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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Food Waste to Energy: From Pilot Scale Biogas to Grid Tied CHP on a Campus Farm
- Dickinson College (PA)
The Dickinson College Farm is culminating a multi-year project to convert campus food waste to sustainable energy through a grid-connected biogas system. Biogas is a carbon neutral, renewable alternative to …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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USC’s Single-use Plastics Elimination – Beverage Bottles Policy
- University of Southern California (CA)
The University of Southern California (USC) established the Single-use Plastics Elimination – Beverage Bottles Policy in July 2022, prohibiting the purchase or use of single-use plastic beverage products across the …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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Earth Fest
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
Earth Fest, a free and inclusive community celebration of the past, present, and future sustainability efforts in River Falls and the surrounding area. This family friendly event was held for …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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Waste Management Education and Procedural Improvements at a Residential Dining Facility
- Wake Forest University (NC)
- Harvest Table Culinary Group (PA)
Sustainability features are only as effective as their operators. While the second largest dining facility at Wake Forest hosts several sustainability features, the compost program was lacking in strength due …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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Campus foodscapes as sites of transformation: mapping policy and projects in US universities envisioning just, sustainable and healthy food systems
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
- University of Melbourne (Victoria)
Globally universities have expanded their mission beyond teaching and research: recognising their broader responsibilities to their students, communities and civic neighbours, and to sustainable operations and infrastructure. This research considers …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Publications
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Choose to Reuse
- Boston University (MA)
Boston University’s Choose to Reuse program, offered at seven retail dining concepts in the George Sherman Union, provides students staff, and faculty the choice between ordering their meal on reusable …
- Posted May 23, 2023
- Case Studies
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Cooking with Purpose – Empowering Food-insecure College Students to “Take Back Cooking” for Climate Mitigation, Nutrition and Budget Benefits!
- Appalachian State University (NC)
- AASHE (MA)
Food pantries on college campuses have a wide variety of food choices with a wide variety of cost, nutritional, and greenhouse gas impacts. In an effort to encourage food-insecure students …
- Posted May 18, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Achieving zero-waste targets: residential & retail takeout dining
- USEFULL (MA)
This is a conversation to discuss the challenges and opportunities with takeout food packaging on campus.
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Campus-Community Partnerships: Building Food Sovereignty and Fostering Collaboration
- Lafayette College (PA)
This session will explore how Lafayette College has succeeded and failed at building campus-community partnerships to address food sovereignty with an opportunity for participants to explore their own campus-community engagement …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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An Educational Program on Organic Waste Composting and Compost End Use at Kean University
- Kean University (NJ)
An institutional-wide educational and behavior change campaign was initiated in 2021 at Kean University (KU) to promote organic waste recycling and composting on campus. The program focused on three areas …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Building Social Sustainability in Food Procurement
- University of California, Los Angeles (CA)
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Nearly two and half years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, academic institutions continue to grapple with disrupted supply chains and their embedded inequities, which further exacerbated the challenging …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Engaging Students and Curricula to Create a More Sustainable and Equitable University Food System
- Naropa University (CO)
Join us for a step-by-step explanation of a curriculum-based, community development approach to creating a more sovereign, secure and sustainable food system at Naropa University. Discover how staff and faculty …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Interdisciplinary Learning Community: Sustainability and Agriculture
- County College of Morris (NJ)
An interdisciplinary approach to environmental topics, such as climate change and sustainability, helps to bridge the gap between identifying an environmental concern and implementing a societal resolution. This presentation aims …
- Posted May 17, 2023
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High Impact Practices at Bridgewater State University’s Permaculture Garden and Local Farms
- Bridgewater State University (MA)
In this presentation, faculty from the Bridgewater State University Sustainability Program share their experiences of using the permaculture garden as a tool for their teaching, research, and scholarship. The goal …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Lightning Talks: Campus Operations (Group 4)
- Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)
- Farm to Institution New England (VT)
