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Triple Bottom Line: The Creation of a Sustainable Food Chain Protocol. Skylar M. VanNatta

Central Michigan University

MGT 487 Project May 3, 2014

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Introduction There is no question that sustainability is currently at the forefront of the public debate. According to Our Common Future, also known as the Brundtland Report, the definition of sustainable development can be described as:

"The development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

This definition contains two separate components. The first component is the concept of needs, while the second component is the idea of limitations. Sustainability is a balance between taking what is needed, while still walking on a thin line of what is available.

In 1994, John Elkington, a world leader in sustainable development and corporate responsibility, developed the phrase “triple bottom line” (Canadian Business for Social Responsibility, 2013). Elkington argues that companies should prepare three separate bottom lines. The triple bottom line (TBL) that Elkington is referring to consists of the three P’s of business: profit, people and planet. By incorporating all three P’s, the triple bottom line strives to calculate the economic, social, and environmental endeavors of a corporation. Only companies that prepare a complete TBL are considering the full costs associated with business (The Economist, 2009).

The first bottom line is the traditional calculation of corporate profit and loss. This bottom line is the most known and commonly used of the three, and is typically considered “thee bottom line.” The second measure falls into the planet or environmental category. This bottom line is a measure of how environmentally responsible a company or

VanNatta 3 organization has been throughout its operations. The final measurement is the people or social bottom line. This bottom line focuses on how socially responsible an organization has been. Companies and organizations that take the time to measure their TBLs are the only groups who will recognize their social and environmental impact, and therefore will work to become more environmentally and socially responsible (The Economist, 2009). Because many companies do not calculate their TBLs, there are many costs of business that are not realized nor paid for.

With steadily increasing global awareness of sustainability, businesses of all industries have responded by reporting their impacts on the global economy, environment, and the organization itself. Companies are doing more by participating in sustainability programs and releasing Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability reports to the public. This behavior shows that businesses utilize sustainability reporting as a powerful tool in their decision-making, as well as in their corporate policy and strategy. There seems to be a growing acknowledgment that regular and valid sustainability reporting is in the best interest of businesses from any field.

One problem with the triple bottom line is that the three separate accounts cannot be added up together with ease. Unlike the profit account, it is difficult to quantify the planet and people accounts. For example, the lost monetary profit from an oil spill can be easily calculated, but it is much more difficult to provide the cost that the oil spill had on nature and the people effected by it.

VanNatta 4 As a college student, one major aspect of my college career was living in the residential halls and eating at university cafeterias. With a student population of roughly 28,000 students, there is a high demand for quality food. To accommodate these demands, Campus Dining has four university cafeterias, stationed around Central Michigan University’s campus. Nutrition, menus, and other related details can be found at http://www.campusdish.com. Upon investigation, the website offers a link to sustainability efforts put forth by Campus Dining facilities. The website promotes sustainable food that is organic, sustainably certified, natural, and above all local.

It seems that the idea of buying local has been engrained into our minds as a patriotic act of supporting our local communities and fighting against large evil corporations. Grocery stores proudly display signs above produce from local farms, and restaurants advertise the fact that they buy ingredients locally. There is an endless list of reasons supporting the idea of buying local. Common rationale includes supporting the community, reducing negative environmental impact through less transportation, creating more jobs for Americans, and all around better service. Dependable sources have even presented reliable studies and research claiming that buying local is indeed the best option. However, these studies tend to look at one factor and one factor alone, the economic bottom line. It is true that spending money at a nearby roadside shop keeps money within the community, and thus contributes to keeping the local economy alive. However, what are the environmental and social impacts of buying locally versus buying non-locally? Do these two factors offset the benefit of buying local? Is it possible that buying from different regions is actually a better option when considering the triple bottom line?

