Social Responsibility

The College of St. Scholastica Food Service is committed to being socially responsible.  We currently support the following Green initiatives.

The Benedictine value of Stewardship is prevelant in the food service department.

• Both The Greenview and Storm's Den promote reducing your carbon footprint by opting not to use a tray. 
• Compostable paper products are used in both food service locations as well as in catering services.
• Cans, plastic, glass and cardboard are recycled in all food service locations.
• Food waste is recycled in partnership with the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) using their food waste recycling program.
• Another partner is Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank.  The leftover food from The Greenview and college catering events is picked up by Second Harvest and used at one of their sites to feed the Northland's hungry.
• The CSS Food Service has partnered with Ecolab and uses their Apex sustainable warewashing products for our dishmachine and pot & pan washing. These products help reduce water consumption by washing more dishes with less product.  They protect our waterways by minimizing the impact on our environment as they are 99.7% phosphate and phosphorus free.  They also reduce waste as their packaging is 97% less plastic than the average 5 lb. pail.  These chemicals protect human health and safety as they are not formulated with known carcinogens, mutagens or reproductive toxins, or with persistent bioaccumulative and highly toxic substances (PBTs) as defined by the EPA.

The Food Service Department uses local vendors when possible. 

• We proudly serve Cage-Free Eggs from a Minnesota Farm.  For more information, click on this link.
• Most of our dairy products are purchased from Franklin Foods/Kemps which is located in Duluth. Our milk is hormone free.
• We often serve local fish entrees (walleye, whitefish) in The Greenview.
• Beakers Coffee Bar, located in the Science building and Storm's Den, located adjacent to the Tower Student Union serve Organic, Fair Trade Peace Coffee.  This coffee company is located in the Twin Cities.
• At the Twin Ports Thanksgiving Buffet sponsored by the College and served at the DECC on Thanksgiving Day each year, we use produce from local farmers, including root vegetables, apples for apple cider.
• Our main food distributor is US Food Service, located in Plymouth, MN.  This company is committed to providing sustainable food supplies, reducing emissions and fighting hunger through it's Corporate Citizenship programs.

Community is another important Benedictine value that the Food Service Department supports in numerous ways.

• We mentor students in the Duluth Public Schools Bridge Program in The Greenview.  This transition program is designed for students ages 18 - 21, who have special education needs.  The program mission is to empower students requiring support to increase independence in their adult lives.
• Storm's Den food service employs staff from UDAC. 
• Not only does the Food Service department participate in the Twin Ports Thanksgiving Buffet, they also sponsor along with the freshmen Dignitas classes a "Thanksgiving in the Spring" Dinner for those in need.
• Staff participate in the annual United Way Chili Cook-Off each fall.
• We also participate in the annual Second Harvest Empty Bowl fundraiser each spring.