College of Education and Behavioral Sciences News

Western Kentucky University’s Fresh Food Company has achieved 4 Star Certified Green Restaurant® status from the Green Restaurant Association.

Fresh Food Company, which became WKU’s first Green Restaurant in January 2020, earned 304.09 GreenPoints™, reflects a strong commitment to sustainability across multiple operational areas - from energy and water usage to food sourcing and waste reduction. 

This is the highest level of certification that can be achieved through the Green Restaurant Association, making it an especially big accomplishment for WKU Restaurant Group.

“Achieving 4 Star Green Restaurant certification is an incredible milestone that reflects WKU’s continued dedication to sustainability,” said Dr. Leslie North, WKU Director of Sustainability. “Our WKU Restaurant Group’s leadership in responsible sourcing, waste reduction and energy conservation shows how we can ensure every aspect of campus, even dining choices, can have a meaningful impact on our campus community and the environment. I am grateful for our partnership.”

“Reaching 4 Star Certified Green Restaurant® status has been a goal of mine since I started with the WKU Restaurant Group, so seeing Fresh Food Company reach this achievement is incredibly exciting,” said Alex Meredith, Sustainability Coordinator for WKU Restaurant Group. “It’s a big step forward, and I’m looking forward to keeping the momentum going as we find even more ways to make campus dining sustainable.”

In addition to the 4 Star certification, the restaurant earned the Sustainable Seafood Badge, which highlights the restaurant’s responsible sourcing practices. 

View the criteria met for the Sustainable Seafood badge here: Sustainable Seafood Badge Details.

They also received the 2025 Green Marketing Award out of more than 1,200 Certified Green Restaurants® and Certified Green Caterers™. 

The Green Restaurant Association noted, “Fresh Food Company is the Certified Green Restaurant® which markets its certification in the most creative and effective way.”

Contact: Alex Meredith, meredith-alexandra@aramark.com or Leslie North, leslie.north@wku.edu 

- WKU -

Western Kentucky University prides itself on positioning its students, faculty and staff for long term success. As a student-centered, applied research university, WKU helps students expand on classroom learning by integrating education with real-world applications in the communities we serve. Our hilltop campus is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was recently named by Reader’s Digest as one of the nicest towns in America, just an hour’s drive from Nashville, Tennessee.