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A Word From Professor Van Miller This report on sustainable food chains and corporate stewardship satisfies the main requirement for MGT 487—Project Course for Sustainable Development. During the semester, it is linked to MGT 400 Global Concepts for Sustainable Development, which emphasizes three sustainability tools—sustainability science, life-cycle analysis, and industrial ecology. Being the second time the course has been offered, we decided to devote the course to the sustainability theme of food, given its importance on our campus. Food represents a highly relevant theme for a university with numerous residence halls and is consistent with emerging CMU efforts at sustainability. As Skylar discusses and elaborates on herein, evaluating local vs. non-local food items from a sustainability perspective is exceedingly difficult. In fact, there does not seem to exist a readily available instrument for such an undertaking. That fact has provided the impetus for this particular course project—the construction of a sustainable food chain protocol.

Part One: What’s Missing? Central Michigan University utilizes Gordon Food Services (GFS) as the distributor of food for on-campus dining facilities. Gordon Food Service is North America's largest family-owned broadline foodservice distributor. The company also has a segment in Canada known as Gordon Food Service Canada (GFSC). The company dedicates itself to its customers by providing quality products and solutions to help drive its customer’s success (Gordon Food Service). GFS has intertwined stewardship with the company’s

VanNatta 6 culture, history, and future aspirations. The company simply categorizes its goals in three current and future objectives: ensure corporate sustainability, minimize environmental impact, and promote social responsibility. GFS desires to “sustain its financial performance while serving its customers, providing jobs, paying taxes, and supporting communities today and in the future” (Markon Inc). The company focuses on maintaining sustainable operations and spreading the essentialness of sustainability by offering sustainable products. Lastly, GFS seeks to “care for its people, customers, supplies, and the community it serves” (Markon Inc).

Though Gordon Food Service is a large distributor, it is part of a company called Markon Cooperative, Inc. Markon was founded in 1985, and was the first productpurchasing agent for foodservice. The company is made up of eight independent, broadline foodservice companies throughout both Canada and the United States. “Today, it procures, delivers, and markets fresh produce for nine of the leading independent foodservice distributors in North America” (Markon Inc). Due to the importance of stewardship within the agricultural industry, Markon will only partner with companies and growers who share the same beliefs about sustainability (Markon Inc). Markon states its overall viewpoint on sustainability by saying that “the stewardship of the land and profitability are not mutually exclusive, and success does not have to compromise the needs of future generations” (Markon Inc).

Shamrock Foods Company was started in 1922 by the son of an Irish farmer who immigrated to the U.S. Upon his arrival, the Irish farmer purchased a small dairy farm and served a small group of customers in the Tucson area. “Shamrock Foods

VanNatta 7 specializes in the manufacturing and distribution of quality foods and food-related products” (Shamrock Foods). 92 years have passed since is creation and Shamrock now serves its customers through multiple companies including both Shamrock Foods and Shamrock Farms. Shamrock Farms is the biggest dairy farm located in the Southwest part of the US. Shamrock Foods is a large company (7th largest) that serves as a U.S. foodservice distributor. Currently, Phoenix serves as Shamrock’s headquarters and center of distribution. From this city, the company sends refrigerated trucks all over the region. The nine states that Phoenix handles include Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and California (Shamrock Foods). The company acknowledges that it has a responsibility to not only the current generation, but also future generations. Shamrock also realizes that its companies have a large impact on the environment, and therefore has dedicated itself to implementing its objectives of sustainable development in all areas of its business.

Shamrock moves towards its goal by closely monitoring water and energy usage, researching transportation alternatives and enhancements, reducing waste, preventing pollution, incorporating sustainable products and packaging, and constantly looking for future opportunities to reduce their footprint. Due to its extreme importance within society, Shamrock has paid special attention to water. Shamrock has reduced its water consumption by implementing wastewater treatment systems, creating a storm water pollution prevention plan, auditing all facilities for leaks, and installing motion-activated water faucets in bathrooms. Energy conservation has been achieved through the use of high-efficiency boilers, replacement of incandescent light bulbs, and proper staff education. Due to a rise in oil prices, Shamrock conserves fuel by using truck engines

VanNatta 8 that are clean-idle certified, installing idle timers that automatically shut off truck engines after five straight minutes of idling, and utilizing truck routing software that minimizes miles driven. In order to reduce waste, Shamrock employs many tactics including implementing companywide recycling receptacles, reusing warehouse-shipping pallets, and adhering to air and water quality permits to ensure federal, state, and local compliance. Finally, Shamrock uses packaging made with 100% recyclable materials, and strongly encourages customers to take advantage of this application (Markon Inc).

