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.
Featured Resources
Latest News from AASHE Bulletin
New Resources
Gardening with seniors: Benefits across socioeconomic status
- Furman University (SC)
Recently, researchers have become interested in the psychological benefits of engaging in nature-based activities. Thus far, research has shown that gardening can increase well-being and sense of community (Armstrong, 2000) …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Organic Recycling - It's Here!
- NatureWorks (GA)
Noting the growing success of food waste diversion and composting, NatureWorks LLC(www.natureworksllc.com) and one of its key partners (R3/Bunzl Distribution) will showcase commercial success of organic recycling (or composting) in …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Food Rescue
- Pacific University (OR)
Food Rescue is a student-initiated food donation program that works to diminish food waste and redistribute leftovers from Pacific University campus events and dining hall meals to local community shelters …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Promoting Sustainable Communities: The Randolph College Permaculture Program
- Randolph College (VA)
Randolph College has a thriving permaculture and organic garden program, well-integrated into the college curriculum and offering semester and summer internships. The garden includes an orchard of heirloom fruit and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Developing a Local Food System at Southern Illinois University
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale (IL)
If universities are to seriously seek strong overall campus sustainability, the efficiency and environmental impacts of individual campus sectors, such as resident dining, must be analyzed. At Southern Illinois University, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
UNT Dining Services: Going Green One Plate at a Time
- University of North Texas (TX)
At UNT Dining Services we understand that sustainability is a delicate balance between improving lifestyle choices and a feeling of well-being, and preserving natural resources on which we and future …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Strengthening community through partnerships around local food and sustainability
- University of Northern British Columbia (BC)
Strong communities are places where people depend upon each other and work together for the common good, where all community members are appreciated and supported (particularly the poor and underprivileged), …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Boundary Crossing, Experiential Learning, and Sustainable Agriculture at Virginia Tech
- Virginia Tech (VA)
A diverse team of faculty, staff, students, and community partners collaborated to conceptualize, develop, and propose undergraduate curriculum for a transdisciplinary and experiential-based Civic Agriculture and Food Systems (CAFS) Minor …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
WMU EcoMug: An Initiative to Reduce Disposable Cups on Campus
- Western Michigan University (MI)
Western Michigan University spends over $32,000 annually on foam cups, paper cups, and plastics lids. There are additional "upstream" environmental and energy costs associated with manufacturing these products and "downstream" …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Advancing the Sustainability of Complex Institutions: The University of British Columbia Food System Project
- The University of British Columbia (BC)
This presentation describes a multi-stakeholder, community based action research project - the University of British Columbia Food System Project (UBCFSP). This project was initiated by the UBC's Faculty of Land …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sustainable Agriculture on a Community College Campus
- College of DuPage (IL)
This presentation discusses work at a community college in Chicago's western suburbs, where we combine the interdisciplinary (English and Biology) academic study of food and agriculture with hands-on experience in …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
A Tale of Two Sustainability Coordinators: Two Models at One College
- Berea College (KY)
- Sodexo USA (MD)
Berea College hired a campus-wide Sustainability Coordinator in 2005. In response to its ongoing work with the Berea College Local Food Initiative, Sodexo hired a Sustainability Coordinator for Berea Dining …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Measuring Institutional Carbon "Foodprints"
- Johns Hopkins University (MD)
- Clean Air-Cool Planet (NH)
Amid growing concerns about climate change, colleges and universities across the country are conducting greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories in order to begin taking steps toward reducing their carbon footprint. Many …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Food Waste Tracking: The First Step Toward Food Waste Minimization
- LeanPath, Inc. (OR)
Food waste minimization is a key element of any portfolio of campus dining sustainability strategies. Food waste tracking is the first step toward minimization. This presentation will feature college and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Growing Relationships Through Composting: A University Case Study
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
The University of Washington is a public, four-year institution with a 40,000 student enrollment. The campus population also includes more than 30,000 staff. In an effort to reduce the amount …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Integrating Farm to College Efforts: Education, Policy, & Research
- Brown University (RI)
- University of California, Davis (CA)
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
At present, we stand at a critical moment as sustainable food system initiatives spread on colleges and universities across the country. From farm to college programs, fair trade & farm …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The Sustainable Agriculture Education Association: Facilitating the Teaching and Learning of Sustainable Food and Farming Systems in Higher Education
