On Thursday, May 9th, over 200 students, faculty, and staff from all corners of the University gathered for Notre Dame’s inaugural Sustainability Celebration to honor the collective achievements of campus sustainability champions and recognize external partners who are leaders in their respective fields.
Among lively conversations and foods selected with sustainability in mind, the true highlight of the evening's festivities included a ceremony to recognize partners as part of the newly revamped External Partnership Sustainability Award. This year, the award program was shifted to more fully recognize the holistic nature of sustainability work, keeping in mind the three sustainability pillars: ecological, human, and economic health. Procurement Services and Notre Dame Sustainability presented upcycled slate roof tile plaques to five deserving organizations. The awardees were as follows:
Pure Green Farms received the Resilience & Climate Impact Reduction Award. Pure Green Farms is a greenhouse in South Bend that uses hydroponic growing techniques—a type of horticulture where crops are grown without soil in a water-based mineral solution. This creative approach to agriculture can inspire other organizations to consider alternative farming practices in order to increase food system resilience.
McCain Foods received the Food Production Innovation Award. McCain serves as a core partner for supplying potato products to dining halls and dining locations all across campus. In addition to being a long-standing supplier, McCain has shown a demonstrated commitment to setting relevant and realistic sustainability goals that have a positive impact on both the environment and on how their business operates. Particularly, McCain’s dedication to efficient operations, in addition to reducing CO2 emissions, enhancing soil structure, and improving water-use efficiency through regenerative agricultural practices, demonstrates a forward-thinking and proactive approach to environmental stewardship that aligns with the University’s strategic framework.
Importin’ Joe’s Ethiopian Coffee received the Small Business & Diverse Supplier Excellence Award. Importin’ Joe’s has been aligned with Notre Dame from its inception, when Joseph Luten began the small business with just an idea. The success of Importin' Joe's can be attributed to the amazing ability to cultivate deep ties with multiple programs and departments at the University.
Crossroads Solar received the Human Rights & Social Responsibility Award and the Resilience & Climate Impact Reduction Award. Crossroads is a local solar panel producer, exemplifying a commitment to both people and the planet. Employing a workforce consisting entirely of returning citizens, Crossroads’ mission of “Changing lives and the planet one panel at a time” aligns with the University’s strategic framework. The partnership between Notre Dame and Crossroads Solar has enabled both to continue to foster stewardship with the expansion of our renewable energy portfolio and promotion of the common good in our local community.
Cultivate Food Rescue was recognized as the 2024 Sustainability Partner of the Year. Cultivate has a deep understanding of the needs of the local community, particularly in the area of food insecurity. By rescuing excess food and redistributing it to those in need, Cultivate has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to sustainability through stewardship practices and community welfare. Not only are children in St. Joseph County fed, but that food is also kept out of landfills.
Attendees of the event also viewed highlights of campus sustainability milestones, elevating how employees working in various areas across campus have partnered to care for Our Common Home. In closing the award ceremony, Senior Director of Sustainability Geory Kurtzhals noted that highlighting so many food partners was not a coincidence. In the last year, Notre Dame has begun a new phase of strategic sustainability planning, starting with the topic of food & dining alongside University Enterprises and Events. “Each of us is deeply connected to food," Kurtzhals remarked. "Many topics of sustainability — from waste to greenhouse gas emissions — intersect in this area of focus. Working with our partners in UEE to address food systems on campus has the potential for an incredible impact.”
To learn more about food’s impact on sustainability, see Notre Dame Sustainability’s food resource page.
Originally published by at green.nd.edu on May 17, 2024.