LINC Foods and Gonzaga University: A Case Study

The Challenge

Students at Gonzaga University are demanding more local food options and greater visibility into the sources of supply. In response, the University established aggressive goals with its dining services contract operator (Sodexo) to increase purchases of sustainably grown food in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

Currently, demand is greater than supply, making it difficult to meet purchasing targets. Increasing the number of local suppliers will help increase supply, but this brings additional challenges for Sodexo-Gonzaga, including identifying qualified suppliers, managing multiple orders and paying multiple invoices.

The Players

LINC Foods is a farmer-owned cooperative focused on building a regional, sustainable food system by linking local farmers to new markets in the Inland Northwest. LINC uses Local Orbit’s tools for suppliers to effectively manage and scale their businesses. They are passionate about growing and expanding their business and sharing their quality products with other local businesses. Recently, LINC has expanded into wholesale distribution, including working with Sodexo at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA.

Local Orbit is the supply chain platform for people who are creating a new, connected food economy. Local Orbit provides software and services enable businesses to buy, sell and distribute local food through shorter, transparent supply chains.

Sodexo-Gonzaga University Dining Services runs the dining services at Gonzaga University. They serve approximately 2600 students on meal plans across multiple campus locations, which include a deli, diner, vegetarian fare and cuisine from around the world. Faculty, staff and students not on meals plans can also purchase food throughout the dining locations.

Charlie’s Produce supplies a broad range of produce that services an area that covers Northern Idaho, Northeastern Oregon, Montana and Eastern Washington. Charlie’s is committed to supporting local producers and works with LINC to help increase the amount of local produce they offer.

The Solution

Sodexo-Gonzaga was already ordering some local produce from Charlie’s, but wanted to also order local products directly from LINC’s farmers. LINC was able to leverage an existing relationship with Charlie’s to cross-dock (deliver) orders through to Sodexo-Gonzaga.

LINC provides a vetted and consolidated source of local produce with transparent producer stories, growing methods and locations.

Local Orbit provides order aggregation across the multiple growers in LINCs network for efficient order processing and fulfillment.

Charlie’s uses its existing transportation network to provide an extra service to Sodexo-Gonzaga. Charlie’s is also able to generate additional revenue by providing delivery for LINC orders.

University Purchasers

Supply Chain Partners

Farmers

%

Increase in Sales

Here’s How it Works

Sodexo-Gonzaga places an order through LINC’s Local Orbit ordering portal. LINC then invoices Charlie’s for the order and cross-docks the order through Charlie’s, which then invoices Sodexo-Gonzaga with a cross-dock fee included for their service.

Action

As a result of this partnership, Sodexo-Gonzaga was able to begin ordering local produce quickly and easily.

Local Orbit simplifies local procurement for Sodexo-Gonzaga by providing a streamlined ordering process with access to all of LINC’s producers, with increased tracking, traceability and transparency throughout the supply chain.

 

Visible Results

Local Orbit provides Sodexo-Gonzaga with access to both real time and historic data about their local food procurement. This allows them to track their progress as they increase their local food purchases and share these successes – and their community impact – with students and University stakeholders.

And Gonzaga students are more satisfied because they’re eating more local food.

 

Growth

LINC has been able to grow its wholesale business and expand into new sales channels, while maintaining the ability to track products directly from the point of origin to the final customer. This relationship has also benefitted the producers of local foods in the Spokane area who sell product through LINC Foods.

Charlie’s Produce also earns additional revenue, while fulfilling its mission to support local producers.

As a result of this successful partnership, three additional Sodexo operated, university dining services locations have started ordering from LINC as well. This relationship has resulted in 25% increase in business for LINC and its producers.

 

Impact

LINC has been able to grow its wholesale business and expand into new sales channels, while maintaining the ability to track products directly from the point of origin to the final customer. This relationship has also benefitted the producers of local foods in the Spokane area who sell product through LINC Foods.

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