Going Green: Lackmann's Sustainability Vision
Lackmann Culinary Services clearly understands the importance of a sustainable environment. That understanding must be woven through the inner fabric of our company in all that we do and with all our business partners. As a result, the idea of a significant company effort has been underway and will continue to be a major corporate thrust in upcoming years.
Additionally, we have put together a Sustainability Committee, that has created policies and programs that highlight our ongoing commitment to a sustainable environment. As a Company, we have a responsibility for corporate social responsibility, and must play a leadership role in putting the full force of our expertise, research and community outreach to do our part to solve the greatest challenge of our century.
Lackmann Culinary Services takes an aggressive approach toward maintaining an environmentally sound dining program and is constantly seeking out new and improved ways to further develop our environmental plan. We are currently investigating new ways to turn Lackmann Culinary Services into the industry standard for comprehensive environmental preservation initiatives.
Current Efforts
Lackmann Culinary Services has already implemented a number of environmentally friendly initiatives, either directly or in partnership with our vendors, manufacturers, clients, or guests.
» Tips to Help Dining Go Green [pdf]
Local Produce + Products Program
We are very proud to introduce our new Local Produce Program. Utilizing New York State produce wherever possible, recipes now feature the efforts and hard work of some of the finest growers in the area. While promoting these efforts, we are also contributing to a safer environment by using produce that does not have to be shipped in from across the country or from overseas.
Organic + Fair Trade Foods
We provide organically grown foods such as produce, meat and poultry, and packaged goods that were grown or produced using no pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Purchasing organic foods discourages the use of these chemical additives and chemicals that contaminate our water and soil. Lackmann has taken significant steps in the use of organic and fair trade coffee. Several of our coffee vendors, including Starbucks, offer one or more fair trade coffee brands for food service use.
Delivery Schedule
A strict vendor delivery schedule has been created to maximize delivery capacity and reduce unnecessary trips for small deliveries. Lackmann has reduced the amount of CO2 added to the atmosphere by 20%, simply by eliminating one delivery per week.
Frying Oil
Oil used for deep-frying must be disposed of properly, and we currently have in place a system for oil disposal at all Lackmann dining locations.
Chinaware
Our all-you-care-to-eat dining locations offer china and flatware.
Biodegradable
Our grab and go locations offer biodegradable paper products for guest use.
Reusable Mug Program
We encourage guests to participate in Lackmann's Reusable Mug Program. Designed at reducing paper cup usage, the program offers 10¢ discount on all fountain and coffee beverage purchases when using the mug. Mugs can be purchased at Cardinal Café.