What is a “sustainable” food system?

A sustainable food system promotes the healthy use and preservation of the land and sea with practices that guarantee the same for future generations.

What are examples of “sustainable” practices?

Sustainable practices minimize or eliminate the use of chemical inputs and promote healthier environmental conditions for the planet and people.

Are the words sustainable and organic synonymous?

“Sustainable” and “Organic” are not the same. Organic is only one element on the spectrum of a sustainable food system. There are a variety of important socio-economic and ethical issues that are not addressed by the USDA Organic Certified criteria.

What socio-economic and ethical issues extend beyond “Organic”?

Some of the socio-economic and ethical issues that extend beyond “Organic” are: Protection of biodiversity Security of local food sheds Support of fair working conditions Humane treatment of animals Preservation of local and regional flavors Economic viability of communities

What is our commitment to “local” purchasing?

We actively seek local growers and encourage our units to support them whenever possible. Our efforts to “buy local” have strengthened more than 1000 family farm operations across the US. Our Goal is to develop partnerships with 2013 American Family Farms by 2013

1.*Local food just plain tastes better *Courtesy of EatLocalChallenge.com 10 Reasons to Buy Local

2. Better for you Studies show that produce loses nutrients quickly. The more miles from the farm to your table, the lower the nutrient content. 10 Reasons to Buy Local

3. Preserves variety and genetic diversity Local family farms produce unique varieties not found in typical supermarkets. 10 Reasons to Buy Local

4. It’s about the future By supporting local family farmers today, you help ensure that there will be farms in your community tomorrow, and that future generations will have access to nourishing, flavorful, and abundant food. 10 Reasons to Buy Local

5. Environmental protection Local family farmers appreciate and respect the value of fertile soil, clean air and unpolluted water. 10 Reasons to Buy Local

6. Support local farm families ….which means the families can afford to stay on the farm, doing the work they love. 10 Reasons to Buy Local

7. *Buying locally grown food is fodder for a wonderful story Whether it’s the farmer who brings apples to market or the baker who makes bread, knowing part of the story about your food is such a powerful part of enjoying a meal. *Courtesy of EatLocalChallenge.com 10 Reasons to Buy Local

8. *Eating local means more for the local economy According to a New Economics Foundation study, A dollar spent locally generates twice as much income for the local economy. When businesses are not owned locally, money leaves the community at every transaction. *Courtesy of EatLocalChallenge.com 10 Reasons to Buy Local

9. *Locally grown fruits and vegetables have longer to ripen Because the produce will be handled less, locally grown fruit does not have to be “rugged” to stand up to the rigors of shipping. *Courtesy of EatLocalChallenge.com 10 Reasons to Buy Local

10. *Supporting local providers supports responsible land development When you buy local, you give those with local open space-farms and pastures-an economic reason to stay open and undeveloped. *Courtesy of EatLocalChallenge.com 10 Reasons to Buy Local

Do sustainability concerns only apply to the land?

Rivers and oceans are also critical elements of our ecosystem. Agricultural practices can significantly impact the health of rivers and oceans.

Are the vast oceans “really” running out of seafood?

Scientific studies suggest that if we continue to fish at the current rate, much of the wild seafood population will be eliminated by 2050.

What are some of the factors associated with dwindling seafood populations?

A few of the factors contributing to dwindling seafood populations are: Advanced technologies that enable fishing in great quantities Up to 44 billion pounds of species that were not meant to be caught (by-catch) are thrown back “dead” into the oceans each year.

Is farmed seafood the answer to sustainably meeting demand?

Eco-friendly farmed seafood can be part of the answer. Most farmed catfish, trout and shellfish are sustainably raised; much farmed salmon and shrimp has proven to be environmentally destructive.

Should I refrain from eating wild seafood?

You CAN (and should) eat seafood!! It is a good source of protein, mono and polyunsaturated fats (the good fats). Just opt for sustainable species. Learn about “Best” choices at Seafoodwatch.org.

What is sustainable seafood?

