At UW Food Services, we understand that the food choices we make have a lasting impact—not just on our health, but on our community and the environment. That’s why we are committed to supporting local farmers and food producers through our Farm to Campus Fresh initiative.
What is Farm to Campus Fresh?
Farm to Campus Fresh is our commitment to sourcing fresh, high-quality local ingredients whenever possible, aligning with the University of Waterloo’s Sustainability Strategy and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Across our 24+ campus locations, 34% of our food is locally sourced each week from the Elmira Produce Auction Cooperative (EPAC) in Elmira, Ontario and Green Liner Produce Ltd. in Guelph, Ontario contributing to a more sustainable and equitable food system.
As of 2024, 32.01% of our purchases are plant-based, and 32.36% fall under fair trade, local, or sustainable sourcing. Initiatives like our Eco Container program, launched in 2021 at our student residence dining halls including Claudette Millar Hall (CMH) in UWP, Village 1 (V1), and Revelation (REV), further support our commitment to sustainability.
Through partnerships with over 75 local farmers and food producers, we bring fresh, local ingredients to our kitchens where our staff makes fresh and delicious meals across campus at our 24+ eateries including our residence dining halls, cafes, and franchise locations. We also produce all grab & go sandwiches, salads, fruit cups, and sushi in-house along with our sauces, marinades, and smoked meats. This extends to our Village Bakery, where our bake shop staff make fresh, house-made bagels, pastries, and treats daily which are sent out to our many cafés and eateries on campus.
Local Partnerships & Sustainable Choices
Our commitment to local sourcing means that you’ll find products from well-known Canadian brands around campus including some of the following retailers:
- Baden Coffee Company – Fairtrade coffee, sustainably sourced from across the globe and roasted locally.
- Deanco Meats– Locally sourced and Canadian-owned poultry and meat products.
- Elmira Produce Auction Cooperative (EPAC)– Providing locally made maple syrup, fruits and vegetables.
- Four O’Clock Tea – Supplying sustainably sourced fairtrade tea!
- Gay Lea Dairy – Offering high-quality dairy products.
- Happy Planet Oat Milk – A delicious, plant-based milk alternative.
- Maple Leaf Foods – Supporting Canadian-grown meat products.
- Martin’s Family Fruit Farm– Nutritious, allergy-friendly snacks from apple sauces to apple chips all made locally in Elmira and Waterloo, Ontario.
- MadeGood Foods – Delicious allergen-friendly granola bars, crackers, cookies, and oat bars made sustainably in Toronto, Ontario.
You can also find what's in season by visiting Foodland Ontario which is a great resource for learning about which types of Ontario-grown foods are at their peak freshness by month or season. By choosing local, we not only support Canadian businesses but also help reduce our carbon footprint by minimizing food transportation distances from the farm to the UW campus!
Bringing Freshness to Campus
Initiatives like the UW Farm Market, held every fall outside the Student Life Centre, are another way we are bringing local produce to our campus community. This market features fresh, local produce and goods sourced from the Elmira Produce Auction Cooperative (EPAC), connecting our campus community with the farmers who grow our food year-round. We also source our produce from Green Liner whenever seasonal availability allows. In 2025, UW Food Services sourced an average of 44% of its food locally, reinforcing our commitment to supporting local and operating sustainably. See our Sustainability Timeline for more information!
How You Can Make a Positive Impact
Next time you visit one of our cafés, look for Farm to Campus Fresh signage and displays to identify locally sourced food options. Supporting local isn’t just about eating well—it’s about making a positive impact on our community. Together, we’re building a healthier, more sustainable campus, one meal at a time.
Thank you for choosing local with UW Food Services! Follow us on Instagram where you can see the behind-the-scenes on how we serve fresh, local produce.
