Bon Appetit: Sustainability

At Bon Appétit we believe we must take a stand on many of the issues surrounding our food supply. We view this responsibility as a value of who we are. Our clients see us as partners in creating a better world. It is what makes us uniquely Bon Appétit.

Food Services for a Sustainable Future

We recognize the great power and importance of food. Food sustains not only our bodies but also our communities, environment, and, ultimately, our spirits. Food brings people together, creates a sense of place and a feeling of kinship.

Sustaining Your Body

Food is fuel for your body and mind. We care about what our guests put into their bodies and its effect on their sense of well being. We work hard to provide food that is fresh, seasonal and minimally processed. Fruits and vegetables purchased whole and naturally ripe contain the most nutrients and simply taste better. Meat and poultry raised without antibiotics or growth hormones are better for your body. We strive to give organic options and healthful choices. That is our goal.

Sustaining Your Community

We understand that the effects of our choices extend well beyond the walls of our cafés. The purchases we make can have a profound impact. We choose to invest in our communities by buying millions of dollars worth of products each year from local farmers and artisans.

By buying directly from the producers we can support sustainable farming practices that nourish and replenish the local land rather than stripping it. We can steer away from pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics. And, we can be sure that the profits are kept with the local grower, not a distant importer, and therefore reinvested into the community.

Sustaining Your Environment

The capacity of our planet is not limitless. We are very mindful of the impact we are making on our environment. Recycling is no longer a choice; it is a necessity. We are also making strides in the areas of composting and biodegradable disposables. Our intention is to tread lightly on our planet.

The ocean is not as inexhaustible as it once seemed. Overfishing, bycatch and habitat destruction have left 70% of the world's commercially fished species at or beyond the brink of extinction. We must not let these unsustainable practices continue. We only serve seafood purchased in accordance with the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch guidelines. An important step but not enough. To educate people beyond the reach of our cafés, we have also sponsored the making of a documentary called "Farming the Seas" which will be shown on PBS stations and at schools and museums around the world. Our rivers, lakes and seas are in dire condition and we at Bon Appétit feel the responsibility to take action to prevent crisis.

We believe that we have the power and responsibility to make a true difference.