Our partners at the Seafood Watch program define sustainable seafood as: …from sources, either fished or farmed, that can maintain or increase production into the long-term without jeopardizing the affected ecosystems.

What is our position on sustainable seafood?

We are committed to protecting the threatened global fish supply. Annually we have purchased over 10 million pounds of sustainable seafood. Our work with the aquaculture supply chain and the Monterey Bay Aquarium has resulted in the first sustainably certified farmed salmon and shrimp Our Goal is to: Remove 500,000 pounds of unsustainable aquaculture by the year 2013

Why should I be concerned about antibiotics being fed to chickens?

Research suggests that overuse of antibiotics in livestock, usually as a growth promoter, can be a cause of antibiotic resistance in humans.

What is our position on the routine use of antibiotics in animal feed?

We prohibit the purchase of non processed chicken products in which antibiotics have been used for growth promotion purposes. Our purchasing policy was developed in partnership with The Environmental Defense Fund.

What is the difference between conventional eggs and eggs produced in a “cage-free” environment?

Cage-free eggs support animal welfare Each caged (conventional) bird has less space than a single sheet of paper on which to live. Cage-free hens generally have percent more space per bird and are able to engage in more of their natural behaviors than are caged hens.

What is our position on cage-free eggs?

In 2007, we implemented a cage-free shell egg policy which requires all units to offer shell eggs that are certified by the Humane Farm Animal Care Program. Our cage-free shell egg policy will significantly improve the welfare of over 175,000 chickens per year.

What is our position on sustainable coffee?

We support a variety of certified coffee production methods: Fair Trade Shade Grown Organic

Compass has adopted the coffee community of Miramar, Mexico. We provide continued funds to help them build a stronger agriculture and health infrastructures.

What is our position on Customer Nutrition, Health & Wellness?

We recognize that the food we serve can have a significant impact on the health and well being of our customers. Our Balanced and Meeting Well initiatives provide a variety of healthful options and educational tools that encourage our customers to make healthier dining, catering and vending choices. Our Goals are to: *Introduce Meeting Well to 50% of eligible clients by 2010 *Engage all suppliers to meet specific targets set forth in our position papers on trans fat, sodium, portion size and providing nutrition information

How are we addressing the obesity issue?

Focuses on moderation and variety Promotes reasonable portion sizes Identifies foods moderate in calories, fat and sodium Provides solutions for dining, vending and catering

What are we doing to ensure the health of our employees?

Our Meeting Well catering initiative, in partnership with the American Cancer Society, promotes healthful meals, breaks and exercise time for all internal meetings. We encourage unit level managers to engage our associates and promote a healthy lifestyle as a team effort. Our Goals are to: *Realize a 10% year over year increase in associate participation in our Annual Physicals, Breast Cancer and Colon Cancer Screening programs *Use Meeting Well guidelines for 80% of all internal meetings by 2010 Our Meeting Well catering initiative, in partnership with the American Cancer Society, promotes healthful meals, breaks and exercise time for all internal meetings. We encourage unit level managers to engage our associates and promote a healthy lifestyle as a team effort. Our Goals are to: *Realize a 10% year over year increase in associate participation in our Annual Physicals, Breast Cancer and Colon Cancer Screening programs *Use Meeting Well guidelines for 80% of all internal meetings by 2010

Healthy Nutrition Facts For a truly whole grain bread, choose options with labels that use the word “whole” in the name, such as “100% whole wheat,” “whole wheat,” or “whole grain.” Look for the many whole grain options available in our café’s every day

“Not-so-healthy” Nutrition Facts A 20 oz. bottle of Coca-Cola has the equivalent of 26 sugar cubes. Look for our many “No Added Sugar” and zero calorie beverages if you are managing your weight

What is a Superfood?

A Superfood has health benefits above and beyond standard nutrients. We celebrate a different Superfood each month in our cafes

What is Portion Distortion?

Portion sizes have increased substantially in the past years. In 1988, a bagel averaged 140 calories, today’s bagel averages 350 calories! A cheeseburger in 1988 was 333 calories, today’s average is 590! An extra 100 calories per day can result in an additional 10 lbs weight gain per year!