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Food & Dining

Introduction

Modern industrial food production often has deleterious environmental and social impacts. Institutions can use their food purchases to support their local economies; encourage safe, environmentally friendly and humane farming methods; and help eliminate unsafe working conditions and alleviate poverty for farmers. These actions help reduce environmental impacts, preserve regional farmland, improve local food security, and support fair and resilient food systems. Dining services can also support sustainable food systems by preventing food waste and diverting food materials from the waste stream, by making low impact dining options available, and by educating its customers about more sustainable options and practices.

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Student Food Security: Multi-Tiered Solutions to Reach all Food-Insecure Students

  • Northern Arizona University (AZ)
  • Sodexo USA (MD)
  • Swipe Out Hunger (CA)

Student food insecurity is a social justice issue that University and College Boards, Administrators, and Students are looking to solve. There are no silver bullet solutions, a comprehensive, multi-faceted solution …

  • Posted Dec. 4, 2019
  • Conference Presentations
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Combating Food Waste and Addressing Food Insecurity

  • Appalachian State University (NC)
  • University of the Incarnate Word (TX)
  • Utah State University (UT)

Three Universities, from three different areas of the United States, will present on how each has responded to the issue of Food Insecurity on College Campuses in unique ways. University …

  • Posted Dec. 4, 2019
  • Conference Presentations
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Action in Campus Food: Developing a Framework to Measure Progress in Campus Foodscape Transformation

  • University of Melbourne (Victoria)

This presentation will share the results of a systematic review of 23 institutions' campus food policies and projects using a dataset derived from the STARS food and dining reporting category. …

  • Posted Dec. 4, 2019
  • Conference Presentations
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Diverting Waste, Feeding Communities: The Cardinal Cupboard

  • University of Louisville (KY)

Facing the highest rates of food insecurity amongst faculty, staff, and students of the University of Louisville and large amounts of food waste from on-campus dining facilities, student leaders opened …

  • Posted Dec. 4, 2019
  • Conference Presentations
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Working Towards Carbon Neutrality in Michigan Dining: Assessing the Impact of Sustainable Mondays

  • University of Michigan (MI)

In Fall 2018, the University of Michigan publicly pledged to a carbon-neutrality initiative. This pledge addressed carbon emissions from energy production and purchasing, but did not consider Scope 3 emissions, …

  • Posted Dec. 4, 2019
  • Conference Presentations
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Mapping the Food Systems Major: A Qualitative Approach to Curriculum Mapping

  • University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)

Do you want to make curriculum mapping a more meaningful process? This session will describe a qualitative curriculum mapping approach used to review core courses in the University of Minnesota's …

  • Posted Dec. 4, 2019
  • Conference Presentations
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Foodies in Sustainability Education

  • Portland Community College (OR)

In this workshop we will connect and exchange ideas on how best to utilize food to teach sustainability across disciplines. Food has a central place in individual lives, community culture, …

  • Posted Dec. 4, 2019
  • Conference Presentations
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Aquaponics: How a Student Project led to a Sustainable Solution to Food Insecurity in the Community

  • Pittsburg State University (KS)

Students at Pittsburg State University (PSU) have made measurable success in creating a sustainable food production system on campus. This poster will focus on Students for Sustainability's (S4S) aquaponics system …

  • Posted Dec. 4, 2019
  • Conference Presentations
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MCURC: Universities Scaling Up Sustainability Together

  • The Culinary Institute of America (NY)
  • Stanford University (CA)
  • AASHE (MA)

The Menus of Change University Research Collaborative (MCURC) is a working group of scholars and campus dining leaders from colleges and universities interested in accelerating efforts to move American consumers—and …

  • Posted Nov. 13, 2019
  • Videos & Webinars
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Emma and Allison hosting the event

Sustainable tea and tea bags

  • Ohio University (OH)

Ohio University's Office of Sustainability partnered with Ohio University's Environmental Affairs Commission on student senate to host a sustainable tea and tea bag event. This event used loose leaf tea …

