Effort expands on Sodexo’s global commitment to promote MSC certified seafood

Partner Release

Gaithersburg, Md., April 2, 2013 — Sodexo, the leading provider of Quality of Life Services, today announces the launch of a Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified sustainable seafood program in early April. The program will commence at some of the most recognized and iconic institutions that Sodexo serves in North America.

The locations selected for Sodexo's program are in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and include: National Geographic, National Academy of Sciences, National Aquarium, The Brookings Institution, International Monetary Fund, Gannett, Marriott International, Sodexo Headquarters (Rio Café), Marymount University, The University of Mary Washington and George Mason University. The program is expected to reach more than one million consumers, and help Sodexo raise awareness about its North American commitment to seafood sustainability. It also demonstrates leadership in corporate social responsibility, and the positive role consumers can play in contributing to the health of the world’s oceans by the seafood purchasing choices they make.

Each of the participating corporate, university and public institutions obtained MSC Chain of Custody certification, a comprehensive traceability program, that assures customers the seafood can be traced all the way back through the supply chain to the fishery. In partnership with the MSC, this effort underscores Sodexo's comprehensive sustainable seafood initiative and North American commitment to phase out purchases of seafood not certified by MSC or the Global Aquaculture Alliance’s Best Aquaculture Practices.

"We have a unique opportunity to leverage the scale of our supply chain in an approach to seafood procurement that benefits consumers and communities alike," said Deborah Hecker, vice president, sustainability and corporate social responsibility, Sodexo. "The future of wild caught seafood depends on recognizing and rewarding sustainable fishing practices. This program helps our clients and consumers do that."

Sodexo's latest effort around sustainable seafood further demonstrates a commitment to actively promote nutrition health and wellness while also supporting local fishing communities and the estimated 200 million people directly or indirectly employed by the seafood industry. Equally important, it significantly contributes to ensuring the survival of ocean stocks for future generations.

"Sodexo's commitment to seafood sustainability is significant and is helping to transform the global seafood market to a more sustainable basis," said Kerry Coughlin, MSC Americas Region director. "By obtaining MSC Chain of Custody certification and displaying the MSC eco-label, Sodexo is assuring consumers the seafood they are purchasing is the seafood identified, comes from a MSC certified sustainable fishery and can be traced from their plate to that fishery."

In addition to the eleven Washington area sites, Sodexo serves more than 15 million customers daily throughout North America. Its potential for contributing to a more sustainable fishing industry is significant. It specifically calls for the sourcing of sustainable fish and seafood as part of its Better Tomorrow Plan and through its partnership with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Global Aquaculture Alliance’s Best Aquaculture Practices. Sodexo is working with its suppliers and distribution partners to phase out seafood that is not certified by one of these bodies.

In an additional step toward meeting its commitment to source sustainable seafood, Sodexo is a founding partner and Board Member of the recently launched Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative, a strategic alliance of businesses, government bodies and NGOs that will work to improve clarity and transparency around the issue of sustainable seafood.