Catering@Penn

As part of Penn Procurement Services’ ongoing commitment to sustainability, diversity, and inclusion, a comprehensive strategic-sourcing initiative resulted in an updated portfolio of Preferred Contract Caterers. In alignment with University priorities, key award criteria included sustainability, supplier diversity, utilization of local food sources, and an assessment of each supplier’s ability to provide and serve high-quality food safely and in a cost-competitive manner.

Catering@Penn has been developed to encourage visitors to search for providers based on any combination of criteria such as cuisine type, service offerings, and geographic location.  Importantly, Procurement Services worked closely with Penn Sustainability to conveniently provide information about participating suppliers’ capabilities to service Penn at various levels of “green” requirements.  The online tool also allows individuals to easily seek diverse suppliers. Penn’s buyers are encouraged to use the site to explore options that embrace and support Penn’s goals of sustainability and economic inclusion

Included among those supplier choices is Penn’s strategic preferred caterer, Bon Appétit. Bon Appétit continues to work with Penn to drive meaningful impact that aligns with the University’s established priorities.

While it is expected that purchasers will use the Preferred Contract Caterers whenever possible, many of the small providers such as pizza shops, bagel and doughnut bakeries, specialties shops, etc. are still available in Penn Marketplace as Approved Suppliers.  As with using any Approved Supplier, bidding is required on purchases that exceed the $10,000 threshold.

In terms of environmental sustainability, the University has developed tiered capabilities for each supplier. This includes four levels with Level 4 being the most environmentally sustainable. The levels are defined as per the chart below.

To ensure that environmentally sustainable service is provided, please specify the requirement at the time of order.

The University of Pennsylvania does not have a liquor license. Therefore, the host of an event must provide their own wine & spirits, and it must be purchased within Pennsylvania at a Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board store or from Specialized Wine & Spirits. Only Approved Caterers with liquor liability insurance are permitted to provide bar service and serve alcohol at events on campus.

Note: Catering with servers and/or bartenders should have separate lines on the Purchase Order to segregate the costs of the servers/bartenders (using object codes 5319 or 5339) from the costs of the food and alcohol (using object code 5214).