Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
---|---|
Overall Score | 70.52 |
Liaison | Ruairi O'Mahony |
Submission Date | Aug. 10, 2016 |
Executive Letter | Download |
University of Massachusetts Lowell
OP-8: Sustainable Dining
Status | Score | Responsible Party |
---|---|---|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Frank
Hurley Executive Chef University Dining Services |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Part 1: Sustainable Dining Initiatives
Sustainable Dining Policy
Yes
A brief description of the sustainable dining policy:
http://www.aramark.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility/environmental-sustainability
On-Campus Sourcing
No
A brief description of the program to source food from a campus garden or farm:
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Local Community Engagement
Yes
A brief description of the farmers market, CSA or urban agriculture project:
UMass Lowell works with Mill City Grows to find solutions to food security issues in Lowell. In 2016, the Office of Sustainability and Mill City Grows began work on an urban agriculture program hosted on East Campus.
Vegan Dining Program
Yes
A brief description of the vegan dining program:
UMass Lowell Dining Services offers “Meatless Mondays,” “Farmer’s Market” meal option, an extensive salad bar, and a mobile app identifying daily menu identifying vegetarian and vegan options.
Low-Impact Dining Events
Yes
A brief description of the low impact dining events:
Dining Services offers events such as Meatless Mondays in select locations on campus. It is not offered in all locations but is available for students who make the choice.
Sustainability-Themed Meals
Yes
A brief description of the sustainability-themed meals:
Dining Services hosts at least two Farm-to-Fork events each semester.
Sustainability-Themed Outlet
Yes
A brief description of the sustainability-themed food outlet:
Cafe Solar, which is produced with 100% renewable energy and is the official sustainable coffee of UMass Lowell, has a stand alone cafe unit on south campus.
Labeling and Signage
Yes
A brief description of the sustainability labeling and signage in dining halls:
Cafe Solar is the official sustainable coffee of UMass Lowell and has signage in place at each of its locations on campus.
Outreach and Education
Yes
A brief description of the outreach efforts to support learning and research about sustainable food systems:
Dining services staff conduct regular outreach events on campus to inform the campus about sustainable food systems.
Other Initiatives
No
A brief description of the other sustainability-related dining initiatives:
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Part 2: Food and Dining Waste
Food Recovery Program
Yes
A brief description of the food recovery competition or commitment program or food waste prevention system:
Kitchen food waste, prep waste and spoilage in dining halls are composted. During the first eight months of operations, an estimated 184,000 pounds of food waste was composted. UMass Lowell also joined the Food Recovery Challenge, an initiative of the EPA that encourages businesses and institutions to reduce food waste to help preserve the environment and combat hunger. Program asks participates to increase food donations and recycling as well as find ways to reduce waste. Each member charts food waste with the goal of cutting the volume by 5% per year.
Trayless Dining and Portion Modifications
Yes
A brief description of the trayless dining or modified menu/portion program:
Dining halls have been trayless since 2007.
Food Donation
No
A brief description of the food donation program:
UMass Lowell takes part in EPA's Food Outreach Program.
Food Materials Diversion
Yes
A brief description of the food materials diversion program:
Yes, 100% of fryer oil is recycled and used for heating oil. Food waste is composted off site, a portion of which is then used on campus grounds.
Composting
Yes
A brief description of the pre-consumer composting program:
All dining locations currently compost pre- and post-consumer waste; their compost weights are regularly audited.
Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor have a post-consumer composting program?:
Yes
A brief description of the post-consumer composting program:
UMass Lowell's dining hall composting program includes food waste from food prep as well as post- consumer.
Dine-In Service Ware
Yes
A brief description of the reusable service ware program:
South Dining, University Dining Commons and Inn & Conference Center Dining all utilize reusable service-ware and run a pre and post consumer composting program.
Take-Away Materials
Yes
A brief description of the compostable containers and service ware:
Crossroads Café in University Crossing provides BPI-certified compostable containers to its customers. There is an ongoing back of house composting program ongoing, but no front of the house program currently.
Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor offer discounts or other incentives to customers who use reusable containers (e.g. mugs) instead of disposable or compostable containers in “to-go” food service operations?:
Yes
A brief description of the reusable container discount or incentives program:
Starbucks (North and South), Einstein’s Bros. Bagels (North), Crossroads Café (University Crossing) all offer discounts to customers for using reusable mugs.
Other Materials Management Initiatives
Yes
A brief description of other dining services materials management initiatives:
Campus Dish – UMass Lowell sources many foods from local farmers, growers and distributors (Pioneer Valley Grower’s Association, Lanni Orchards, Eva’s Garden); recycle at all dining locations across campus, tray less since 2007, 100% of fryer oil is recycled and used for heating oil in homeless shelters; filtered water available at hydration stations around campus, 100% recycled paper in all dining locations, green cleaning, train employees each semester on common energy and water conservation practices.
Additional information can be found at: http://umasslowell.campusdish.com/Sustainability.aspx
https://umasslowell.campusdish.com/Sustainability/WhatWeAreDoing.aspx
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
UMass Lowell Dining Services Nutritional information can be found here: http://umasslowell.campusdish.com/EatWellContent/NutritionHighlights.aspx
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.