Sustainability Initiatives
We don’t just talk about sustainability - we take action. Check out some of the ways we're reducing our environmental impact and creating a positive impact on our community.
Meet Your Sustainability Champion
Our full-time on-site Marketing Manager and Sustainability Champion works directly with the culinary team, operations managers, student experience team, and sourcing partners to optimize our practices and find new ways for you to get involved.
Hi, I’m Amy Anderson!
I was raised in Asheville, North Carolina and attended Ole Miss for my undergrad studying Business Marketing. I am very excited to share my passion of Sustainability with you at the University of Mississippi! Go Rebs and Hotty Toddy!
Want to get involved? Contact me at greenwood-amy@aramark.com
More Ways to Go Green with Ole Miss Dining Services
Sip Smarter
There are hydration stations all across campus and we offer reusable water bottles with the eco kit!
Choose to ReUse
As a part of our Green Certification, we do not use styrofoam containers in our dining halls. You can take your food to go with our reusable to-go box program. You can rent your box at the RC, or you can purchase one at any of the other dining halls on campus and it's yours to keep! You can also bring the box back dirty and they'll swap it out at the register for a new one so you also don't have to do any dishes!
Green Cleaning
Ole Miss Dining sources chemicals through EcoLab, which prioritizes product chemical safety and sustainability.
Babylon Microfarms
Our Babylon Microfarms utilize hydroponics, the process of growing of plants without soil, to grow an array of greens and herbs for us to use in salads and other meals at our residential dining locations.
Food Donation
Ole Miss Dining partners with the Oxford Community Market, local pantries and shelters to donate food and grocery products to reduce food waste.
Green Restaurant Association
Rebel Market is the first Certified Green Restaurant in the state of Mississippi. We were just upgraded to a four-star certification- the highest possible achievement!
Events
Ole Miss Dining's Team host multiple sustainability-focused events each semester, such as Earth Week, Coffee to Compost, local vendor samplings, farmers’ markets, and many more.
Stay Up To Date on All Events
Showcasing Our Local Partner Relationships
Ole Miss Dining Services sources food from many local farmers, growers, and distributors. Our partners change throughout the year depending on seasonality and availability.
Home Place Pastures
Home Place Pastures in Como, Mississippi, is a family farm raising grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork through regenerative agriculture practices. Their mission is to restore the land, support animal welfare, and provide wholesome, sustainably raised food for the community.
The Oxford Community Market
The Community Market connects growers and producers with customers, delivering affordable, regionally grown and nutritious foodstuffs. The Community Market promotes better health, social awareness, and public dialogues that drive a sustainable economic system for vendors, customers, the market, and the communities we serve.
High Point Coffee
High Point Coffee is a family-owned & operated roaster, known for its high quality coffee and creative blends. The roasting facility is located in Oxford, MS where they first opened our doors in 2002. They procure fresh crop beans from 14 countries and craft each roast to perfection.
Our Local Sourcing List is Always Growing!
- Serendipity Farms- Water Valley, MS
- Fudgetown Farms- Oxford, MS
- Native Son Farm- Tupelo, MS
- Farmstead Florals- Oxford, MS
- Umble Coffee Co.- Starkville, MS
- Cometfish Sushi- Oxford, MS
- Oxsicles- Oxford, MS
- Pride of the Pond- Tunica, MS
- Pizza Forno- Oxford, MS
- Mardis Honey- Taylor, MS
- Hotbox Hibachi- Oxford, MS
- Shadrach's Coffee Co.- Oxford, MS
- The Tea- Oxford, MS
- G&G Fry Co.- Holly Springs, MS
- Magnolia Coffee Co.- Water Valley, MS
- Bussin Wings and Thai- Oxford, MS
- Blenz Bowls- Oxford, MS
- Lunchbox Oxford- Oxford, MS
- Lowtide Poke- Oxford, MS
- Exploradora Coffee Co.- Oxford, MS
- Manila Skillet- Oxford, MS
- Afrissippi- Oxford, MS
- Gimbia's Kitchen- Oxford, MS
- Live Again Events- Oxford, MS
Your Choices Can Make a Daily Impact
Our goal is to make it easy to offer you nutritious, environmentally, and socially conscious options wherever possible.
Working Toward Zero Waste
We proudly support the sustainability goals of the University of Mississippi. Here are a few active initiatives.
Robust Recycling
We recycle cardboard, metal, paper, glass, and accepted plastic products, and we recycle uncommon items—such as batteries and printer cartridges—wherever possible.
Collaborative Composting
We work with the Office of Sustainability to collect organic materials—including food waste and compostable service items such as napkins and wooden stir sticks—to be composted into useable, nutrient-rich soil amendments.
Proactive Prevention
We use tracking and forecasting tools to proactively identify food waste trends in order to alter our preparation accordingly.
