{"id":2980,"date":"2025-04-07T21:21:05","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T21:21:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/2030districts.org\/annarbor\/?page_id=2980"},"modified":"2025-04-25T18:06:08","modified_gmt":"2025-04-25T18:06:08","slug":"food-service-business-sustainability-roadmap","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/2030districts.org\/annarbor\/foodservicebusinessgroup\/food-service-business-sustainability-roadmap\/","title":{"rendered":"Food Service Business Sustainability Roadmap"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_custom_heading text=”Food Service Business Sustainability Roadmap” google_fonts=”font_family:Inder%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”horizontal” column_element_alignment=”center” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][image_with_animation image_url=”3005″ image_size=”medium_large” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_column_text]Want to save money on your energy and water bills and wasted food costs? Interested in being part of a more resilient food system and aligning your business with customers\u2019 and employees\u2019 values? Ready to help Ann Arbor reach its net zero goals?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you’re just beginning to explore sustainability at your business or are looking to expand your efforts, the Food Service Business Sustainability Roadmap<\/strong> is here to guide you. <\/span><\/p>\n

This roadmap offers practical strategies, resources, and tools that can help you implement effective sustainable practices at your business. Start your journey toward a more sustainable future today!<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][divider line_type=”Full Width Line” line_thickness=”2″ divider_color=”accent-color”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Level 1: Modules<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n

This level<\/a> contains six informational modules to establish a baseline understanding about sustainability in the food service industry. These will help orient the audience with background knowledge about the impact of food service businesses and provide an actionable set of steps one could take to begin implementing sustainability.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Level 2: FAQs<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n

This level<\/a> is a list of frequently asked questions that restaurant and bar owners would have when implementing sustainability. These will allow management to find resources and answers to specific questions fast. The questions are organized by the six topic areas of the roadmap and include links to products, services, and resources to help tackle specific parts of sustainability.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Level 3: Repository of Resources<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n

This level<\/a> is a repository of additional resources to help food service businesses implement sustainability practices and go further in any of the topic areas covered in the roadmap. Resources include a set of checklist items that owners can incorporate into their own routines, a long-term sustainability checklist they can use to work towards larger changes, signage to guide energy conservation and waste management practices, and additional external resources.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”3006″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” img_link=”https:\/\/2030districts.org\/annarbor\/food-service-business-sustainability-roadmap-level-1″][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″][image_with_animation image_url=”3007″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” img_link=”https:\/\/2030districts.org\/annarbor\/food-service-business-sustainability-roadmap-level-2″][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30″][image_with_animation image_url=”3008″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” img_link=”https:\/\/2030districts.org\/annarbor\/food-service-business-sustainability-roadmap-level-3″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][divider line_type=”Full Width Line” line_thickness=”1″ divider_color=”accent-color” custom_height=”50″][image_with_animation image_url=”3043″ image_size=”medium_large” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][divider line_type=”Full Width Line” line_thickness=”1″ divider_color=”default” custom_height=”50″][split_line_heading animation_type=”line-reveal-by-space” font_style=”h1″ line_reveal_by_space_text_effect=”default” content_alignment=”default” mobile_content_alignment=”inherit” link_target=”_self” text_content=”Background:” font_size=”22″][\/split_line_heading][vc_column_text]Ann Arbor\/Washtenaw 2030 District enlisted a <\/span>University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability graduate student team<\/span><\/a> to develop a roadmap to help food service businesses become more sustainable as part of the student\u2019s master’s capstone project. The project builds on the Ann Arbor\/Washtenaw 2030 District\u2019s involvement in advancing the A2ZERO Plan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The team used scholarly articles, web resources from nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and industry experts, as well as surveys and interviews with local food service business owners and managers to understand the opportunities and barriers for sustainability in the industry. The team learned that time, money, access to resources, ownership for the building, and knowledge on the topic of sustainability were key barriers to food service business sustainability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Through collaboration with Azella Markgraf, Food Sustainability Coordinator at the Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovation, and interviewees, the team developed this roadmap to address these resource barriers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The roadmap is divided into three levels to address varying levels of knowledge and where people are in their sustainability journey, and covers six topical areas of food service business sustainability: food service business sustainability overview, energy efficiency and electrification, water conservation, waste management, food procurement, and employee engagement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The full report about how the project was developed can be found at the University of Michigan\u2019s Deep Blue archive, here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We invite food service business owners, managers, and employees to use as much or as little of the roadmap as they need to help them become part of a more sustainable local food system.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can contact us<\/a> if you have any questions about the roadmap or would like additional help. You are also invited to <\/span>join the Sustainable Food Business Coalition<\/span><\/a> to be part of a larger movement working towards food business sustainability in Ann Arbor.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Graduate student team:<\/b><\/p>\n