After 50 years of business, Reinhart Foodservice (RFS) has grown to become the 5th largest foodservice distributor in the country. Rapid expansion is credited to the outstanding quality of Reinhart’s products and a strong employee commitment. Reinhart also recognizes the commitment of their suppliers who “work closely with us to help provide the best value to our customers” (Reinhart Foodservice). As the company begins its 5th decade of business, it adapts to changes in time and values. Since the company hopes to continue its long line of success for many more years to come, Reinhart has devoted itself to solid environmental stewardship. It is “making a concerted effort to take an environmentally sound direction in every significant aspect of its business” (Markon Inc). The company’s focus statement is to outsmart its competitors and continuously get better as the days progress. (Reinhart Foodservice LLC).

Reinhart’s current green initiatives revolve around transportation, smart energy, recycling, and green disposables and cleaners. To better transportation, Reinhart is attempting to incorporate earth-friendly components into every truck it owns, equipping new tractors with diesel engines, and paying attention to little details such as monitoring

VanNatta 9 tires to ensure they are at the best possible air pressure. In terms of smart energy, Reinhart is working to raise efficiency in the arrival and storage of products in its warehouses. Reinhart has reported that it “has been able to drastically reduce its energy use through smart warehouse designs, engineering standards, and efficient routing” (Markon Inc). After increasing its recycling efforts, Reinhart learned that recycling has multiple benefits. According to Reinhart “recycling reduces the use of energy and raw materials, and it also reduces the amount of waste that the company pays to haul to landfills” (Markon Inc). Lastly, Reinhart offers green product alternatives that have the ability to decompose and return back to nature. These products include cups and lids called Greenware by Fabri-Kal, service ware called the Genpak Harvest Collection, and earth-friendly cleaners that are non-toxic, non-hazardous, and noncorrosive (Markon Inc).

ProPacific Fresh was founded in 1983 in Durham, California. The company got its start by selling products to local vendors. As the company expanded, the product selection grew as well. Today, ProPacific offers a large selection of dairy products, eggs, meat, cheese, fruits, frozen items, vegetables, salads, salad dressing, and more. With the support of customers, ProPacific has been able to expand distribution operations in Redding, Durham, Sacramento, and Eureka, California. In addition to distribution operations, ProPacifc also operates two other businesses. The first is an incorporated logistics and freight company called Third Party Logistic Services. The second is a “service and repair center serving the transportation and agriculture industry” (ProPacific Fresh) called Durhman Pentz Truck Center. “ProPacific Fresh actively participates in energy conservation, water conservation, and recycling” (Markon Inc).

VanNatta 10 The company realizes that serving the environment can concurrently benefit the company’s operations by eliminated both waste and costs. ProPacific constantly researches efficient products and practices to implement within its own company, as well as within other businesses it works with (Markon Inc).

Nicholas William Mouskondis started Nicholas & Company back in 1939. 75 years have passed and the company is still within the family. Due to the strong ancestor influences, the original family vision has remained unchanged. The company strives to incorporate “integrity, honesty, and opportunity for all associates and team members” (Markon Inc). While the company sticks to its initial core values, it has been adapting with time. A key factor within the company’s operations, facilities, and products is sustainability. Not only has sustainability helped the company to fuel its success, it also shows customers that the company has good intentions and a sincere concern for the community. Nicholas & Company takes its impact on the communities and families it touches seriously. Unlike the other companies discussed, Nicholas & Company has partnered with the SWCA Environmental Performance Group in order to gauge its carbon footprint. The company is now hard at work developing a plan to minimize its impact on the environmental by reducing that footprint (Nicholas & Company, Inc.). Nicholas & Company has made many other changes to its company in order to move towards higher sustainability as well.

