Bon Appétit Management Company Recognized for Climate-Friendly Food Service

Cutting-edge environmental innovations in food service recognized by Environmental Defense Fund’s “Innovations Review 2009”

Laguna Niguel, Calif. (April 21, 2009) -Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) today highlighted environmental innovations that are helping companies cut costs, create business opportunities and carve out competitive advantage in a challenging economy. EDF unveiled “Innovations Review 2009: Green Advances for a New Economy” at the Fortune Brainstorm Green Conference, where executives from highlighted companies gathered to discuss how environmental innovations are benefiting their business.

“Bon Appétit Management Company is proud that our Low Carbon Diet has reduced the carbon footprint of our 400 cafes nationwide, and prouder still to be selected by Environmental Defense Fund for this report,” said Fedele Bauccio, CEO of Bon Appétit Management Company.  “We urge all businesses working with food to address the food system’s impact on global warming -it’s good for business, good for the planet, and drives significant transformation of the supply chain, ”

Bon Appétit Management Company’s Low Carbon Diet Day takes place every Earth Day as a public showcase of how the company is reducing carbon emissions generated by the 80 million meals it serves each year in colleges, universities and corporations in 29 states. The company set aggressive annual goals for reducing beef, cheese, food waste, air-freighted seafood, tropical fruits, and processed foods, over a three-year period which began in April of 2007 -far before food’s role in global warming was on the radar of most food system leaders. By giving the chefs and managers in each café both the tools and the autonomy to meet the goals, the company is ahead of schedule in meeting its reduction commitments for 2009.

“Environmental innovation is a powerful way to create business value, and the lunch plate is an effective way to drive that message home,” said Gwen Ruta, Vice President of Corporate Partnerships at EDF. “The Low Carbon Diet is an innovation that tackles the food systems’ environmental challenges head on — improving the planet and the bottom line at the same time.  We hope that Bon Appétit’s carbon footprint reduction serves as a useful model, inspires further innovation and redefines business as usual for the food industry. ”

The featured innovations were vetted by EDF and a distinguished panel of experts from the fields of environmental science, law and finance. The final selection includes 15 innovations from around the country. Each innovation was evaluated for environmental benefits, business benefits, replicability and innovativeness.
The Innovations Review also highlights two innovations by EDF and its corporate partners: a Green Portfolio project developed by EDF and private equity firm KKR, and Climate Corps, a program that uses MBA interns to develop energy efficiency investment plans for major corporations.  The Review is part of EDF’s broader effort to foster collaboration on corporate environmental innovation through its recently launched Innovation Exchange.  Details on all the innovations, as well as multimedia clips, are at available at www.innovation.edf.org.

About Bon Appétit Management Company

Bon Appétit Management Company (www.bamco.com) is an onsite restaurant company offering full food service management to corporations, universities and specialty venues. Bon Appétit is committed to sourcing sustainable, local foods for all cafés throughout the country. A pioneer in environmentally sound sourcing policies, Bon Appétit has developed programs addressing local purchasing, the overuse of antibiotics, sustainable seafood, cage-free eggs, and most recently, the connection between food and climate change. The company has received numerous awards for its work from organizations like Seafood Choices Alliance, The Humane Society of the United States, and Food Alliance. Based in Palo Alto, CA, Bon Appétit has more than 400 cafés in 29 states, including eBay, American University and the Getty Center.

Environmental Defense Fund, a leading national nonprofit organization, represents more than 500,000 members. Since 1967, Environmental Defense Fund has linked science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships to create breakthrough solutions to the most serious environmental problems. Environmental Defense Fund has a 20 year track record of success in partnering with business. To maintain its independence and credibility, EDF accepts no money from corporate partners; generous individuals and foundations fund its work. For more information, visit www.edf.org.