Compass Group USA Expands Sustainability Platform

CHARLOTTE, NC -- Compass Group USA said its starting up a new sustainability platform to better protect and manage its food sources. Compass Group USA is a division of London-based Compass Group, which is also parent to Canteen, the nation's largest vending provider.

The company said it will purchase a minimum of 20% of its produce and other products from local and regional sources. It will also increase the purchase of animal proteins from suppliers that promote humane welfare of farm animals and source foods that are produced with minimal use or free of chemicals and antibiotics. And it will reduce the purchases of red meat by 30% based on 2014 volumes.

Compass Group is offering USDA organic label items as first choice options on menus when available and serve only wild caught and aquaculture seafood from "environmentally responsible" sources or those on a path towards improvement.

Additionally, the foodservice giant has partnered with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to foster better pay and conditions to harvesters.

Finally, Compass Group said it will reduce the environmental footprint of its foodservice operations in terms of food, energy, water and landfill waste.