Nicholas & Company’s current green practices include sustainable products and tools, sustainable facilities, and sustainable operations. The company offers customers a variety of operational tools such as reduce-reuse-recycle guides, and sustainability

VanNatta 11 definitions and explanations. Nicholas & Company’s facilities have been renovated to include sustainable applications including light-reflective roofing material, renewable carpeting, UV-reflective film on windows, and recycled insulation in thicker cooler and freezer walls. Operations have been improved through actions such as extensive recycling, converting all warehouse equipment to electric, thicker insulated walls on trailers, and smaller more fuel-efficient engines in delivery vehicles (Markon Inc).

Floyd L. Maines, Sr. founded Maines Candy Company in 1919. Through the generations, Maines Candy Company has navigated its way into the foodservice business. Today, Maines Candy Company is known as Maines Paper & Food Service. It is the seventh largest broadline distributor in the country, and one of the largest independent systems distributors in the country. Though the company has experienced a great deal of transformations, sustainability is more than just a fad at Maines. Being green is a core value of the company that has been “integrated into its corporate identity through innovation, eco-conscience programs, and initiatives” (Maines Paper & Food Service, Inc.).

Maines makes green-minded decisions on all levels within the company, and its actions encompass everything from reducing waste, recycling, reusing, to energy conservation. Like many of Markon’s cooperatives, Maines recycles cardboards, plastics, and aluminum. The company’s delivery vehicles are routed in the most efficient way possible to decrease mileage, and truck drivers are offered special incentives for lowering miles per gallon rates. Maines even works with government agencies and undergoes audits to uncover any leaks, drips, or other obvious waste. All chemicals and

VanNatta 12 cleaning products the company uses within the warehouse are being switched over to the new “green” line to avoid any sort of negative impacts on the environment. Energy conservation is another key strategy Maines is incorporating into the company. Motiondetecting light switchers were installed, truck drivers completely turn off engines at deliveries and pick-ups, and all office equipment is shut down at the end of each workday. In the rare case that products do not meet standards for shipment, Maines donates the product to local food banks. $50,000 worth of food is donated to the underprivileged and elderly annually. Despite their positive progress, Maines always scans the horizon for new eco-friendly initiatives that can be employed (Markon Inc).

Ben E. Keith Company was started in 1906 and is a distributor of food service products. The company has an extensive line of produces including “produce, frozen foods, refrigerated foods, meats, dry groceries, paper goods, equipment and supplies to restaurants, schools, hospitals, nursing homes and other institutional businesses” (Ben E. Keith). Ben E. Keith serves eleven states in the foodservice division, and employs over 4,000 people. The company focuses on utilizing resources correctly and reducing its environmental impact throughout the entire company.

Ben E. Keith has fully pledged its company to going green. The company is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council. This council advocates the importance of building green, and has certified Ben E. Keith’s construction team as LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Accredited. In addition, the company has applied a variety of other environmentally friendly activities. Ben E. Keith installed energy-efficient controls on refrigeration systems, utilizes water-saving appliances in all areas of

VanNatta 13 operation, uses fluorescent lightings, replaced all wooden pallets with reusable plastic pallets, recycles, and is even working to introduce paperless deliveries in some markets (Markon Inc).

