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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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Plant Pathology MS

  • West Virginia University (WV)

The Plant Pathology graduate program is ideal for students who desire a career in plant health, food security or the environment. Graduates will be prepared to be leaders and productive …

  • Posted June 10, 2022
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Crop Management Minor

  • Cornell University (NY)

The minor enables students with majors in fields such as applied economics and management, communication, ESS, IARD and sociology to gain technical and scientific knowledge for careers in areas such …

  • Posted June 10, 2022
  • Academic Programs
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Sustainable Food Production Certificate

  • Missouri State University (MO)

This certificate provides information to grow plant-based produce for human consumption using sustainable cropping system practices. Students who complete this certificate will obtain fundamental knowledge of successful plant production systems …

  • Posted June 10, 2022
  • Academic Programs
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MS in Environmental Health Science Food Safety Management Track

  • University of Sharjah (Sharjah)

The Department of Environmental Health Science has launched its graduate program, Master of Science in Environmental Health, in Fall 2020-2021 after receiving its initial accreditation from UAE Ministry of Education. …

  • Posted June 10, 2022
  • Academic Programs
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Master of Agriculture and Environment

  • University of Sydney (NSW)

The Master of Agriculture and Environment trains students to solve the big challenges in the world: food security, climate change, and management of carbon, water and the environment. With lots …

  • Posted June 10, 2022
  • Academic Programs
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Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Major (B.A.)

  • University of New Hampshire (NH)

This B.A. degree program is ideal for students interested in developing a broad base of knowledge and experience in modern agricultural and food systems with the flexibility to take courses …

  • Posted June 10, 2022
  • Academic Programs
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Applied Local Food System Minor

  • Butler University (IN)

The Applied Local Food System (ALFS) minor and concentration is a truly cross-disciplinary program where students, instructors, community internship host sites, and community members learn through collaboration. As a cohort, …

  • Posted May 23, 2022
  • Academic Programs
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Feeding the camels

We Feed Aggie Animals

  • Texas A&M University (TX)
  • Chartwells Higher Education (NY)

Texas A&M Aggie Dining launched a new "We Feed Aggie Animals" food waste initiative to enhance goals of eliminating food waste while supporting the campus community. Starting in January 2022, …

Evaluating Food Packaging Waste in Schools: A Systematic Literature Review

  • University of California, Berkeley (CA)

Public schools in the U.S. generate about 14,500 tons of municipal solid waste daily, and approximately 42% of that is food packaging generated by school foodservice, contributing significantly to the …

Food sustainability perception at universities: Education and demographic features effects

  • Università degli Studi di Torino
  • Università degli Studi di Palermo

The 2030 Agenda of the United Nations merged in 17 goals the strong need to change the pattern of human life on the planet in a path of strengthening sustainability …

Development of the University Food Environment Assessment (Uni-Food) Tool and Process to Benchmark the Healthiness, Equity, and Environmental Sustainability of University Food Environments

  • Monash University (VIC)
  • University of Sydney (NSW)
  • Deakin University
  • University of Melbourne (Victoria)
  • University of Wollongong (New South Wales)
  • University of Tasmania (TAS)
  • Flinders University (South Australia)

Globally, there is increasing interest in monitoring actions to create healthy, equitable and environmentally sustainable food environments. Currently, there is a lack of detailed tools for monitoring and benchmarking university …

Learning from the Dirt: Initiating university food gardens as a cross-disciplinary tertiary teaching tool

  • Macquarie University (NSW)

Food gardens are an underdeveloped resource for teaching and research in Australian universities. While some campuses have food or botanical gardens, outside the biological or physical sciences food growing is …

Information Disclosure and Climate-Friendly Consumption: Assessing the Impact of Carbon Labelling at a University Dining Hall

  • University of California, Berkeley (CA)

Global dietary patterns are increasingly reliant on animal products, which are highly carbon intensive and significantly contribute to climate change. While transitioning towards plant-based diets is regarded as an important …

Contactless Food Box Deliveries: Driving Down Food Insecurity

  • University of California, Merced (CA)

The University of California, Merced (UC Merced) launched the Contactless Food Box Delivery Program in December 2020 which continues to this day. 5-10 boxes are delivered every week to those …

Washington and Lee Quick Hits: Sustainability Leadership Trip Explores Local Food

  • Washington and Lee University (VA)

Washington and Lee University takes student leaders in sustainability on a trip to explore local foods and dining waste. It features the students visiting the campus's local garden that composts …

  • Posted May 19, 2022
  • Videos & Webinars
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Students’ knowledge and expectations about sustainable food systems in higher education

  • University of Kassel
  • Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
  • University of Copenhagen
  • Szkoła Główna Gospodarstwa Wiejskiego (Warsaw)
  • ISARA Agro School for Life
  • Eesti Maaülikool, EMÜ
  • FH Münster
  • University of Gastronomic Sciences (Piedmont)

To clarify needs and requests of the young generation to the contemporary and future education on food systems, this paper aims to examine the following issues: students’ background knowledge, students’ …

