Sustainable Dining

Local Vendor Relationships

University Dining Services is committed to fostering relationships with local businesses and farms and helping to grow the local economy. Every year we increase the amount of local vendors we purchase from. Currently, 5.3% of the food we purchase annually comes from Whatcom County farms. An additional 34% of our food purchases are from local Bellingham businesses and other Washington State vendors. That's almost 40% of our food expenditure that is funneled back into the Washington State economy.

Local Whatcom County Vendors

Tony's Coffee (Bellingham, WA)

Tony's Coffee is served in three cafés on campus: Tony's Coffee Haggard Hall, The Underground Coffeehouse and Rock's Edge Café. It is Fair Trade Certified, Organic and Shade Grown. This means that you can enjoy your cup of coffee while knowing that nothing has been exploited along the way.

WasaBee Sushi (Bellingham, WA)

Made fresh daily right in downtown Bellingham. Dining Services introduced WasaBee Sushi into the Viking Union Market, Miller Market and The Atrium in Fall 2009. It has been wildly popular amongst the campus community, far surpassing anyone's expectations.

Rocket Donuts (Bellingham, WA)

The 2008-2009 academic term has marked the second year of University Dining Services relationship with Rocket Donuts. All donuts and brownies and most of the muffins served in on-campus cafés and markets are purchased from Rocket Donuts. They are another one of our downtown Bellingham vendors that make and deliver all products fresh daily.

Erin Bakers Wholesome Baked Goods (Bellingham, WA)

Baker's Breakfast Cookies are available in most cafés and markets on campus. They are made locally, taste great and are good for you

Edaleen Dairy (Lynden, WA)

Edaleen Dairy is a family-owned farm located just north of Bellingham in Lynden, WA. Below are some quick facts about the use of Edaleen Dairy products on campus:

All fluid dairy served on campus comes from Edaleen Dairy. This includes milk served in the resident dining commons, sold in campus markets and milk used to prepare espresso beverages at all cafés on-campus.
Purchases from Edaleen Dairy alone account for over 5% of total food purchases made by University Dining Services annually!
Edaleen Dairy products travel just 20 miles to our loading docks!
Edaleen Dairy does not treat their cows with the rBST* growth hormone

Bellewood Acres (Lynden, WA)

Bellewood Acres Apples are sustainably grown right here in Whatcom County. Bellewood Acres' growing practices are certified by Food Alliance and are Salmon Safe. Due to seasonality, products are available primarily early fall through early-winter. When available, cafés and markets on campus sell several varieties of apples as well as fresh pressed apple cider. Resident dining commons also serve Bellewood Apples.

Other Local & Regional Vendors

In addition to local Whatcom County Vendors, University Dining Services purchases from several Seattle-area based companies. Cookies for our retail cafés and markets are provided to us from Cougar Mountain Cookies and bagels and Rice Krispie treats from Mostly Muffins.

Through our regional wholesalers Sysco of Seattle and Duck Delivery Produce, we are able to procure locally grown produce when in season as well as Northwest raised meat and poultry products.

Certified Products

Fair Trade Coffee

All Tony's, Starbucks and Seattle's Best coffee served on campus is 100% Fair Trade Certified by TransFairUSA. This includes all coffee sold in our cafés and markets and in Viking and Fairhaven Commons. This certification empowers farmers to lift themselves out of poverty by paying them fair wage, teaching them sustainable growing methods and business skills, and investing in their communities.

Food Alliance

Whenever possible, we purchase foods and/or ingredients that meet or exceed standards set by the Food Alliance. Food Alliance provides independent, third-party certification that farmers have met strict standards by conserving natural resources and wildlife habitats, reducing pesticide use, and providing safe and fair working conditions. In our retail cafés and markets we offer bagels made with Food Alliance certified Shepherd's Grain flour and locally grown Food Alliance certified Bellewood Acres apples in retail and resident dining.

Seafood Watch

Our commitment to preserve healthy oceans is evidenced by our participation in Seafood Watch, a program of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and part of Seafood Choices Alliance. This enables us to serve seafood that is the most plentiful, and safe from mercury or PCB contamination.