Marta Mittermaier, May's Green Hero

May’s Green Hero is Marta Mittermaier, the Food Stores services manager at Michigan State University. Marta’s work with the Michigan Beef Program and her overall enthusiasm for making MSU a “greener” campus make her the perfect recipient for the Green Hero award.

The Michigan Beef Program focuses on connecting the Animal Science Department at MSU with Culinary Services and Food Store Services to conduct research on raising cattle on campus and creating a healthier, more sustainable process for harvesting beef. The program is growing with more than 70 new steers headed to campus this year. Marta believes the research completed by the Animal Science Department for the Michigan Beef Program will positively change the process of harvesting beef forever.

Marta contributes to the Michigan Beef Program in several ways; from getting processors involved on a small scale to establishing relationships with food harvesters and heading packaging initiatives. She has also been the lead advocate for connecting the Culinary Services team with the Animal Science Department. Together, all parties involved have been very successful in creating and researching new sustainable initiatives.

What’s Marta’s favorite part of her job?

“Working with all of the people; including the customers, students, guests, clients and outside vendors. With these contacts, I utilize problem solving and strategy development techniques to ensure the success that we deliver with our team in a timely manner.”

Marta’s hard work and determination to the Michigan Beef Program and her role as the Food Store services manger make her a great role model at MSU and of course, this month’s Green Hero.