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The next generation of procurement professionals will build their programs around sustainability, says Darin Matthews, one of the nation's leading advocates of sustainable supply chain management practices and the founding chair of the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Procurement and Supply Chain Manage- ment certificate program. "Organizations realize the tremendous impact their purchasing decisions can have on the environment, the economy and definitely their bottom line," he says. Matthews, who heads up Procurement and Supply Chain Services for University of California, Santa Cruz, designed the certificate program to reflect global best practices, but oen it is UCSC out in front of the movement. He cited its community composting partnership, a sushi redis- tribution program, fair trade practices, and local spend targets as examples of how sustainability is integrated into everyday student life and the business of running the campus. The campus commits at least 25 percent of its total spend to suppliers within Santa Cruz County and is a member of the Monterey Bay Seafood watch program. Currently, 68 percent of its $10 million food procure- ment budget is spent on suppliers within a 250-mile radius. "It's fresher, it tastes better, the transportation costs are lower, and there are fewer preservatives," Growing the vision of sustainable procurement Matthews says. "It's one of several sustainable purchas- ing strategies that a leading organization should have." While director of contract- ing and procurement at Portland State University, Matthews helped establish a donation portal for the campus student food pantry that provided non-perishable food to students needing assistance. When suppliers checked on bid opportunities online, they were encour- aged to "click below" and make a donation. In his 2-1/2 years at UCSC Matthews has extended that focus to procurement decisions and increased partnerships with local orga- nizations. Along with the campus sustainability director, he's signed a safer furniture pledge requiring suppliers to meet health standards and implemented sustainability in all RFP selection criteria. "We're the first to do that— not because we have to, but because that's what we believe in." Matthews serves on the UC Procurement Leadership Darin Matthews-Provided Photo UCSC-Provided Photo Assemblymember Cabal- lero, who has long been a strong supporter of Hartnell, said "I am grateful for the support of my colleagues in the Legislature who worked together with me to bring much needed resources to the 30th Assembly District. These dollars are essential to enhancing the college's agriculture technology and nursing programs, and en- abling students to train for good paying jobs using the latest technology and state- of-the-art equipment." Funds will support essen- tial instructional equipment which will help to prepare students for the current agricultural and health care environments, both of which are saturated with technol- ogy. Upgrading programs and equipment in on-cam- pus classrooms will provide students an opportunity to learn critical skills needed to succeed in both industries. "I appreciate the leadership of the Hartnell Community College District and I look forward to working with them to provide the types of educational opportunities that could change the lives of our residents," added Caballero. education continued from page 2 Council and the UC Sustain- able Procurement Working Group. He'll be teaching Sustainable Supply Chain Strategies, a five-week evening course starting in October. Students will hear real case studies of best practices from leading organizations, including UCSC, and learn from guest speakers that are experts in the sustainable food pur- chasing field. For more information, visit www.ucsc-extension.edu.