The Perceived Importance and Intended Purchasing Patterns of Sustainable Foods in Australian University Students

  • Western Sydney University (NSW)
  • University of Tasmania (TAS)

Although there has been considerable research on consumers’ opinions about sustainable foods and purchasing behaviors, the experience of university students remains unclear. This study aims to characterize university students’ perceptions …

Higher education institutions, SDG2 and agri-food sustainability: lessons from Chulalongkorn University and Thailand

  • Chulalongkorn University

This paper examines higher education efforts linking United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and agri-food system sustainability given reports of stagnant movement for SDG2 in Southeast Asia and lack of …

A comprehensive approach for the feasibility assessment of on-campus food waste composting

  • American University of Sharjah
  • German Jordanian University

Food waste management is increasingly emphasized globally due to its economic and environmental impacts and the strategic transformation towards sustainability. This can be observed from the increasing number of Zero …

Integration of food waste composting and vegetable gardens in a university campus

  • University of A Coruña (a Coruña)

Local composting (household, community and small scale applications) is considered a sustainable option for bio-waste recovery and is receiving increasing demand from society. Higher education institutions are no exception, but …

Reducing the environmental impact of food service in universities using life cycle assessment

  • Eckerd College (FL)

This study aims to use life cycle assessment to determine the environmental impact of food purchases at a small, liberal arts college. The authors also use the results to develop …

From tensions to transformation: Teaching food systems in a graduate dietetics course

  • University of Toronto (ON)

Dietitians are deeply embedded within food systems, so food systems concepts are becoming an essential component of dietetic education in Canada. Yet how can we, as educators, better prepare future …

A Discussion About Environmental Justice in Vermont

  • University of Vermont (VT)

Project Green Schools was delighted to host A Discussion About Environmental Justice in Vermont in partnership with Vermont House Speaker, Conor Kennedy, Shelburne Farms, VT FEED, Hunger Free Vermont, VEEP, …

  • Posted May 9, 2022
  • Videos & Webinars
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BC Dining Waste Sorting Game on the Quad for Green Week

Boston College Green Week: BC Dining Hosts Events to Promote Sustainability Initiatives

  • Boston College (MA)

Each year, to celebrate Earth Day, Boston College clubs and organizations collaborate to host Green Week. With different events, pop-ups, and educational resources, students are able to see all of …

sustainNU Hosts Reuse & Repair Fair

  • Northwestern University (IL)

Northwestern's Office of Sustainability hosted a Repair and Reuse Fair featuring a variety of on-campus and local vendors, including a local bike shop, clothing mending organization, tool library, zero-waste small …

CFR 7/22 Higher Education Webinar: Campus Sustainability and Climate Change Mitigation

  • Mount Holyoke College (MA)

V.S. “Raghu” Raghavan, director of sustainability and associate director of the Miller Worley Center for the Environment at Mount Holyoke College, discusses actions campuses can take toward greater sustainability and …

  • Posted May 2, 2022
  • Videos & Webinars
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As part of JMU's Greening Your Event Program, organizers for the annual School of Integrated Sciences Senior Symposium selected a catering menu that supports their commitment to climate action.

Earth Conscious Menu at JMU Senior Symposium Event

  • James Madison University (VA)

On Earth Day, students in JMU's School of Integrated Sciences presented their work at the annual Senior Symposium. This year, the SIS Senior Symposium was recognized by JMU's Institute for …

JMU Geography Students Celebrate 10 Years of Gardening at Local Elementary School

JMU Geography Students Celebrate 10 Years of Gardening at Local Elementary School

  • James Madison University (VA)

JMU Geography faculty and students celebrated Earth Day with students from an elementary school in Harrisonburg, Virginia as a continuation of 10 years of gardening together. Dr. Amy Goodall and …

Queens College Student Association and Mangia Fresca showcase new food biodegradable/compostable food containers

Queens College Reduces Single-Use Plastics In Our Dining Halls

  • City University of New York, Queens College (NY)

Queens College, a college within the City University of New York system, recently launched an initiative to reduce single-use plastics in our campus dining halls. Our food servicer, Mangia Fresca, …

A Food-Themed Cross-Disciplinary Faculty-Staff Learning Community Enriches Place-Based Experiential Learning Curricula

  • Butler University (IN)
  • Indiana University Indianapolis (IN)
  • Indiana University

This document contains instructional resources to facilitate an 8-month Faculty-Staff Learning Community (FSLC) focused on learning and discussion to support the creation of campus farm-situated place-based experiential learning (PBEL) lessons …

  • Posted April 25, 2022
  • Course Materials
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Neumann University Earth Day Mass

Neumann University Earth Day Events

  • Neumann University (PA)

Neumann University's Earth Day events started with a mass outside in the Rose Garden. We also had a demonstration of mat weaving recycling plastic bags to give to homeless people …

  • Posted April 25, 2022
  • Photographs
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Sport Goals Are Sustainably Goals

  • University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)

The University of Tennessee Knoxville's football stadium has a capacity of 102k fans. With the amount of fans each game brings, there is bound to be a lot of waste, …

  • Posted April 18, 2022
  • Photographs
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On-site testing of new waste bin signage at UT Austin.

