Local Suppliers
Muhlenberg Dining takes pride in providing a nutritionally balanced, appealing selection of food to meet varying lifestyles of our customers through unique and engaging experiences. Sustainable dining is an important component to that balance. We believe in enriching the quality of life for Muhlenberg by connecting with the traditions of local agriculture. We support local farms and strive to educate our clients and customers on the benefits of nutritionally dense food that is good for both us and the environment.
Common Market - Philadelphia
Since the spring of 2015, Muhlenberg has partnered with Common Market, a Philadelphia based food distributor that connects wholesale customers to farmers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Common Market sources local produce, meat and dairy offerings from Lehigh, Bucks and Berks counties. By sourcing our food locally, Muhlenberg Dining reduces transportation expenses and our environmental footprint. We are excited about this new partnership because it means even more local produce available at all of the dining locations on campus. Our 2018 local impact is listed as 18 local farms supported, 6,096 acres of sustainable family farmland supported, and 6,786 lbs of local food purchased.
Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative
In Summer 2013, we embarked on a mission to further expand our procurement of local produce. Thanks to the tireless efforts of several individuals, led by Muhlenberg’s Executive Chefs, a new partnership was born with Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative. LFFC is a non-profit, organic farmers' cooperative of 75 farmers in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (approximately 70 miles from Muhlenberg). Each week LFFC delivers a fresh bounty of produce, most of which is picked the day prior to delivery.
Butter Valley Harvest
Butter Valley Harvest located in Bally, PA, is just 15 miles from Muhlenberg College. Butter Valley Harvest is our exclusive provider of fresh, hydroponically grown basil. Our team regularly visits the farm and educates students on the process of hydroponics.
Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Guidelines
Muhlenberg Dining is committed supporting the Seafood Watch guidelines outlined by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The Seafood Watch program “helps consumers and businesses make choices for healthy oceans.” Following their guidelines, we are helping to make an impact on our future and our customers’ future.
Fair Trade Coffee
We only offer Fair Trade certified coffee on campus. Whether you’re grabbing a quick pick-me-up at Java Joe or enjoying an after-dinner cup of coffee at a catered event, all of our brands (Starbucks, Seattle’s Best and Peet's Coffee) meet agreed environmental, labor and developmental standards set forth by Fair Trade USA.
Balford Farms - Burlington, NJ
Balford provides Muhlenberg with an array of dairy products as they specialize in providing customized distribution services to foodservice and retail customers throughout the Northeast. Since the founding of Balford in 1892, they have created a respectable reputation and are proud of their ability to deliver quality, value, and service to their customers, including Muhlenberg!
Vincent Farms
Vincent Farms is a fifth generation Sussex County operation provides millions of families with fresh fruits and vegetables along the eastern seaboard. Their main products are sweet corn, watermelons, tomatoes, bell peppers, pumpkins, and cantaloupes. In addition to servicing institutions like Muhlenberg, they delivered two million boxes of food to families suffering from food insecurity throughout the pandemic through the Farmers to Families Food Box Program.
Santa Sweets, NJ
Muhlenberg College is lucky to obtain tomatoes from Santa Sweets, a family owned, third generation farm. They specialize in full-flavored grape and vine ripe tomatoes and are located in Cedarville, New Jersey.
Flaim Farms, NJ
Flaim Farms, located in Vineland, New Jersey, provides Muhlenberg College with a variety of vegetables. They are multi-generational and have been in the farming industry since 1934. An additional bonus is that they are GAP certified, which is a voluntary certification program which audits and verifies quality food safety practices with the intention of ensuring food quality and safety.
Fungified Farms, PA
Fungified Farm is a small family-owned farm in Montgomery County which grows delicious gourmet Oyster, Lion’s Mane, Pioppino and other exotic mushrooms. They use organic medium and source thier material locally and never use chemicals or pesticides.
Twin Maple Farms - Bath PA
Twin Maple Farms is a third and fourth-generation potato, vegetable, and grain farm owned and operated located in East Allen Township. They are is one of only three remaining commercial potato producers in Northampton County.