New Roots Institute is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering the next generation with the knowledge and training needed to end factory farming and build a just, sustainable food system for all. Factory farming has devastating consequences for people, animals, and the planet—but together, we can create a better future.

Through interactive lessons in high schools and colleges, we spark critical thinking and dynamic discussions on how industrial animal agriculture intersects with pressing global issues—such as climate change, environmental sustainability, animal welfare, human rights, and public health.

For students eager to take their learning further, our leadership development programs provide fellowships that explore both the impacts and solutions to factory farming. Fellows gain hands-on training in effective communication, advocacy, and leadership. With our continued support, alumni go on to inspire and empower others, driving meaningful change in their communities and advancing our shared mission of ending factory farming.

Products/Services: Classroom Education and Leadership Development Program 

Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/newrootsinstitute/posts/?feedView=all

Follow Us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newrootsinstitute/?hl=en

Fischer Farms Natural Foods processes 50 beef and 100 hogs each week to supply restaurants and universities, including Indiana University, Butler University, Rose-Hulman and others. We operate our cattle farm and work with neighboring farms to raise cattle with the same genetics and feed program to raise sustainable, highest quality beef and pork. We deliver across the Midwest & South. In addition, we've been leading a USDA Climate-Smart project.

Products/Services: Beef, Pork, Turkey, Syrup

Follow Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FischerFarmsIN

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fischer-farms-natural-foods-01011a278/

Contact Us: dave@ffnatural.com

Gavin Orchards is a medium sized farm located in Western Michigan.  We are on the west end of what they call the "Ridge" which is an area noted for producing a large amount of apples and peaches in Michigan.  We are third generation growers.  Growing fruit is considered a "lifestyle" with working around weather events to keep a crop clean from disease and insect damage. We take great pride in producing and grading a quality products.

Products/Services: Commercial growing and packing of fruits and vegetables.

Follow Us on Facebook & Instagram: gavinorchards

Contact Us: https://www.gavinorchards.com/contact

The National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS) was founded in 1958 by a group of college and university foodservice professionals from across the United States. Since its inception, NACUFS has focused on its mission to support and promote excellence in collegiate dining by providing members with the programs and resources they need to excel, from benchmarking and best practices to educational programming and professional networking. 

NACUFS institutional members range from private colleges to large public universities, including two-year and four-year institutions, spanning the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and beyond. Industry members include food and equipment manufacturers, distributors, brokers, foodservice support companies, councils, boards, trade associations, advisory commissions and other professional groups. For more information, visit NACUFS.org.

Products/Services: Association membership, tradeshows, conferences 

Follow Us on Instagram: @NACUFS

Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nacufs/

Contact Us: https://www.nacufs.org/Contact-Us

We exist to be of service to people and the planet.  We manufacture compostable and reusable foodservice and packaging products and give 25% of our profits to social and environmental organizations to further their work in creating a better world.

We are privately owned and operated and only make compostable products.

Products/Services: Certified compostable foodservice ware

Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-centric

Follow Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorldCentric/

Follow Us on Instagram: @worldcentric

Contact Us: https://www.worldcentric.com/company/contact-us/

Refugee Garden Initiatives (RGI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit rooted in Southeast Michigan, founded by a refugee for refugees. We empower refugee communities through food, resources, and storytelling, with a focus on growing culturally appropriate foods using sustainable, regenerative practices. For many refugees, maintaining a traditional diet is essential to health and healing—our bodies are accustomed to specific ancestral foods, and nutrient-poor or culturally disconnected food options can contribute to diet-related health issues. RGI works to educate institutions about the importance of culturally responsive food procurement. Through our farm program, we provide fresh, meaningful produce while supporting refugee employment, food sovereignty, and local economic participation.

Products/Services: Culturally appropriate foods and empowerment program to help refugees thrive 

Follow Us on Instagram: Refugee Garden Initiatives

Contact Us: admin@refugeegardeninitiatives.org

The Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (SPLC) is a membership-based non-profit that leads a global community of purchasers, suppliers, advocates, and experts dedicated to driving positive impact through the power of procurement. Our mission is to leverage the purchasing decisions and processes of organizations to drive positive social, environmental, and economic impacts. We emphasize using procurement as a strategic tool to promote sustainability, equity, and ethical practices while creating value for businesses and communities. SPLC connects members directly to sustainable procurement expertise and has a proven track record of supporting hundreds of organizations as they design and execute meaningful sustainable procurement strategies. 

