Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 60.35
Liaison Cody Friend
Submission Date May 6, 2024

STARS v2.2

University of Nebraska at Omaha
OP-8: Sustainable Dining

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.68 / 2.00 A.T. Miller
Chief Diversity Officer
Office of Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Sustainable dining initiatives

Local community engagement

Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor host a farmers market, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery program, or urban agriculture project, or support such a program in the local community?:
Yes

A brief description of the farmers market, CSA or urban agriculture project:
The University partners with Big Muddy Urban Farm as well as Wenninghoff's Farmer's Market to offer CSA to faculty, staff, and students. https://www.unomaha.edu/community-engagement-center/news/community-supported-agriculture.php

Sustainability-themed outlet

Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor host a sustainability-themed food outlet on-site, either independently or in partnership with a contractor or retailer?:
No

A brief description of the sustainability-themed food outlet:
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Inclusive and local sourcing

Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor support disadvantaged businesses, social enterprises, and/or local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through its food and beverage purchasing?:
Yes

A brief description of the support for disadvantaged businesses, social enterprises, and/or local SMEs:
Through its sustainable procurement program the food services contractor, Sodexo, works with local providers and minority and women-owned businesses

Estimated percentage of total food and beverage expenditures on products from disadvantaged businesses, social enterprises, and/or local SMEs:
5

Low-impact dining

Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor host low impact dining events or promote plant-forward options?:
No

A brief description of the low impact dining events and/or plant-forward options:
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Vegan dining program 

Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor have a vegan dining program that makes diverse, complete-protein vegan options available to every member of the campus community at every meal?:
Yes

A brief description of the vegan dining program:
Within the dining areas managed by UNO, vegetarian options are available at every meal. Vegan and other dietary restrictions options are available upon request.
https://www.unomaha.edu/milo-bail-student-center/food-services-and-catering/mbsc-food-court.php#options
https://www.unomaha.edu/sustainability/dining-food-services.php

Labelling and signage 

Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor inform customers about low impact food choices and sustainability practices through labelling and signage in dining halls?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability labelling and signage in dining halls:
Containers, flatware & paper goods used by UNO Food Services are either compostable, biodegradable PLA, cornstarch based or recycled paper materials, all of which are labeled.

Composting signage and information is available within our Milo Bail Student Center dining area.
https://www.unomaha.edu/news/2021/08/compost-is-coming-to-campus.php

Part 2. Food waste minimization and recovery

Food recovery program

Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor participate in a competition or commitment program and/or use a food waste prevention system to track and improve its food management practices?:
No

A brief description of the food recovery competition or commitment program or food waste prevention system:
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Trayless dining and portion modifications 

Has the institution or its primary dining services contractor implemented trayless dining (in which trays are removed from or not available in dining halls) and/or modified menus/portions to reduce post-consumer food waste?:
Yes

A brief description of the trayless dining or modified menu/portion program:
The Milo Bail food court operates on trayless dining

Food donation 

Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor donate food that would otherwise go to waste to feed people?:
Yes

A brief description of the food donation program:
UNO Food Services & Catering:
Works with the student organization, Every Bite Counts, to donate leftover catering food and Eat-Fit-Go meals to a local nonprofit that works with homeless and at-risk youth. This program has been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://www.unomaha.edu/sustainability/every-bite-counts.php

Food materials diversion 

Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor divert food materials from the landfill, incinerator or sewer for animal feed or industrial uses?:
Yes

A brief description of the food materials diversion program:
All dining areas at UNO are composting their food waste materials in the food prep areas. At Milo Bail Student Center, compost bins are available front of house for dining area users.
https://www.unomaha.edu/sustainability/dining-food-services.php


UNO Food Services & Catering, Scott Dining, & Baxter Arena all recycle their spent cooking oil to local companies for processing (either as animal feed or fuel).

Composting 

Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor have a pre-consumer composting program?:
Yes

A brief description of the pre-consumer composting program:
All dining areas at UNO are composting their food waste materials in the food prep areas.
https://www.unomaha.edu/sustainability/dining-food-services.php

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:
At Milo Bail Student Center, compost bins are available front of house for dining area users.
https://www.unomaha.edu/sustainability/dining-food-services.php

Dine-in service ware 

Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor utilize reusable service ware for “dine in” meals?:
Yes

A brief description of the reusable service ware program:
Scott Dining (Scott Housing Food Provider):
All serviceware used is reusable (buffet-style facility): plates, bowls, glasses/mugs/cups, silverware.

Baxter Arena:
Silverware, china, and glasswares used for various catering events.

Take-away materials 

Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor provide reusable and/or third party certified compostable containers and service ware for “to-go” meals (in conjunction with an on-site composting program)?:
Yes

A brief description of the compostable containers and service ware:
UNO Food Services & Catering:
Containers, flatware & paper goods used by UNO Food Services are either compostable, biodegradable PLA, cornstarch based or recycled paper materials.
https://www.unomaha.edu/milo-bail-student-center/food-services-and-catering/index.php

Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor offer discounts or other incentives to customers who use reusable containers instead of disposable or compostable containers in “to-go” food service operations?:
No

A brief description of the reusable container discount or incentives program:
This initiative has been tabled during the COVID-19 pandemic

Optional Fields

A brief description of other sustainability-related initiatives not covered above:
Maverick Den and MavREC Café serve Arbor Day Coffee, a shade grown, fair trade coffee that benefits the Nebraska Arbor Day Foundation
Every cup of coffee helps to preserve two square feet of rainforest and provides growers with a fair wage, increased access to healthcare and education, and improved local infrastructure.

Scott Café
Herb garden on the property.

Annual International Week features programming for international foods
https://www.unomaha.edu/international-studies-and-programs/_files/docs/iew-poster-2019.pdf

Website URL where information about the sustainable dining programs is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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