Sunday, June 7, 2009

Welcome to Cal Foodies!

Q. What is Cal Dining’s role in the food vs. sustainability debate?

A. Cal Dining’s strong efforts to become more sustainable fit under larger long term campus’ goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Under the Cal Climate Action Partnership Cal Dining has committed to a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions on campus to 1990 levels by 2014. In order to help meet this goal and provide the highest quality, tastiest food for students, Cal Dining has taken several measures:

A. All dining commons are certified green businesses

B. In 2006, Crossroads became the site of the first ever certified organic salad bar on a college campus. Today all DC salad bars are certified 100% organic with vegan and vegetarian options.

C. Cal Dining is committed to purchasing only local and in-season fresh vegetables and fruit. For this reason, there are no strawberries in the winter!


According to the 2008 Campus Sustainability Report:“Cal Dining has formed an alliance with Buy Fresh Buy Local to purchase at least 10%…local produce…and up to 60% of local in-season produce is produced within a 16 mile radius. In fact, 18.9% of Cal Dining’s total purchases were sustainable – either local, organic, fair trade, or humane.” Current examples include the cage-free eggs served at breakfast and late night.




D. In 2000, Cal Dining began composting 100% of its leftover food. The food waste from the green bins is trucked to Vacaville. There it's turned into soil to grow plants and vegetables in a 3-month process.

E. In 2006, Cal Dining began offering 100% compostable and biodegradable take-out containers and cups.

F. In 2007, Cal Dining began a partnership with Blue Sky Bio-Fuels to collect and recycle 100% of the used oil and grease. Its now used to power Oakland Unified School busses. All DCs have a grease bin or barrel on their loading dock for this purpose.

Cal Dining is always seeking ways to reduce its waste size and increase its sustainability. Ideas and suggestions are welcome!

Email: CalDSEC@gmail.com

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