This session consists of 3 15-minute Lightning Talk sessions related to campus operations. The Lightning Talks are: Innovations in Sustainable Procurement: A Campus Green Purchasing Guide - This session introduces …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Pigface Pancakes – Towards an Edible Campus at University of Tasmania
- University of Tasmania (TAS)
The University of Tasmania has for many years promoted community gardening and the growing of native food plants on its campuses throughout the Australian island state of Tasmania. A recent …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Playbooks for Progress: High-Impact Strategies for Climate-Smart Dining
- Stanford University (CA)
In this session, you’ll gain actionable solutions for advancing plant-forward menus through food choice architecture and preventing food waste—the top two food-related climate solutions at our disposal as leaders in …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Fair Trade and Climate Justice: How People and Planet Benefit From Fair Trade
- Fair Trade Colleges & Universities
Fair Trade Campaigns is a powerful grassroots movement mobilizing thousands of conscious consumers and fair trade advocates on campuses and in communities across the U.S. Our Fair Trade Colleges & …
- Posted May 17, 2023
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Essential Food Workers and University Purchasing Power
- Georgetown University (DC)
- University of California, Los Angeles (CA)
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Food workers are essential, yet they endure wage theft, harassment, trafficking, discrimination, and hazardous working conditions. As institutional purchasers, universities have the purchasing power to improve labor conditions within their …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Composting: Community Based Solutions to Food Waste & Climate Challenges
- University of Arizona (AZ)
Food loss and food waste are global challenges; an estimated 40% of food in the U.S. is wasted. Food waste is directly related to food insecurity, poverty, and the climate …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Greek Sustainability: Leveraging Change, Empowering Leaders
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
Students have been organizing chapter houses to host a "Green Chair" or also popularly known as "Green Greek Reps". We will share our resources, strategy, and recent academic year's impact …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Augsburg University’s Local Food Initiative: Student-Designed, Locally-Sourced
- Augsburg University (MN)
In 2020, Augsburg University’s Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship launched Augsburg Local, a campaign to leverage Augsburg University’s purchasing power to support local businesses. Purchasing at Augsburg typically takes …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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The Working Farms Fund: Partnership to Build a Sustainable Local Food System and Support a Diverse New Generation of Farmers
- Emory University (GA)
- The Conservation Fund (GA)
Emory University has partnering with the national non-profit The Conservation Fund (TCF) to support a diverse new generation of farmers in rural Georgia and help build the local food supply …
- Posted May 16, 2023
- Case Studies
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Tiffany Jurge plans Soup and Substance collaboration with SCITC
- Central Michigan University (MI)
- Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College (MI)
Central Michigan University (CMU) presents Soup and Substance events through the Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (OIDEI) for students, faculty, staff and community members. Soup and Substance events …
- Posted May 15, 2023
- Case Studies
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Soup and Substance: Anishinaabek Food Sovereignty
- Central Michigan University (MI)
- Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College (MI)
Central Michigan University (CMU) presents Soup and Substance events through the Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (OIDEI) for students, faculty, staff and community members. Soup and Substance events …
- Posted May 15, 2023
- Case Studies
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Meghan VanDamme leads composting initiative at CMU
- Central Michigan University (MI)
Meghan VanDamme and Central Sustainability collaborated with Facilities Management and CMU Residence Life to erect a compost drop-off at Northwest Apartments. The drop-off promotes sustainability by offering an opportunity for …
- Posted May 15, 2023
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Diverting Food Waste and Educating the Campus Community with Solar Powered Compost Kiosks at Illinois State University
- Illinois State University (IL)
The Illinois State University Compost Kiosks provide a model for other institutions in diverting food waste and reducing single-use plastic while educating and engaging the campus community in the act …
- Posted May 15, 2023
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Colaboration with Community garden in San Juan District
- EARTH University
With the support of a resident of the San Juan District in the Union of Cartago, Costa Rica. We have come together to develop a community garden. With the contribution …
- Posted April 24, 2023
- Photographs
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Waste Diversion at Creighton Softball Game
- Creighton University (NE)
Hattie Ames and Gabby Otero are helping Creighton fans divert their waste from the landfill.
- Posted April 21, 2023
- Photographs
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Fullerton Arboretum Fights Food Insecurity While Helping the Environment
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Fullerton Arboretum, a 26-acre botanical garden located at Cal State Fullerton, is making a difference in the campus and environment…and it all starts with fruit.
