| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 45.25 |
| Liaison | David Tedder |
| Submission Date | Oct. 16, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Kentucky
IN-2: Innovation 2
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Shane
Tedder Sustainability Coordinator Office oF Sustainability |
Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
The University of Kentucky Food Connection serves farmers, food producers, students, and consumers by developing solutions and creative strategies for a vibrant, healthy, sustainable food economy in Kentucky.
The Food Connection supports our land-grant mission through three key areas of work: interdisciplinary and innovative instruction, high-impact service and outreach, and cutting edge research on foods and food systems. Our work aims to enhance student experience through enhancing the on-campus dining experience, and through enriched learning environments that set students well along their professional pathways within food systems and beyond.
The overarching goal of our work is to enhance the production, distribution and consumption of healthful Kentucky grown and produced food by members of our on- and off-campus communities, thereby enriching our Kentucky economy, community, and environment. We engage community partners (farmers, political leaders, service providers), cooperative extension, and faculty in shaping and implementing our goals and programs and work to facilitate collaboration and development across all sectors of our food system.
The Food Connection is an unprecedented university-business-community partnership between the University of Kentucky and UK Dining (Aramark). We are housed in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. The Food Connection was created to leverage the innovation and research of UK and the market position of Aramark with support from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky farmers, community partners and consumers to grow a vibrant food economy in Kentucky.
A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):
The Food Connection has already started publishing papers relative to food systems in the Commonwealth and has launched a Student Opportunity Grant program.
Publications: http://foodconnection.ca.uky.edu/issues-research
Grant Program: http://foodconnection.ca.uky.edu/content/student-opportunity-grants
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of five):
| Yes or No | |
| Curriculum | Yes |
| Research | Yes |
| Campus Engagement | Yes |
| Public Engagement | Yes |
| Air & Climate | --- |
| Buildings | --- |
| Dining Services | Yes |
| Energy | --- |
| Grounds | --- |
| Purchasing | --- |
| Transportation | --- |
| Waste | --- |
| Water | --- |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | --- |
| Diversity & Affordability | --- |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | --- |
| Investment | --- |
Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
The website URL where information about the innovation is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.