Aramark

Collages and university student groups are not the junk-food cohort of the past. Today they expect and demand better and are in-tune with their responsibility to secure a safe future. Developing hospitality programs for post-secondary institutions is done with care and attention to each specific menu item. These refreshed menu items call for a refreshed environment to welcome students and faculty. Enriching environments and honest photography continue to be the driving force in our “people- first” mandate.

The Eat Well program was developed as a way-finding initiative to highlight better-for-you menu selections. Called-out items include food choices high fibre, fruits & vegetables, lean or plant-based proteins, low sugars, and fats. The developed icon appears on menu boards and on grab & go items offered in dining locations. Further program elements reinforce the programs message and intension.

To  showcase Aramark’s culinary testing and nutritional analysis process we developed a series of icons aimed at helping consumers make informed choices surrounding recipe and ingredient profiles. The developed system is used on dining location’s Express and Grab ‘n go items in compliance with Health Canada and Ontario Menu Labelling regulations.

A QR code leads to the comprehensive Live It Good website which explains and further breaks down each component. Like all project activity a “people-first” mandate was adhered to. Plain language, easy to spot and understand the program allows for consistent messaging. It is now a system trusted by all who frequent the dining facilities.

Adhering to and improving how and where ingredients are sourced was a logical step in the people and plant first mandate. Understanding that sourcing is in direct correlation with greenhouse gas (GHG), the Coolfood™ program was developed to raises the bar on environmental and social standards in the global supply chain.

A World Resources Institute initiative, our call was to adapt elements to make them relevant to the consumers frequenting Canadian post-secondary food facilities. Research showed that students were not only quick to adopt, over 70% were more likely to select Coolfood™ meals over conventional offerings. Reinforcing that consumers in all walks of life continue to seek transparency from their brands.

Adopting the Coolfood™ program was seen as an opportunity to take the anxiety and stress out of making sourcing and consumption choices. The program’s aim to make climate action simple and delicious was seen as a win-win for both business organizations as well as for consumers.

In concert with the global brand standards we continue to develop print, digital and out of home supports. Working with Aramark’s sustainability team we are proud of our part in communicating their commitment and updates in meeting their GHG goals. These programs prove that small changes can have big impacts.

Ok, sometimes it’s just about developing a simple, fun brand. Simple indulgences can add levity and brighten a day. Yes, the product line was developed in support of Aramark’s full mandates, but with this brand we all got to lighten the mood and make the receiving consumer’s day a little more sweet.