University of Vermont Eco-Reps Food Campaign Case Study

  • University of Vermont (VT)

The 2018-2019 professional development offering for the UVM Eco-Reps was a symposium centered around food concerns entitled Taking Root Student Symposium. Having been introduced to a wide variety of food-related …

  • Posted Sept. 24, 2019
  • Case Studies
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Campus Composting Best Practices

  • Appalachian State University (NC)
  • Princeton University (NJ)
  • University of Louisville (KY)
  • College & University Recycling Coalition (DC)

Campus Composting Best Practices: Strategies for student engagement & food waste and compostable serveware diversion

Program originally took place May 9, 2019

Presenters:

Jen Maxwell, Sustainability Programs Manager Appalachian State …

  • Posted Aug. 22, 2019
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Participants in Luther College's CSA Reimbursement Program enjoy a summer workshop about seasonal vegetables.

Luther College CSA Reimbursement Program

  • Luther College (IA)

Participants in Luther College's CSA Reimbursement Program enjoy a summer workshop about seasonal vegetables.

Summer intern Jiwon Lee '20 and horticulturist Donna Levy work in the Climate Change Demonstration Garden.

Cornell Climate Change Demonstration Garden

  • Cornell University (NY)

Climate Change Garden - The Cornell University Climate Change Garden is a permanent campus installation that demonstrates the impact of climate change on plant growth in New York state. Planning …

Students shopping at the UT Farm Stand

Good Food Purchasing Program, University of Texas at Austin

  • University of Texas at Austin (TX)

Good Food Purchasing Program - University of Texas at Austin is the first institution of higher education to participate in the Good Food Purchasing Program as a partner with the …

UMass Lowell Honors College Students tour the Urban Agriculture Greenhouse

UMass Lowell Urban Agriculture Program

  • University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)

Urban Agriculture Program - The University of Massachusetts Lowell Office of Sustainability developed an urban agriculture program in partnership with Mill City Grows, a local food justice organization. The partnership …

Bowdoin College Carbon Foodprint Dinner 2

Bowdoin College Carbon Foodprint Dinner

  • Bowdoin College (ME)

Bowdoin's student EcoReps worked with Bowdoin Dining on an educational dinner about the carbon footprint of the meal as part of International Polar Bear Day (Bowdoin's mascot is the polar …

Eat Responsibly

Students composting at dining hall

  • Butler University (IN)

Collaboration to Scale Food Waste Collection - Butler University partnered with Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis on a food waste compost collection route, making it affordable to use a large waste …

Master of Arts in Food Studies (MAFS) - MBA Dual Degree Program

  • Chatham University (PA)

Core courses provide breadth and depth in food studies, business, and sustainable business, equipping all students with a holistic understanding of food systems and business skills. All students are expected …

  • Posted July 10, 2019
  • Academic Programs
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AAS in Sustainable Brewing

  • Kalamazoo Valley Community College (MI)

This degree combines the competencies in brewing science and technology with additional coursework in the sciences, business, sustainability studies, and allied fields. The program is designed to prepare students for …

  • Posted May 29, 2019
  • Academic Programs
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AAS in Culinary Arts & Sustainable Food Systems

  • Kalamazoo Valley Community College (MI)

This program of study was developed with advisory groups of chefs, farmers, food processors/distributors and food industry entrepreneurs. Students will spend most of their time working in a real production …

  • Posted May 29, 2019
  • Academic Programs
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No Impact Meal - A More Mindful Dinner

  • Loyola University Chicago (IL)

The No Impact Meal (NIM) program is transforming our relationship with food on campus, one meal at a time. Led by a group of sustainability interns since the spring of …

  • Posted May 22, 2019
  • Videos & Webinars
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Central College Bee Campus

  • Central College (IA)
  • The Xerces Society (OR)

Central College is a leader in sustainability education, both in Iowa and the Midwest. For more than a century, Central students and staff have prioritized sustainability at the college. After …

