Two of Swarthmore’s top dining destinations have earned rave reviews for their work toward promoting the College’s ongoing sustainability efforts.

The Dining Center and Essie’s Corner were named Certified Green Restaurants by the Green Restaurant Association, an international nonprofit that advocates for environmentally friendly practices in dining. The certification awards points to eateries based on a number of categories, including food offerings, water and energy conservation, and waste-reduction initiatives.

“It took many people to make this possible, and shows our dedication to and partnership with the College,” says Assistant Director of Residential Dining Earnest Cherry, who led the green credentialing efforts on campus.

The most recent designations are a continuation of Swarthmore’s success in environmentally conscious practices: Essie Mae’s Snack Bar and the Science Center Coffee Bar earned green certification in 2021, and the College has pursued certification for Kohlberg Coffee Bar. These efforts spotlight the College’s commitment to sustainability and the well-being of its students, staff, and faculty.

“We represent Swarthmore’s sustainability efforts as a whole,” Cherry adds, pointing to initiatives like To Zero by Thirty-Five, “and we’re eager to do our part.”

The Dining Center and Essie’s Corner each earned three-star certification, and received high marks for their vegan and vegetarian menu options, energy-efficient tools and appliances, and recycling and composting efforts. They also garnered points for being close to bike racks and electric car-charging stations.

The certifications also reflect “the amount of energy and water we’re saving, and how much we cut back on waste,” says Cherry, noting that Dining will further reduce waste when it eliminates single-use containers on campus this fall.

The certification process concluded in the spring, but had been ongoing for years, Cherry says. It dovetailed with the College shifting from Sharples Dining Hall to the Dining Center in 2022 and from Essie Mae’s Snack Bar to Essie’s Corner earlier this summer.

“Dining is the heart of the community,” says Cherry. “We get to know people on a personal level. I know them by name, where they're from, what their life is like. Our employees here put a smile on the students' faces every day, and they enjoy coming to work. Their loyalty is amazing.”