Creating Effective Waste Bin Signage

  • University of Texas at Austin (TX)

A University of Texas at Austin Zero Waste Working Group used a comprehensive process including signage studies, waste composition data, and a progression of testing to design a new campus-wide …

  • Posted March 10, 2022
  • Case Studies
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EPA P3 Funded Project to Build App to Address Food Waste and Insecurity on College Campuses

  • Baldwin Wallace University (OH)
  • AASHE (MA)

Food waste and insecurity are significant issues with the national average of food insecurity standing at approximately 28% on college campuses. Our student population matches that figure based on a …

  • Posted Feb. 17, 2022
  • Videos & Webinars
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Reusable Container Return Signage

Williams College Reusable To-Go Ware Case Study

  • Williams College (MA)

This reusable container program was rolled out when students returned to campus in the Fall of 2020 and was proposed with both sustainability and cost savings in mind. What differentiates …

Zero Waste Networking Meeting

  • Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)

This is a meetup for all students, staff, companies, and professionals that are working on campus Zero Waste efforts. Whether you're helping your campus achieve Zero Waste goals, or focusing …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Fostering a Collaborative Work Environment for Food Sustainability

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)

This session hopes to encourage higher education institutions to incorporate a collaborative lens for new sustainability initiatives in order to address student turnover, communication challenges, and partnerships between student leaders …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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How Fair Trade Campuses are Collaborating to Amplify Their Impact

  • University at Albany (NY)
  • University of California, Riverside (CA)
  • 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 Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Amplifying Our Voices: Aligning Food Procurement Standards in a New Era

  • Real Food Challenge (AZ)

Anchors in Action (AiA) alliance is a national cross-sector partnership among Center for Good Food Purchasing, Health Care Without Harm, and Real Food Challenge. Together these groups represent hospitals, school …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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What the Fork: A Case Study in Bioplastics

  • University of Arizona (AZ)

The University of Arizona Compost Cats was founded in 2011 by a small group of students with a mission to divert food waste from the Student Unions away from local …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Conducting Campus Dining Operations Successfully in the Middle of a Pandemic

  • Mount Holyoke College (MA)

Mount Holyoke College started tracking food waste with the Leanpath food waste prevention system in October of 2019. With the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic in early 2020 the …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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A Tectonic Shift in Dining Services: Brandeis' New Metrics for Advancing Sustainability Through Food

  • Brandeis University (MA)
  • Sodexo USA (MD)

In the year leading up to the covid-19 crisis, Brandeis University was busy preparing an RFP for a new dining vendor. This presented a pivotal opportunity to incorporate sustainability in …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Fun with Food Systems: Creative Ways to Increase Food Sovereignty and Build Community Remotely

  • Portland Community College (OR)

Food shortages skyrocketed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and community college students were notably affected. Normal campus supports such as in-person food pantries, learning gardens, and our campus …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Assessing Food Security in Higher Education

  • Arizona State University (AZ)
  • Michigan State University (MI)

Food security exists when all people in a community, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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A Zero Waste Campus Is Possible

  • Post-Landfill Action Network (NH)

In this workshop we will facilitate a discussion around how students can lead specific efforts to solve waste issues on their campuses. We start with a short presentation on the …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Implementation of a Single-Use Plastics Ban: Navigating Contracts, Procurement, and Outreach

  • University of California, Office of the President (CA)

In 2020, the UC system passed a single-use plastics policy that aims to greatly reduce plastics on campuses and health systems. The policy went into effect in 2021, starting with …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Food Waste and Food Insecurity: A Multidimensional Approach With Three Pillars of Sustainability

  • University of Kentucky (KY)

Food insecurity, a growing concern due to unsustainable and unjust food systems, has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic whereas food waste issues remained prevalent. The pandemic has disproportionately affected …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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The Carbon and Nitrogen Footprint of Food

  • Stanford University (CA)
  • University of New Hampshire (NH)

Food purchasing can be a significant component of campus carbon and nitrogen footprints. SIMAP (unhsimap.org) is a web-based campus footprint tool that calculates the carbon and nitrogen emissions from food …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Expanding Sustainability: Using Food Procurement to Help Poultry Workers (through a new consortium)

  • Georgetown University (DC)
  • University of California, Office of the President (CA)
  • University of Michigan (MI)

Many colleges and universities are working on sustainable procurement goals, but how many of us have looked at social sustainability and the impact of our procurement on workers? During the …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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Analyzing the University of Oregon's 30 Years of Detailed Data: Where We've Been and What's Next

  • University of Oregon (OR)

Analyzing nearly 30 years of University of Oregon's solid waste data reveals changes in behaviors and material streams. Specific policy changes are reflected in the waste streams too. We also …

  • Posted Jan. 21, 2022
  • Conference Presentations
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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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