Case Study Results Graphic

Composting at Northwestern University Norris Center

  • Northwestern University (IL)
  • Real Food Challenge (MA)
  • Compass Group (NC)

The project consists of the successful implementation of a front-of-the-house composting program in Northwestern University's Norris Center food court dining area and the coordination of a series of experiments to …

Fighting Irish, Fighting Food Waste: Converting Food Waste into Energy at Notre Dame

  • University of Notre Dame (IN)

At Notre Dame food and hospitality are integral aspects of campus culture. Over the last three years, two student-centered projects aimed at fighting food waste will allow Notre Dame to …

Student Leaders Supporting Student Success

  • University of California, Merced (CA)

The Bobcat Pantry serves as a sustainable service addressing food insecurity while combating student huger and malnourishments. The space encourages students to implement health-conscious lifestyles to further their academic success. …

The Good Store - Product Images

The Good Store

  • University of Northern British Columbia (BC)
  • Prince George Public Interest Research Group (BC)

The Good Store is a low waste shop established on the UNBC campus to provide all members of the community with access to affordable, healthy and sustainable food options. The …

BU Campus Map, Straw Usage

Fostering a Straw-Conscious University

  • Boston University (MA)

Our initiative worked to make Boston University a straw-conscious environment.
Since most recycling facilities are not equipped with the proper machinery to recycle plastic straws, we focused our campaign on …

Coffee Sticker

Dollar Coffee Club

  • University of Montana- Missoula (MT)

The intent of the Dollar Coffee Club (DCC) is to leverage the powerful appeal of one dollar coffee to incentivize customers to participate in sustainability efforts through a quid pro …

Tiger Sustainability Night - EcoRep with #LoveAMug Poster at mug giveaway

#LoveAMug: Reinvigorating a Reusable Mug Program

  • Princeton University (NJ)

In 2003, Princeton University Campus Dining (CD) introduced a 25 cent reusable mug discount in retail operations. Over the years, the program became stagnant and was applied to an average …

Food waste in biodigester

Chandler-Gilbert Community College Food Waste Recycling Project

  • Chandler-Gilbert Community College (AZ)
  • Maricopa County Community College District Office (AZ)

The CGCC Food Waste Recycling Project is a grant-funded campus-wide ongoing collaborative project that offers deep, cross-disciplinary, experiential student learning via an innovative solution for CGCC’s food and green waste. …

Katie rescuing food from the Lantern Cafe

Fill Plates, Not Landfills: Implementing the Bobcat Eats Food Waste Awareness and Prevention Program

  • University of California, Merced (CA)

The Bobcat Eats Food Waste Awareness and Prevention Program is a collaboration between the University of California, Merced (UC Merced) and the Merced County Food Bank to reduce food waste …

Eating Green Student Engagement

Eating Green

  • Harvard University (MA)

I created a guide to plant-based eating for students on Harvard's campus. Unfolding over the course of several months, this pamphlet translated into 2,000 hard copies and a digital version …

Biodiversity

STARS Report as a Framework for Campus Sustainability.

  • The University of Texas at Dallas (TX)

The Eco Rep program at the University of Texas at Dallas expanded campus sustainability efforts by using AASHE STARS reporting as a framework for new student run initiatives and projects. …

Developing, Piloting, and Factor Analysis of a Brief Survey Tool for Evaluating Food and Composting Behaviors: The Short Composting Survey

  • Central Washington University (WA)

Composting on a university campus may take a variety of forms. Sustainable approaches to waste management can be taught and supported through educational programs, peer-to-peer behavior modeling, and composting program …

The WinterGreen Project

  • University of Manitoba (MB)

Wintergreen Project aims to develop technology needed to address the Northern Food Crisis by using hydroponic technologies to grow food in a shipping container

Healthy Beverage Initiative: UBC Drinks Tap Water

  • University of British Columbia (BC)
  • University of British Columbia Okanagan (BC)

Bottled beverages are packaged in single-use plastic & often loaded with sugar. They're harmful to both our environment and our health.

