and universities will be plant-based.

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Aramark announced today that by 2025, 44% of its residential dining menu offerings at more than 250 colleges and universities will be plant-based. (Photo: Business Wire)

Aramark and the Humane Society of the United States have collaborated on plant-based initiatives for almost fifteen years, working together to benefit animals, people and the planet. This new announcement marks a milestone in their longstanding partnership.

This effort is an example of Aramark’s progress on its climate change commitments, including its announcement that it would drastically reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the food it serves in the U.S. by 25% by 2030.

“Aligned with our existing responsible sourcing commitments, this new target represents another step on our journey toward net zero emissions,” says Alan Horowitz, VP of Sustainability at Aramark. “Increasing plant-based proteins, while decreasing animal proteins, is a major factor in helping us reduce food-related emissions and is responsive to changing consumer dietary preferences.”

As noted in the Humane Society of the United States’ Protein Sustainability Scorecard Report, 26-30% of Aramark’s current menu offerings on college campuses are plant-based. In addition to culinary trainings for team members, on-demand culinary training videos developed by the HSUS will support schools in reaching, or even exceeding, these goals.

“Aramark has made great strides in its commitment to tackle climate change. By setting tangible goals to introduce more plant-based foods, the company has shown a level of action and transparency that should please both consumers and client institutions,” says Karla Dumas, registered dietitian and senior director of food service innovation at the HSUS. “We value our collaboration and are excited to work with Aramark on shifting towards menus that are not only delicious, but are good for us, the planet, and animals.”

The HSUS food service innovation team collaborates with food service operations to increase the number of plant-based offerings at their dining facilities by developing culinary support services through recipes, menu concepts, culinary training, and marketing support.

As part of its commitment, Aramark will expand training for culinary staff, broaden marketing efforts, provide annual reports on its progress toward the 44% target, and work with the HSUS on developing and integrating more plant-based entrées on menus.

About Aramark

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves the world’s leading educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around the world with food, facilities, and uniform services. Because our culture is rooted in service, our employees strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. Aramark ranked No. 1 In the Diversified Outsourcing Services Category on FORTUNE’s 2022 List of ‘World’s Most Admired Companies’ and has been named to DiversityInc’s “Top 50 Companies for Diversity” list, the Forbes list of “America’s Best Employers for Diversity,” the HRC’s “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality” and scored 100% on the Disability Equality Index. Learn more at www.aramark.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About the Humane Society of the United States

We fight the big fights to end suffering for all animals. Together with millions of supporters, the Humane Society of the United States takes on puppy mills, factory farms, the fur trade, trophy hunting, animal cosmetics testing and other cruel industries. Through our rescue, response and sanctuary work, as well as other direct services, we help thousands of animals in need every year. We fight all forms of animal cruelty to achieve the vision behind our name: a humane society.

Learn more about our work at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to Kitty Block’s blog, A Humane World. Follow the HSUS Media Relations department on Twitter. Read the award-winning All Animals magazine. Listen to the Humane Voices Podcast.

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