It is clear to see that sustainability has become a component that companies are beginning to invest in. Each of Markon’s eight independent broadline foodservices provides information on how it is making smarter and more environmentally efficient decisions. While this shows progress in the use of the environmental or planet bottom line, none of the companies researched made an effort to include the social bottom line. Due to the absence of the third bottom line, the full evaluation of local vs. non-local food items from a sustainability perspective remains impossible. For this reason, in order to answer whether or not to buy local, the construction of a sustainable food chain protocol must be developed

Part Two: Sustainable Food Chain Protocol In order to create a spreadsheet that could be used to choose between local and nonlocal sources, a list of factors pertaining to the triple bottom line was complied. The structure of the spreadsheet consists of columns for each of the triple bottom lines, and rows that are based off different stages of business. A single spreadsheet is devoted to a single company or organization. When evaluating a company or organization, the participant should consider actions occurring over the past 10 years. If the company or organization is younger, then every year since its creation should be taken into consideration while calculating.

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Since factors on the spreadsheet are difficult to quantify, the same person or the same group of people should fill out the spreadsheets. This will keep a certain level of consistency. Companies should always fill out their own spreadsheets as an added attempt to create uniformity. In addition, Companies should always fill out their spreadsheets at the time that a decision is being made. Companies and organizations change over time, and their triple bottom line may adjust significantly enough to sway the decision.

When filling out the spreadsheet companies are rated by each factor and given a number between one and five. Five represents strongly agree, four represents agree, three represents neutral, two represents disagree and one represents strongly disagree. After each factor has been given a numerical value, the triple bottom line is calculated by adding up all of the numbers. During the use of this particular table, the higher the triple bottom line value, the better.

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VanNatta 16 The Figure on the previous page shows the spreadsheet created for evaluating local vs. non-local options. Below is a short description of each category. Evaluators should read each statement with the sliding scale depicted below in mind.

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree

1 ------------------------- 2 ------------------------- 3 ------------------------- 4 ------------------------- 5

*As a side note, one might notice that there are few variables on the spreadsheet pertaining to the economic bottom line. When a company is pricing its product for sale, the price depends on certain factors of business. Was water more expensive? Did the minimum wage increase? The end price will reflect all of these changes. Therefore, for the purpose of this paper, it should be assumed that “price” accounts for a large variety of factors, and that is why it does not have a large presence on the spreadsheet.

Production Nurturing the Land – Rotational Crop Planting: Environmental “Crops are rotated in chronological seasons to help manage soil fertility and to help avoid or reduce problems with soil borne diseases and soil-dwelling insects” (Organic Gardening). Environmental Impact – Erosion: Environmental Measures have been taken to keep erosion to a minimal. This includes planting grass or using ground cover on exposed soil that is not being utilized for crop growing. All embankments or slopped land is not left exposed or bare. There is an adequate draining or water collection system in place. Retaining walls and fences are used as windbreakers (National Geographic).

VanNatta 17 Environmental Impact – Agricultural Runoff: Environmental Agricultural runoff is prevented through constant maintenance of tracks and raceway (buffer strips along edge of crops) or through the use of a filtration system (United States Environmental Protection Agency).

Pest Management: Pesticides Environmental Use of pesticides is within the rules and regulations set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Use of fertilizers also adhered to the instructions put forth by the manufacturer (University of Florida)

Pest Management - Fertilizers: Environmental Use of fertilizers is within the rules and regulations set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Use of fertilizers also adhered to the instructions put forth by the manufacturer (University of Florida). Materials – Water Use: Environmental The amount of water used per day should follow along with the suggested amount presented by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Materials - Land to Crop Output Ratio: Environmental Land is being utilized efficiently and produces a highest crop to land ratio.

Water Recycling: Environmental At least 50% of water used during operations is recycle for repeated use.

Energy Use - Amount: Environmental The company employs techniques to reduce use of electricity such as energy efficient equipment (Ensave Inc). The company adheres to the suggestions made by EnSave, an organization that works with farms to dramatically reduce energy consumption.

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Energy Use – Source: Environmental Company receives at least 5% of energy from reusable resources such as solar or wind. Waste – Toxic or Hazardous: Environmental Toxic or Hazardous waste is disposed properly and meets all US guidelines and requirements set by the Department of Environmental conservation and US Environmental Protection Agency (United States Environmental Protection Agency).

