Sodexo at Saint Peter's University Becomes Food Recovery Certified

Saint Peter’s Dining Services by Sodexo has been recognized as Food Recovery Certified by the Food Recovery Network.

One of only two colleges to receive this certification in New Jersey, Saint Peter’s University has donated approximately 7,500 lbs of food in eight months through Campus Kitchens.

“We are honored to receive Food Recovery Certification,” said Saint Peter’s Dining Services General Manager Jeffrey Weissinger. “This shows that our efforts align with the other 139 Food Recovery Certified campuses across the country. This is great moment for Campus Kitchens, Sodexo and Saint Peter’s University.”

When there is a surplus of food in resident dining, Saint Peter’s Dining Services contacts Campus Kitchens. The food is picked up by 4pm and dispersed to local soup kitchens for an evening meal.

“We are proud that Saint Peter’s University is Food Recovery Certified, and hope that they continue fighting food waste and feeding people,” said Annelise Buck of the Food Recovery Network. “We appreciate their contribution to our goal of making food recovery the norm for businesses.”

Food Recovery Certified is the first nationally recognized certification program around food recovery. Its mission is to recognize and reward food businesses that do the right thing by giving their surplus, unsold foods to local nonprofits serving hungry Americans rather than to landfills.

“Our partnership with Sodexo, the amazing student volunteers, and the overall support from the Saint Peter’s community has driven this project to an unexpected level,” said Erich Sekel, Associate Director of Campus Ministry for Community Service at Saint Peter’s University. “We originally hoped to deliver fifty meals a week. Now we do three hundred meals each week.

Sekel continued, “When a community works together and is focused on making a difference, this is the result; 6,700 meals to date. Intentional effort can change people’s lives.”

Campus Kitchens provides nutritious meals for Jersey City residents in need, was made possible through collaboration with The Campus Kitchens Project, a national organization that empowers student volunteers to fight hunger in their community; Sodexo, Saint Peter’s campus dining provider; Sodexo Foundation, which provided a $5,000 grant; and Rebuilding Together, a national non-profit organization, which provided assistance with the renovations for the space.