- North Carolina State University (NC)
- University of California, Davis (CA)
Sustainable agriculture as an academic discipline is an emerging field. In the past five to ten years, numerous U.S. colleges and universities have formed courses and programs dedicated to the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The Furman Sustainable Agriculture Project
- Furman University (SC)
At a small liberal arts school in upstate South Carolina, a quarter acre garden of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers is being cultivated and promises to be integral to Furman …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Assessing Sustainability in the University of Chicago Dining Halls: Food, Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- University of Chicago (IL)
Sustainability proponents are increasingly calling on academic institutions to render their food procurement practices more sustainable. "Locally produced" and "organic" are currently the only two available sustainable options, with availability …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Trayless Dining: The Triple Bottom Line Business and Social Case
- Aramark (PA)
Trayless dining is recognized as a significant opportunity to introduce sustainability into the dining stream. It represents a true triple bottom line initiative with environmental, economic, and social benefits. Yet, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Serving Sustainability to Sun Devils: ASU's Award for Ecologically Healthy Food Services
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Serving Sustainability to Sun Devils is Arizona State University's award program for ecologically healthy food services. The mission of Serving Sustainability to Sun Devils is to provide a comprehensive mechanism …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
A Comprehensive Case Study of Sustainable Dining Facilities Across Three Campuses:
- Bruner/Cott Architects (MA)
This presentation will explore in detail the sustainable and environmental dining hall and food service measures and techniques of: - the new LEED Gold certified Commons Center at Vanderbilt University …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Integration of Community and College: Farmers Market at Paul Smiths College
- Paul Smith's College of Arts & Sciences (NY)
June 30th, 2008 marks the second season of the Adirondack Farmers' Market Cooperative at the Paul Smiths College's campus, a small, rural college in upstate New York. This year, the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
How a Large Institution of Higher Learning can Impact Regional Growth on Sustainability Practices: Commercial Composting in the Pacific Northwest
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
The University of Washington is a public, four-year institution with a 40,000 student enrollment. The campus population also includes more than 30,000 faculty and staff. The Department of Housing and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Addressing Food Insecurity with Campus Gardens
- Portland Community College (OR)
Our campus community faces food and nutritional challenges like much of the nation. During this interactive case study presentation, we will share our experiences and lessons learned in growing our …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Campus Gardens & Farms: A discussion of best practices for student and faculty engagement
- Portland Community College (OR)
Sustainable agriculture on campuses in the form of farms or gardens have their own unique challenges for student and faculty engagement. During this moderated networking session we will facilitate the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Growing a Crop of 21st Century Innovators: Adapting our Learning Garden to Changing Times at Portland Community College’s Rock Creek Campus
- Portland Community College (OR)
This interactive session will provide the historical perspective of developing a large learning garden at Portland Community College’s Rock Creek Campus. The Learning Garden includes 51 raised beds, 2 acres …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Center for Organic and Sustainable Agriculture
- Alfred State College (NY)
Alfred State has established the Center for Organic and Sustainable Agriculture (COSA) to serve students, faculty, and the community through education, research, and demonstration of organic and sustainable farming practices.
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
- View more
Center For Sustainability
- California Polytechnic State University (CA)
Cal Poly's College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) manages nearly 10,000 acres of land on two campuses dedicated to instruction and research and serves as a living laboratory …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
- View more
Center for Regional Food Systems
- Michigan State University (MI)
The mission of the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems is to engage the people of Michigan, the United States and the world in applied research, education and outreach to …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
- View more
Center for Environmental Farming Systems
- North Carolina State University (NC)
CEFS develops and promotes just and equitable food and farming systems that conserve natural resources, strengthen communities, improve health outcomes, and provide economic opportunities in North Carolina and beyond.
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
- View more
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project
- Tufts University (MA)
Working with new farmers to build strong businesses, expertise in the field, and a resilient food system. Programs include farmer training, food systems development, and a World Peas food hub.