Biodiversity: Environmental “Operational sites leased, owned, and managed in or adjacent to protected areas and areas of high biodiversity respect the land and protect the resources it has to offer” (Altron). Procurement/Sourcing Practices – Multiplier Effect: Social Company works with other companies and organizations. By providing business to other companies, there is a larger multiplier effect in terms of number of jobs and money circulation. Procurement/Sourcing Practices – Human Rights: Social The human rights of employees are being respected at companies that are being worked with? Procurement/Sourcing Practices – Environmental Protection: Environmental The environment is a factor of concern for companies that are being worked with. Procurement/Sourcing Practices – Fair Trade: Social Trading partnerships is based on dialogue, transparency and respect, which seek greater equity in trade.

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Employees

Use of Local Labor: Social More than 80% of workers live locally. This entails having a 25 minute commute (US average) or shorter. Standard of Living – Housing Opportunities: Social Workers have housing options within 20 miles of the workplace that cost within the recommend 30% of yearly pay. Standard of Living – Educational Opportunities: Social Education facilities including elementary, middle, and high school are located within 20 miles of the workplace.

Labor Costs: Social Pay rates are above or equal to official minimum wage set by state set by the location of company or organization filling out spreadsheet.

Human Rights – Equal Opportunity: Social Diverse workforce where employees are not discriminated against in accordance with Federal Employment Statutes.

Human Rights – Fair Treatment of Women: Social Male and female workers are treated in the same manner. There is a system in place to allow for workplace sexual harassment complaints.

Human Rights – Child Labor: Social There is no use of child labor as defined by the US Department of Labor

VanNatta 20 Career Development (Training): Social Job provides employees with sufficient training that will adequately prepare them for their future.

Worker Safety: Social Workers are educated in worker safety and annual safety incidents are reported.

Transportation and Distribution

Emissions: Environmental All forms of transportation have routing tools that plan route based on the shortest possible mileage. Cars and trucks are idle-certified and trucks are turned completely off during pick-ups and drop-offs

Cost: Economic Cost of current gas prices.

Availability: Economic Growing season allows for yearlong growth. It is easy to receive shipments and produce is accessible. Food Safety – Number of Safety Tests: Social Growing season allows for yearlong growth. It is easy to receive shipments and produce Food Safety – Number of Reported incidences: Social All incidences of food safety have been reported properly. There have been a limited number of food safety issues in the past 10 years where the product actually makes it to the consumer’s hands.

Quality: Economic Products undergo a variety of taste tests that evaluate taste, texture, appearance.

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Price: Economic Price of product

Impact on Surrounding Community: Social The surround community benefits and from the company and enjoys or is indifference to the company’s presence within the population.

Conclusion: The initial motivation for this paper included determining whether or not to buy local or non-local. After researching, it became obvious that there was no feasible way to measure the total costs of buying near or far. While economic information is readily available, environmental factors that might sway the decision one way or another is hard to find. Additionally, social factors are completely nonexistent and thus have absolutely no say in the debate. In facing this dilemma, the purpose of the paper transformed. Instead of advocating for or against buying local, the main purpose became creating a measurement tool that could aid in beginning to understand the full costs of each option. This protocol could then be used in the process of choosing between local and non-local.

There are both positives and negatives to buying local and non-local. After a spreadsheet was created to measure the triple bottom line of each option, it became clear that there is no concrete answer to buying local or far. With so many variables involved in making the judgment, it can be assumed that every situation is different. There is not possibility that one version of the spreadsheet will fit all needs. Any

VanNatta 22 company or business that wish to utilize the spreadsheet must make alterations and incorporate different factors that apply to their situation. While local might be best under some circumstances, non-local could be better under other conditions.

Food is one of three basic necessities that every human requires to stay alive. With such a large importance within society, it is highly unlikely that such an industry will vanish anytime soon. While extremists continue to fight for either side of the spectrum, more attention should be put into the entire process overall. Instead of promoting local over non-local, or vice versa, the triple bottom line should be promoted no matter what the location is. At the end of the day, companies and organizations will still have to choose between a group of local and non-local providers. Instead of having location be the deciding factor, lets let the triple bottom line fulfill its purpose of providing the true overall cost of doing business.