UBC launched a Healthy Beverage Initiative (HBI) to encourage …

Family Meals, plated and ready for sealing

Making the Most of Meals

  • Harvard University (MA)

Harvard University Dining Services (HUDS) established a food donation program in 2014, which includes bulk donation of nutritious foods from residential dining buffets (approximately 27,000 pounds in 2017), as well …

Are estimates of food insecurity among college students accurate? Comparison of assessment protocols

  • University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)

A growing body of literature suggests that post-secondary students experience food insecurity (FI) at greater rates than the general population. However, these rates vary dramatically across institutions and studies. FI …

Food System Field Experience: STEM Identity and Change Agency for Undergraduate Sustainability Learners

  • Michigan State University (MI)
  • Oregon State University (OR)

Experiential STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning increases STEM identity and belongingness in STEM communities. Experiential food systems education affects change agency and intention to effect change. But little …

Attitudes of dining customers towards sustainability-related food values at a public University campus

  • Oregon State University (OR)
  • University of Wisconsin-Extension (WI)
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)

The plethora of alternative food labels emerging in the marketplace reflects consumer interest in informed and sustainable purchasing. However, consumers’ preferences vary with respect to the sustainability metrics represented by …

Low Carbon Footprint Dinner - Univ. of Oregon

  • University of Oregon (OR)

During Earth Week the University of Oregon hosted a "Low Carbon Footprint" dinner, featuring foods that have lower carbon emissions from production through to waste. Low Carbon Footprint options were …

Campus food

Cal Poly Earth Week Festival

  • California Polytechnic State University (CA)

Cal Poly Earth Week, hosted by Cal Poly Energy, Utilities, and Sustainability Department in collaboration with Green Campus and many other campus and community entities! See discussion section and schedule …

International Development and Food Policy (BSc)

  • University College Cork - National University of Ireland, Cork (Co. Cork)

The BSc International Development and Food Policy is the first undergraduate programme in Ireland to have a primary focus on international development, particularly on the countries of the global south. …

  • Posted May 5, 2019
  • Academic Programs
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Food Minor

  • University of Michigan (MI)

The minor is designed to provide the information and analytic skills necessary to understanding the sustainable production and consumption of food. The course work analyzes the current food system across …

  • Posted May 5, 2019
  • Academic Programs
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Food Studies Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS)

  • Syracuse University (NY)

The academic field of Food Studies trains students in the fast-changing landscape of international food policy as well as local food governance systems. The program at Syracuse University is characterized …

  • Posted May 5, 2019
  • Academic Programs
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Food Studies (MS)

  • Syracuse University (NY)

The Master of Science in Food Studies is a 36-credit hour graduate program providing students with a foundation in the political economy of food systems, including food policy, human rights, …

  • Posted May 5, 2019
  • Academic Programs
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Food Studies Minor

  • Syracuse University (NY)

Food Studies is one of the fastest-growing fields of study in North America. It has expanded to become a broad academic discipline, encompassing the study of food delivery systems, social …

  • Posted May 5, 2019
  • Academic Programs
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Food Studies (BS)

  • Syracuse University (NY)

Food Studies is one of the fastest-growing fields of study in North America. It has expanded to become a broad academic discipline, encompassing the study of food delivery systems, social …

  • Posted May 5, 2019
  • Academic Programs
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Building sustainable university-based community gardens: Volunteer perceptions of enablers and barriers to engagement and benefits received from volunteering in the Moving Feast

  • University of the Sunshine Coast
  • University of Portsmouth

Community gardens are receiving increasing attention as a source of locally available and sustainable food, and aim to increase food security. Engagement and commitment from the volunteer workforce in community …

  • Posted April 30, 2019
  • Publications
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This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.

All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.

OP 7: Food and Beverage Purchasing

OP 8: Sustainable Dining

Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.

Food & Dining Partners

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