SFSU Dining Services Takes on Goalympics Challenge to Slash Food Waste

In a bid to make a meaningful impact on the environment, City Eats, the dining service at San Francisco State University (SFSU), has set its sights on reducing total waste by an ambitious 5%. The initiative is part of a nationwide Goalympics competition organized by Sodexo, a global food services and facilities management company.

Equipped with WasteWatch technology powered by Leanpath, City Eats is gearing up for a series of sustainability games aimed at tackling various aspects of food waste. The competition includes events such as Veggie Savers, focusing on reducing leftover vegetables, and Meal Rescue Squad, which aims to save meals by utilizing waste data to inform production decisions.

The Food Waste Warriors event will test teamwork as teams strive to capture the highest amount of food waste in pounds, while Participation Powerhouses will see frontline team members competing to be the most active tracker of food waste. The Reduction Raiders event will recognize the team that achieves the largest reduction in waste by percentage during the games.

Crucially, City Eats is inviting students who dine at the facility to become integral players in this initiative. The dining service is encouraging students to support the team by reducing plate waste, recognizing the impact of individual actions on the overall goal.

The waste reduction efforts are measured daily after meal periods, with employees diligently weighing food waste to track progress. This commitment to transparency and accountability underscores the seriousness with which City Eats is approaching the Goalympics challenge.

This story is significant for a variety of reasons. First, it aims to generate awareness about the environmental impact of food waste. Secondly, it reinforces the importance of individual responsibility in curbing food waste. Moreover, it highlights the value of acting not only to reduce waste but also to contribute to feeding those in need. Lastly, the initiative seeks to build customer support for the onsite sustainability efforts, making it an engaging story for a diverse audience.

As City Eats competes in the Goalympics, the hope is that this challenge will inspire similar initiatives and encourage a broader conversation about responsible consumption and waste reduction within the community.

City Eats of San Francisco State University is not alone in its quest for waste reduction; numerous campuses across the region are actively participating in the Goalympics initiative under the guidance of Jason Adams, Vice President of Operations for the West at Sodexo.

"We want to empower our dining teams and students with knowledge to inspire conscious consumption and mindful choices that make a positive impact on our planet and wellbeing,” said Adams. “The ‘Goalympics’ is a fun, engaging way and rewards everyone involved. By making this a focused effort across our region, we are demonstrating that every ounce of food carries a story with it - the resources, time, effort, and love that has gone into it. We hope to remind everyone to truly respect the journey from farm to plate and collaboratively reduce waste, leaving a sustainable legacy for the future."

Participating campuses include Gonzaga University, Loyola Marymount University, California Lutheran University, Gonzaga McCarthey Athletic Center, Point Loma Nazarene University, CSU San Marcos, Menlo College, Saint Mary's College, CSU Maritime, La Sierra University, Fullerton College, Mt San Antonio College, Academy Of Art, Harvey Mudd College, and Chapman University.

These diverse institutions collectively signify a regional commitment to tackling food waste and promoting sustainable practices within their dining services. The Goalympics competition serves as a platform for these campuses to highlight their dedication to environmental responsibility and foster a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose in addressing the global issue of food waste.