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References: Altron (n.d.). National Biodiversity Assessment. Retrieved from http://www.altron.co.za/pdf/2013/Altron_National_Biodiversity_Asessment_2012.pdf Armark (n.d.). Campus Dish. Retrieved from http://www.campusdish.com/homeSL/OurSolutions.htm Ben E. Keith (n.d.). About. Retrieved from http://www.benekeith.com/about/ Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (2013, August 8). John Elkington to keynote CBSR Summit. Retrieved from http://www.cbsr.ca/news-and-press/john-elkington-keynote-cbsr-summit-november6th-toronto Central Michigan University (n.d.). Campus dining sustainability. Retrieved from http://www.campusdish.com/en-US/CSMW/CMU/Sustainability/#Sustainable%20Food The Economist Newspaper (2009, November 17). Triple bottom line. Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/node/14301663 Ensave Inc (n.d.). Agricultural Energy Efficiency | Farm Energy Audits. Retrieved from http://www.ensave.com/ EPA (n.d.). Protecting water quality from agricultural runoff. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/Ag_Runoff_Fact_Sheet.pdf Gordon Food Service (n.d.). History. Retrieved from http://www.gfs.com/en/about-us/history.page John Elkington. (n.d.). John Elkington. Retrieved May 5, 2014, from http://www.johnelkington.com/ John Elkington. (n.d.). John Elkington. Retrieved May 5, 2014, from http://volans.com/people/team/johnelkington/

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Maines Paper & Food Service, Inc. (n.d.). Our History. Retrieved from http://www.maines.net/broadline/about-us/our-story-timeline Markon Inc. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from http://www.markon.com/about-us Markon Inc. (n.d.). Ben E. Keith Foods’ Initiatives. Retrieved from http://www.markon.com/sustainability/bene-keith-foods Markon Inc (n.d.). Maines Paper & Food Service’s Initiatives. Retrieved from http://www.markon.com/sustainability/maines-paper-and-food-service Markon Inc (n.d.). Nicholas & Company’s Initiatives. Retrieved from http://www.markon.com/sustainability/nicholas-and-company Markon Inc (n.d.). Reinhart Foodservice’s Initiatives. Retrieved from http://www.markon.com/sustainability/reinhart-foodservice Markon Inc (n.d.). Shamrock Foods Company’s Initiatives. Retrieved from http://www.markon.com/sustainability/shamrock-foods-company Markon (n.d.). Gordon Food Service's Initiatives. Retrieved from http://www.markon.com/sustainability/gordon-food-service-usa Markon (n.d.). ProPacific Fresh Initiatives. Retrieved from http://www.markon.com/sustainability/propacificfresh National Geographic (n.d.). erosion - National Geographic Education. Retrieved from http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/erosion/?ar_a=1

VanNatta 25 Nicholas & Company, Inc. (n.d.). Nicholas & Company About Us. Retrieved from http://www.nicholasandco.com/pages/about_main.shtml Organic Gardening (n.d.). Why is Crop Rotation So Important?: Organic Gardening. Retrieved from http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/crop-rotation ProPacificfresh (n.d.). ProPacific Fresh History. Retrieved from http://www.propacificfresh.com/about.php Reinhart Foodservice LLC (n.d.). History. Retrieved from http://www.rfsdelivers.com/AboutReinhart/RFSHistory.aspx Shamrock Foods (n.d.). History. Retrieved from https://www.shamrockfoodservice.com/company/Pages/History.aspx United States Environmental Protection Agency (n.d.). Hazardous Waste. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/ University of Florida (n.d.). Fertilizers and Pesticides. Retrieved from http://livinggreen.ifas.ufl.edu/landscaping/fertilizers_and_pesticides.html World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED). Our common future. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987 p. 43.