Products/Services: Strategic sustainable procurement coaching and guidance

Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sustainable-purchasing-leadership-council/

Contact Us: info@sustainablepurchasing.org

Palm-to-Palm is an intergenerational organization dedicated to ending the exploitation of people and wildlife in tropical regions by forming coalitions - with educational and other institutions - to raise awareness and avoid the use of palm oil in foods and other consumer products.

Products: We certify educational and corporate institutions as palm oil reduced, collaborating to decrease procurement of palm oil containing products and support action mitigating palm oil issues, social and environmental. We also host various educational programs and events on palm oil issues. 

Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/palm-to-palm

Contact Us: palmtopalmreduced@gmail.com

Dogfish Packaging is a food service packaging company that takes a collaborative approach to solving the unique and individual needs of our partners.

Products/Services: Custom Molded Fiber Dining Packaging

Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dogfish-packaging-llc/

Contact Us: logan@dogfishpackaging.com

Food Gatherers/We rescue local food and leverage state and national food resources for hunger relief. We lead a network of hunger relief providers and engage the public in the fight against hunger. We create and sustain innovative new food programs in response to emerging needs. We recognize that hunger will not be solved through the provision of food alone, so we advocate for policies and system changes to create an equitable food system.

Products/Services: Non-Profit/Food Bank/Food Rescue

Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/food-gatherers

Follow Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foodgatherers/

MSU’s Center for Regional Food Systems envisions a thriving economy, equity, and sustainability for Michigan, the country, and the planet through food systems rooted in local regions and centered on Good Food: food that is healthy, green, fair, and affordable. Our mission is to engage the people of Michigan, the United States and the world in applied research, education and outreach to develop regionally integrated, sustainable food systems. Our team is made up of outreach specialists, faculty, and administrative staff based in the Department of Community Sustainability in Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Members of our team are recognized as leaders and innovators in developing healthy, green, fair, and affordable food systems in Michigan and nationwide.

Products/ Services: We join in MSU’s legacy of applied research, education, and outreach. We do this by catalyzing collaboration and fostering innovation among the diverse range of people, processes, and places involved in regional food systems. Working in local, state, national, and global spheres, our projects span from farm to fork, including production, processing, distribution, policy, access and more. We believe in collective impact: the idea that complex social problems are best solved when organizations in diverse sectors actively commit to a common agenda. To this end, we function as a collective impact “backbone organization,” convening partners across the state to promote food that is healthy, green, fair and affordable.

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/msucrfs/

Follow us on Facebook & Instagram: @MSUCRFS

Contact Us: Crfs@msu.edu

The MSU Student Organic Farm is a 15-acre, certified organic year-round teaching and production farm. It offers an immersive, hands-on farming experience for undergraduate crew members, participants of the Organic Farmer Training Program, and volunteers. The farm also collaborates with MSU faculty to offer courses in organic farming, internships, interdisciplinary experiential educational activities, and research opportunities.

The MSU Student Organic Farm is housed in the Culinary Division of Student Life and Engagement at Michigan State University.

Products/ Services: Certified organic produce

Better Choices 4U is a locally owned vending services company providing state-of-the-art machines, great products, and outstanding customer service. We distribute locally made delicious products to promote small businesses while also minimizing our carbon footprint.  Our single high-tech machine can replace two older vending solutions while only using a fraction of the energy, thus freeing up space and saving money.  Our remote monitoring allows us to provide just in time deliveries to minimize waste while keeping stock levels high.  Imagine one unit providing fresh brownies, hummus, sandwiches, protein enhancers, energy drinks, gluten free, and more.  This is available now with voice support and ADA accessibility for all to enjoy.  Our machines and services cost nothing but provide much in return.  All forms of payment accepted including mobile and tap.  Give your students, staff, and customers better snacks, better service, and better machines with Better Choices 4U. 

About Our Company

In addition to providing great products and services to consumers, our company aims to provide mentoring and employment opportunities for college students.  Providing tutelage in customer service, inventory management, and logistics are teachable skills that can be later transferred into a multitude of industries.

Products: State of the art vending machine services for fresh food, snacks, and drinks.

Contact Us: betterchoices4u.net/#contact 

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) supports learners and learning in Michigan. Within the Office of Nutrition Services at MDE, the Farm to Program team engages in grantmaking, provides training opportunities, develops resources, and networks with key stakeholders to improve access to and knowledge of local foods for children that participate in Child Nutrition Programs at schools, childcare, and community feeding sites in Michigan.

