Sarah Lawrence College

• Type: Liberal Arts, Private, 4 yr, 1000-5000, Suburban
• Region: Northeast
• City: Bronxville
• State: NY
• involvement in the Real Food Challenge?
  Level 2: Active in the network
• Provider: Flik (Compass)
• Dining Services Director/Executive Chef: Denise Sombat
• Needs and challenges: SLC currently has 0% real food. We're taking on the Real Food Challenge and then some by engaging in a campaign for 20% real food in 5 years. We have three main challenges. Firstly, our school has a tiny endowment, leaving little wiggle room financially. Secondly, there is fairly widespread student apathy. Lastly, we have a very long standing relationship with our food service provider, which makes it difficult for the school administration to let go. FLIK, our food service provider (who is owned by Compass Group, which also owns Chartwells, Bon Appetit, and many more) began here at SLC some 25+ years ago, and they are the only provider SLC has had since it began outsourcing its food services. BUT, we are very excited because the most recent round of contracts with FLIK is running up in 2009, so we have a huge opportunity to either switch providers, and/or make significant changes in the next contract with whichever provider we choose.
• Successes and achievements: Last year, we secured funding and helped oversee the implementation of a green roof and a retrofitting of an on-campus house with ecological design. We hired nearby community organization, Sustainable South Bronx, who installed the green roof on one of our dorms just two weeks ago in celebration of Green for All's national day of action for Green Jobs Now! After securing funding last spring, one of our on-campus houses was retrofitted over the summer with solar water heating panels, brand new insulation, new efficient appliances, toilets and shower heads, and beautiful new garden plot in the yard. This house, Warren Green, has formed itself into a co-op, and is central to much of the environmental action and awareness on campus.
• Food activities: student organizations, fair trade purchasing, student farm/garden
• Relevant academic programs: Course(s) offered, Extracurricular Activities, Student-run programs, Internships
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