The Arboretum grows an incredible …
- Posted April 13, 2023
- Photographs
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Food Sustainability and Security
- University of South Florida (Tampa) (FL)
- University of South Florida (FL)
Concerns about population growth, human health, and environmental quality have made food sustainability and security a top priority worldwide. The goal of this program is to provide students with a …
- Posted Feb. 23, 2023
- Academic Programs
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Directory of Programs that Save Leftover Food After Events
- University of California, Merced (CA)
There has been increasing interest in programs which address leftover food at events. As the coordinator of one such program, No Food Left Behind, I receive regular inquiries from other …
- Posted Feb. 6, 2023
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Imagining the Future of Campus Food Service and Measuring Success
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Texas Woman's University (TX)
- AASHE (MA)
Food does not loom large enough in university sustainability metrics given its outsized role in achieving the SDGs. With increasing recognition that transforming food systems is critical for climate resiliency, …
- Posted Feb. 2, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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UMass Dining Carbon Rating System
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
Announced on Earth Day, 2022, and in partnership with My Emissions, UMass Dining, the nation's award winnning and largest higher education internally operated dining program, has launched an A-E carbon …
- Posted Jan. 10, 2023
- Case Studies
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Food Justice Fellowships - Rooted in Community
- Saint Mary's College of California (CA)
Food insecurity is defined as the state of being without reliable access to sufficient affordable and nutritious food. Food insecurity in the San Francisco Bay Area (and our state, country …
- Posted Sept. 20, 2022
- Case Studies
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UMass Lowell Rooftop Urban Agriculture
- University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)
Rooftop Urban Agriculture - The Office of Sustainability at University of Massachusetts Lowell has developed an innovative urban agriculture program in partnership with Mill City Grows, a local food justice …
- Posted Aug. 3, 2022
- Photographs
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USC recognized as a top performer in sustainable food and dining
- University of Southern California (CA)
USC is among the Top Performers under the Food & Dining impact area in the 2022 Sustainable Campus Index.
- Posted Aug. 3, 2022
- Photographs
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UMN Morris works with partners to launch county-wide composting program
- University of Minnesota, Morris (MN)
UMN Morris helped launch the new countywide composing program. UMN Morris hit a milestone of diverting 1 million pounds of organic material from the landfill with its onsite cold-weather system. …
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
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Teaching Kitchen Photo
- Stanford University (CA)
Stanford students learn how to create delicious, nutritious, and environmentally conscious dishes in the R&DE Teaching Kitchen at Stanford. The teaching kitchen provides cooking classes to students, staff, and faculty …
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
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NSO Stanford Dining Students
- Stanford University (CA)
Students enjoy fresh fruit and fresh air at New Student Orientation
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
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Malaysian Tofu Laksa
- Stanford University (CA)
Malaysian Tofu Laksa is one of R&DE Stanford Dining’s student favorites
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
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Jeong Kwan and her assistant Yoon Hee Kim at the O’Donohue Family Stanford Educational Farm
- Stanford University (CA)
Jeong Kwan–a world-renowned chef and Buddhist nun–teaches students, faculty, and staff about plant-forward Korean Buddhist temple cuisine at the O’Donohue Family Stanford Educational Farm, at an event hosted by the …
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
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Stanford students at R&DE Stanford Dining’s Neighborhood BBQ
- Stanford University (CA)
Students enjoy their meals outside Crothers Hall on Stanford’s campus during one of Stanford Dining’s Neighborhood BBQs, fostering community and belonging as part of the campuswide ResX initiative.
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
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Class at the O'Donohue Family Stanford Educational Farm
- Stanford University (CA)
Class at the O'Donohue Family Stanford Educational Farm
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
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Sustainable Food & Dining at Bennington College
- Bennington College (VT)
Interior and exterior views of Bennington College's Commons Dining Hall, which serves locally sourced and sustainably produced food. Also featured is the on-campus Purple Carrot Farm, which is student-led with …
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
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Cascadia Cornucopia Food Forest
- Cascadia College (WA)
The main sign and welcome space for the campus food forest. The Cascadia Cornucopia Food Forest is an open foraging and growing spot for the campus community to learn about …
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
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Sustainable Catering@Penn
- University of Pennsylvania (PA)
Sustainable Catering@Penn - A newly designed webpage at University of Pennsylvania provides search functionality for information about Penn’s Preferred Contract Caterers. Through Catering@Penn, users can now search for caterers based …
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
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Sustainable Food and Farming (Online Certificate)
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
The 15-credit Certificate in Sustainable Food and Farming is designed for adults looking to make a career change, returning Veterans, or those pursuing a lifelong interest related to food, gardening, …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
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Civic Agriculture and Food Systems (CAFS) Minor
- Virginia Tech (VA)
The Civic Agriculture and Food Systems Pathways minor embodies a commitment to developing and strengthening an economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable agriculture and food systems through building community capacity, using …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
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Sustainable Food and Farming BS
- West Virginia University (WV)
Sustainable Food and Farming is the study of relationships among organisms and habitats in agricultural ecosystems. Climate and soil properties, activities of other organisms, and management practices affect the growth …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
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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
- 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.