Our Standards
RISD Dining is an ingredient-guided, self-operated dining program that prides itself on striving to give each guest an exceptional experience. We support local food interests and provide mentoring to those who wish to reflect our goals of preserving natural resources, supporting community businesses and endeavoring to maintain stewardship of the Earth and the gifts it provides for future generations.
Culinary Standards
1. Menus are created with seasonally inspired foods that are authentic, simple and delicious.
2. Foods from local sources (farms, dairies, bakeries, etc.) are given priority consideration.
3. We are committed to an ever-increasing use of organic and sustainable products.
4. House-made non-commercially prepared foods are served at all times.
5. We are working towards minimizing high-fructose corn syrup, trans fats and MSG in all preparations and purchased products.
6. We are committed to culturally authentic flavors in all ethnic recipes.
7. We serve ‘naturally’ raised and 100% Angus all beef burgers in our facilities.
8. We continue the process of eliminating meats treated with growth hormones and antibiotics.
9. We are committed to serving high-quality, flavorful vegan and vegetarian options.
10. Allergens such as gluten, lactose, soy and fish are clearly labeled in our dining facilities.
11. All dining facilities except for the Jolly Roger Café are nut-free.
12. We prepare all foods as close to consumption as operationally possible, with a preference to just-in-time cooking.
13. Signature desserts are baked from scratch.
14. We favor serving complex carbohydrates as suites to the menu choices.
Ingredients
naturally raised beef – no antibiotics, no growth hormones, sustainably raised, farm to fork
• Wolfe’s Neck Farms burgers (same as Whole Foods), Braveheart and local farms – premiere entrées
all-natural chicken – no antibiotics, cage-free, fed on a vegetarian diet
• Wellington Farms (Western Massachusetts) and local farms – premiere entrées
roast and deli turkey – cooperatively raised and exceptional sustainable practices for plant production
• Michigan Turkey
spices
• McCormick - traceable to the farm of origin
canned beans
• Furmano’s – all natural and low sodium garbanzo, pinto, kidney and black beans
organic canned tomatoes • Christina's (California)
vegan pasta and many filled pastas
• Carla’s (Connecticut)
organic tofu
• Vermont Soy
new sugar for vegan desserts – naturally filtered
fryer oil – expeller pressed canola, no trans fats
local and organic products
• Farm Fresh – local and sustainably raised beef, pork and seafood, produce, honey and artisan cheeses
• Rhody Fresh – eggs
• Hand fruit, either locally sourced in season or sourced through our organic produce purveyor
Beverage Program
coffee – all coffee is Fair Trade, several venues have Organic also and we support the Rainforest Alliance
• Omar Coffee (Connecticut)
milk
• Rhody Fresh – local milk co-op (no BGH)
• Vermont Soy – organic and sustainable soy milk
juice
• Florida’s Best, orange juice co-op
soda
• Al’s Soda (Connecticut)
some local production
some naturally sweetened (cane sugar) sodas
naturally flavored waters (sugar free)
water – ‘Native’ water out of the Berkshires, in biodegradable bottles
Locally Grown
Blossom Trail Orchards, Smithfield, RI – local fresh-sliced apples for desserts
Jaswell Farms, Smithfield, RI – fresh apple cider, honey, apples, seasonal vegetables
Barden Orchards, Smithfield, RI – local fruit and seasonal vegetables
Cedar Edge Farm, Johnston, RI – local organic produce
Absalona Greenhouse, Foster, RI – local hydroponic greens and herbs
Hill Orchard, Smithfield, RI – local fruit and seasonal vegetables
Locally Packed
Porino’s, Central Falls, RI – manufacturer and packer of salad dressings
Calise Bakery, Lincoln, RI – local baker of breads and rolls
Graziano’s Sausage, Providence, RI – fresh Italian sausage
Venda Ravioli, Providence, RI – manufacturer and packer of fresh pasta
Other Locally Manufactured Products
Old Neighborhood deli meats (Massachusetts)
Iggy’s Bread (Massachusetts)