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
- View more
Agricultural Sustainability Institute
- University of California, Davis (CA)
The Agricultural Sustainability Institute at UC Davis is a group of researchers, educators, and agricultural extension professionals working to answer big questions on how to make agriculture and food systems …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
- View more
Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems
- University of California, Santa Cruz (CA)
The mission of the Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS or the Center) is to research, develop, and advance sustainable food and agricultural systems that are environmentally sound, …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
- View more
Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture Program
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
ASAP’s current mission is to build and sustain an organization that empowers the on and off campus community working to advance sustainable and organic food and farming systems in Illinois …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
- View more
Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Washington State University, Pullman (WA)
The Center has been working for two decades to bring sustainable solutions to the citizens and agricultural industry of Washington State. Its faculty and affiliates are working on exciting projects …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
- View more
AAS in Sustainable Agriculture
- Central Carolina Community College (NC)
As a pioneer in innovative curriculum programs for the community college system, CCCC scored another winning effort with the establishment of its Sustainable Agriculture program in 2002. Developed in partnership …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
AAS in Sustainable Food Systems
- Rio Salado College (AZ)
Sustainable Food Systems will show students how to identify ways to create sustainable food practices. Students will also learn about the real food movement, how food is produced and purchased, …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
AS in Sustainable Agriculture
- Santa Rosa Junior College (CA)
The Sustainable Agriculture major is designed to train farmers and gardeners in the techniques of sustainable food production. It provides a foundation in plant and soil science, integrated pest management, …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Sustainable Urban Agriculture (AS)
- San Diego City College (CA)
The Sustainable Urban Agriculture program at City College offers you a hands-on approach to becoming a professional and/or academic in the fields of farming, gardening, gardening for the culinary arts, …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Associate Degree in Farm & Food Systems
- Greenfield Community College (MA)
The Farm & Food Systems program at GCC is a Liberal Arts advising option that explores the broad field of sustainable farming and local food systems. It provides students with …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Sustainable Agriculture Technology AAS
- Triton College (IL)
Sustainable Agriculture Technology curriculum is designed to provide students the skills necessary to manage an environmentally sound and sustainable urban food production system. Graduates are qualified for numerous positions associated …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Agroecology (AS)
- Northwest College (WY)
This degree is designed for students interested in the application and integration of biological and physical sciences with sustainable crop production. Students can transfer into Crop Science or Agronomy programs …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
Agroecology (BS)
- University of Wyoming (WY)
Agroecology, the study of agricultural ecosystems, is an interdisciplinary degree program within the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management and the Department of Plant Sciences. The Bachelor of Science in …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
BA in Land, Farming & Community
- Xavier University (OH)
Students in the Land, Farming and Community major will take a wide variety of courses (in such disciplines as history, theology, biology, and English) both within the Core Curriculum and …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
BA in Sustainable Agriculture
- Sterling College (VT) (VT)
The Sterling students who get a degree in Sustainable Agriculture will learn how to build a future of small farming that doesn’t exacerbate climate change, water scarcity, or pollution. Students …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
BA in Sustainable Agriculture & Food Production
- Green Mountain College (VT)
The way humans produce food can intensify problems like global warming, water scarcity and energy shortages. Farming methods can also become part of the solution for a more habitable world. …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
BA in Sustainable Food Systems
- Sterling College (VT) (VT)
Studying sustainable food systems means taking an ecological approach to the future of food and food production. Students will examine the social, cultural, and ecological impacts of the way food …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
BS in Agriculture with Emphasis in Sustainable Agriculture
- University of Missouri (MO)
Increasingly, farmers are looking for creative ways to increase and diversify farm income, while consumers are seeking sustainably raised food produced close to home. Sustainable agriculture meets the needs of …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
BS in Agroecology
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
AgroEcology is an interdisciplinary major shared between Penn State's Departments of Crop and Soil Sciences, Entomology and Plant Pathology. While our majors are rooted in the plant sciences, they take …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Academic Programs
- View more
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
- Percent of sustainably or ethically produced food and beverage expenditures
- Percent of plant-based food expenditures
- Sustainable food and beverage purchasing inventory
- Description of the sustainable food and beverage purchasing program
- Website URL - Sustainable food and beverage purchasing
OP 8: Sustainable Dining
- Description of the farmers market, CSA or urban agriculture project
- Description of the sustainability-themed food outlet
- Description of the support for disadvantaged businesses, social enterprises, and/or local SMEs
- Description of low impact dining events and/or plant-forward options
- Description of the vegan dining program
- Description of sustainability labelling and signage in dining halls
- Description of the food recovery competition or commitment program or food waste prevention system
- Description of the trayless dining or modified menu/portion program
- Description of the food donation program
- Description of the food materials diversion program
- Description of the pre-consumer composting program
- Description of the post-consumer composting program
- Description of the reusable serviceware program
- Description of the compostable materials and serviceware program
- Description of the reusable container discount or incentives program
- Website URL - Sustainable dining programs
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.