Food Sourcing

Forward Food: Our Guiding Framework

We’ve set an ambitious goal of producing 50% plant-based menus by 2025. This includes hands-on culinary training, sourcing quality ingredients, and educating our team. We are exploring whole, nourishing vegan dishes and partnering with the Humane Society of the United States, RIT Sustainability, and the RIT Vegan Club

Sourcing Responsibly

We recognize that our food choices impact the environment. That's why we carefully consider where we source our ingredients. Our proteins—meats, eggs, cheese—are carefully chosen with animal welfare in mind, and we respect diverse dietary needs, including Halal options. We strive to use local produce whenever possible. By supporting nearby farmers, we reduce transportation emissions and promote community resilience.

Our food program is designed to benefit our planet and community. As responsible stewards, we make informed decisions about what we serve, prioritizing health, ethical practices, and environmental impact.

Local Vendors

We look local first, from food to paper products, cleaning supplies to equipment. Our local vendors are within a 300-mile radius of campus. Using locally produced and sourced products significantly reduces transportation costs and associated carbon emissions. We partner with various local businesses as a sole source supplier. 

RIT Tait Preserve works exclusively with us to harvest specific crops that will served in our dining location. This year's crops include green onion, beet greens, collard greens, kale, spinach, baby lettuce, red romaine, and bib lettuce.

coffee beans in a bin

Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters

7330 Victor Mendon Rd, Victor, NY 14564
For more than 30 years, Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters has traveled the world to curate long term relationships with growers, processors, and importers to provide high quality, skillfully roasted beans.
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ink water building exterior

Ink Wtr Coffee Roasters

1150 University Ave., Rochester, New York 14607
Small batch artisan roasted coffee made right here in Rochester, Ink Wtr provides amazing cold brew with beans that are ethically sourced.

exterior of building

Lake Beverage Corporation

900 John St., West Henrietta, New York 14586
Did you know we have a bar on campus? The bar at the Cantina & Grille in Global Village proudly serves local brews from Three Heads Brewing and Rohrbach Brewing Company.
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shelves of stocked food

Lee’s Oriental Foods

900 W Jefferson Rd., Rochester, New York 14623
We source all products to create our Asian dishes from Lee’s Oriental Foods.

exterior of building

Niblack Foods

900 Jefferson Rd., Rochester, New York 14623
Niblack Foods was originally born as a bakery in 1932, milling its own flour and specializing in whole-grain breads, cookies and pastries. Niblack is now our supplier of high-quality spices, flavors, and seasoning blends.
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soy boys

Northern Soy

345 Paul Road, New York 14624
Northern Soy started making SoyBoy organic tofu in 1977 using organic soybeans from the Finger Lakes region of New York and as close to home as possible.
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exterior of building

Perry’s Ice Cream

1 Ice Cream Plaza, Akron, New York 14001
From cow to cone, Perry’s Ice Cream was founded in 1918 when H. Morton Perry purchased a milk route in Akron, NY using family recipes that have been passed down four generations using milk from farms in the surrounding Akron communities.
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inside of plant

Palmer Food Services

171 Weidner Road, Rochester, New York 14624
A fifth-generation, family-owned and operated, wholesale food service distributor based one mile from campus, Palmer Food Services sources locally when possible, fresh reliable produce, and meat at all of our dining locations.
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exterior of building

Roc Paper Straws

920 Exchange Street, Rochester, New York 14608
Supplying all drinking straws you see on campus, Roc Paper Straws is a Rochester-based company owned by an RIT alum, with a goal to be plastic free in 2023.
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exterior of building

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc.

368 Pleasant View Dr., Lancaster, New York 14086
We partner with the Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc., owned by family-owned dairy farmers and local coffee suppliers.
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