Products: Government services

Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/michigan-department-of-education

Contact Us: MDE-FarmToProgram@michigan.gov

ProVeg International is a food awareness organisation working to transform the global food system.

ProVeg has received the United Nations’ Momentum for Change Award and works closely with key UN food and environment agencies. We have observer status with the UNFCCC, the IPCC, and the CBD, special consultative status with ECOSOC, and are accredited for UNEA.

Products: Innovation, Corporate and Institutional Engagement, Policy and Advocacy, Movement Building, Public Engagement and Media

Michigan Dining is comprised of twelve on-campus cafés and seven markets, seven residential dining halls, the Michigan Bakery and the Michigan Catering unit. Our emphasis is on creative, healthy and nutritious foods, international cuisines and sustainability throughout all dining operations. 

At Michigan Dining, we’re dedicated to fostering an inclusive and enriching space at our table that nourishes the campus community’s well-being, promotes a sense of belonging, and encourages personal growth through global cuisine and education. 

At Michigan Dining, we aspire to be more than a place to eat; we aim to be a place of enrichment, connection, and transformation. Together, we will build a dining program that reflects the values and aspirations of our diverse and dynamic college community, promoting well-being, inclusion, and a better future for all. 

Products/Services: Dining hall and takeaway food service

Contact Us: https://dining.umich.edu/about-us/contacts/

The Office of Campus Sustainability (OCS) serves as a focal point for sustainable campus operations.

OCS is part of Planet Blue, a university-wide initiative to promote sustainability in all aspects of U-M’s operations, academics, research, student life, healthcare, and more.

We welcome everyone’s involvement in helping to make the campus where we live, work and play more sustainable.

Products/ Services:

• Lead, facilitate, and support operational sustainability programs and initiatives on the Ann Arbor campus, and facilitate the institutionalization of best practices in sustainability across academic and research units, auxiliary units, and student groups.

• Provide technical and consultative guidance for operational sustainability on campus, including strategic planning, operational programming, and related campus-wide education and engagement.

• Track and report progress toward U-M’s sustainability goals, especially the 2025 sustainability goals. 

• Communicate with the campus and local community to increase awareness and engagement among staff, students, and faculty⁠—with a focus on high-quality operational sustainability programs and building a culture of sustainability on campus.

Contact Us: https://ocs.umich.edu/about/contact/

College students and staff are experiencing food insecurity at alarming rates. The Maize and Blue Cupboard is here to provide an immediate and comprehensive response for the U-M community. By offering resources, educational opportunities, compassionate support and more, we help students develop the skills to make informed decisions. 

Our Mission: To ensure members of the University of Michigan community—whether on a tight budget or physically restrained from getting to a grocery store—receive equitable access to healthy, nutritious, and nourishing food and the ability to prepare it for themselves or others. 

Products/Services: Campus Food Bank

Contact Us: https://mbc.studentlife.umich.edu/contact/

The President’s Advisory Committee on Labor Standards and Human Rights is appointed by the President to provide advice concerning University policies and procedures to address labor issues in the production of U of M goods (items sold with the University of Michigan’s name, logos, or other symbols). The Committee includes students, faculty, and staff and reports its recommendations to the central administration. 

Products/Services: This committee advises the University concerning policies and practices to ensure that corporations engaged in the manufacture of licensed goods, bearing the University of Michigan name and/or logos, are not engaged in unlawful or unconscionable labor practices. Specifically this year, the committee is instructed to address the following:

• Role of the Advisory Committee on Labor Standards and Human Rights:  Monitor code enforcement and promote University leadership in corporate citizenship with respect to fair labor practices, human rights, and sustainability in its licensing operations;

• Research and education:  Leverage the resources of the University and other sources of expertise to advance understanding of the issues involved in globalization and labor and to inform decision-making by the University; promote education, scholarship, and campus discourse about current issues in fairness and human rights in international labor, in collaboration with appropriate academic units;

• Operational leadership:  Promote U-M’s leadership in pursuing fair labor practices and human rights in licensing operations and provide recommendations regarding the U-M’s continued and/or increased participation with partner organizations on programs related to strengthening code compliance through the licensing process;

• Code of conduct for labor standards:  Make recommendations regarding any potential changes to the University’s code of conduct for licensees, as well as recommendations pursuant to enforcing the code;

• Monitoring efforts and complaint response:  Participate in monitoring compliance organizations with which the University is affiliated; assess concerns about licensees raised by these organizations or through other channels, and recommend appropriate University actions in response as necessary.