Arizona State University
IN-3: Innovation 3

Arizona State University’s (ASU) Engrained Café offers diner’s dishes made from organic produce, locally and campus harvested ingredients, and free-range proteins in an environment that utilizes sustainable materials including bamboo, recycled glass tiles, and seats made from woven, vehicle seatbelts. Following a 2007 fire that caused severe damage to the 54-year-old Memorial Union (MU) building on the ASU Tempe campus, the Engrained vision emerged. After the blaze and a five-month renovation, the MU garnered a LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. In its newly remodeled space, ASU intended to attract a sustainability minded food/dining services contractor with a request for proposal that included four, key-focus areas: purchase and transport of food; preparation; disposal; and innovation and education. ASU teamed up with the ARAMARK Corporation to realize Engrained, a 92-thousand-square-foot, environmentally conscious restaurant. The establishment operates under ARAMARK’s “6 Intentions” mission: Radius 150; Waste Not Want Not; Buy Smart; Wall to Wall; Around the Community; and Daily Commute. The Engrained website features full descriptions of each of the 6 Intentions, which are highlighted here: 1)Radius 150: Use local and seasonal produce harvested within a 150-mile radius of the restaurant 2)Waste Not Want Not: Avert and divert waste to area landfills, including the reduction of bulk purchasing and reusing 100% of used cooking oil for biodiesel 3)Buy Smart: Erich local communities and engage in the purchase of ethical products such as organic uniforms and 100% unbleached napkins 4)Wall to Wall: Create healthy surroundings by using locally harvested Arizona sandstone and paints that have low, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) 5)Around the Community: Connect with local farmers and chefs 6)Daily Commute: Exercise responsible transportation practices with that reduce fuel usage and emissions