CarbonFree® Partner
Metropolitan Food Service Inc.
Large Business Partner
http://www.MetropolitanFoodService.com
Massapequa, NY
Food Service
Description
Metropolitan Food Service, Inc. provides creative food service management solutions to Colleges and Universities in the greater New York City area with the goal of inspiring and fueling the minds of our customers with the fresh, nutritious, creative meals and a focus on convenience, affordability and sustainability.
Commitment
Metropolitan Food Service Inc. has developed a multifaceted approach to becoming a more environmentally responsible company. Below are just a few of the programs that have already been successfully integrated into our business model.
Specialty Foods, Produced Locally: Metropolitan Food Service has cultivated successful, longstanding relationships with vendors of specialty foods in the local community, minimizing food miles traveled.
Some of our local vendors include:
• Knishes from Gabilla’s of Coney Island
• Bagels from H&H Bagels of Manhattan
• Pizza dough and fresh rolls from Wenner Bread Products of Bayport, NY
• Pastry for catered events from Pasticceria Bruno of Staten Island
• Breakfast pastry, sandwich bread, gourmet sandwich rolls and baguettes from Brothers Pastries, Inc., of Staten Island
• Cookies and cakes from New York Signature Desserts, of Holtsville, NY,
Prepared Foods, Produced Locally: Providing prepared foods for customers with dietary restrictions and goals (Halal, Kosher, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free) is a priority for Metropolitan Food Service. We have steadily expanded our selection of locally produced and distributed prepared meals and foods by partnering with local vendors and producers. We have also partnered with a Long Island based company, specializing in the distribution of LOCAL low-calorie, low-fat, low-salt, low-sugar, sustainable, organic, vegetarian and vegan-appropriate snack items for the On the Go Healthy Vending Program.
Some of the local brands included in this initiative are:
• Hummus and Grab n’ Go snack items from Sabra Dipping Company of Queens, NY
• Robert’s Pirate’s Booty and other snacks of Sea Cliff, NY
• Glenny’s soy snacks and Newton’s Naturals of Freeport, NY
• Fage brand yogurt, produced upstate in Johnstown, NY
• Chobani yogurt, also produced in upstate NY
• Ram Strive Gourmet’s Kosher and vegan Grab n’ Go sandwiches and meals based in Greenvale, NY
Locally Grown Produce: Metropolitan Food Services has cultivated relationships with growers and distributors of locally grown produce and premium butchered meats. With the assistance of our primary distributor, J Kings Food Service Professionals, Inc. based on Long Island, we have been able to develop and expand our local buying program to include produce purchased from many family owned farms in Long Island, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, all within a 100 miles of Columbus Circle.
Biodegradable and Sustainable Packaging: Disposable products are a necessity in food service, particularly on a College campus where customers on the go. However, Metropolitan Food Service has eliminated the use of all Polystyrene and Styrofoam service ware, which has been demonstrated to be destructive to the environment. We are also committed to reducing non-essential packaging and convenience items and integrating cost effective recycled content and biodegradable and compostable alternatives to conventional disposable items. It is our goal to implement a full line of biodegradable and compostable or recyclable service ware by June, 2011.
Fueling Our Future: In November of 2007 Metropolitan Food Service Inc. began our waste cooking oil recycling program. We have partnered with Tri-State Biodiesel on this initiative with the goal of recycling all of the waste cooking oil from all of our retail food service locations.
Bottled Water Reduction: All aspects of the production of the bottles, the emissions resulting from transporting heavy bottles of water and the pollution that occurs as a result of the irresponsible disposal of the bottles, make this product a significant source of pollution. Reusable water bottles are available for sale at each of our food service locations. Metropolitan Food Service has developed promotions targeted at increasing the use of reusable water bottles.
Sustainable Cleaning Products and Methodologies: Cleanliness is an imperative in food service, and as such plays and essential role in our daily operations. However, many conventional cleaning products and methodologies have been found to have an adverse impact on the environment and human health through the chemical residues that leach into our air and drinking water from their manufacture and use, and through the waste of critical resources like water and electricity. It is our goal to reduce our impact on the environment, without compromising the cleanliness and safety of our facilities, by researching and implementing new sustainable products and practices.
Affiliate Programs: Because of the close relationships that Metropolitan Food Service Inc. has with our many suppliers, we are often offered the opportunity to participate in their sustainability efforts. A perfect example of this is the Starbucks Shared Planet initiative, which has, as part of its core focus, a commitment to environmental stewardship.
Partner Quote
At Metropolitan Food Service, we have an ongoing commitment to decreasing our impact on the environment. However, we realize that there are ways in which we inevitably contribute to global climate change through our daily operations. As a result, Metropolitan Food Service Inc. purchases Carbon Offsets through the Carbonfund.org.
