| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 72.67 |
| Liaison | Aurora Sharrard |
| Submission Date | Feb. 13, 2024 |
University of Pittsburgh
IN-8: Dining Services Certification
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.50 / 0.50 |
Nick
Goodfellow Sustainability Coordinator Dining Services |
Is at least one on-campus dining hall or food service outlet certified by one or more of the following organizations?:
| Yes or No | |
| Food for Life (Food for Life Served Here award) | No |
| The Food Recovery Network (Food Recovery Verified) | Yes |
| The Green Restaurant Association (GRA) (Two Star or higher) | No |
| Green Seal (GS-55 Standard for Restaurants and Food Services) | No |
| Leaders for Environmentally Accountable Foodservice (LEAF) | No |
| Nordic Swan | No |
| Responsible Epicurean and Agricultural Leadership (REAL) | No |
| Sustainable Restaurant Association (Food Made Good, Two Stars or higher) | No |
| An equivalent third party certification approved by AASHE | No |
Approximately what proportion of on-site food service outlets (by location or sales) are third party certified?:
A list or brief description of each certified dining hall or food service outlet, including the certification earned:
FOOD RECOVERY
The University of Pittsburgh has been a Food Recovery Verified campus since 2016 (2023 certificate attached). More than 158,000 lbs of surplus food have been recovered from the campus since 2014; these diversions are led by student group "Food Recovery Heroes" in partnership with "Pitt Eats" (Compass), but Pitt staff sometimes support as well.
Pitt's Official Food Recovery Network tracking and public reporting dashboard (very bottom of page): https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/dashboard/
Pitt's Food Recovery Heroes student group's record on Food Recovery Network's Pennsylvania page: https://www.foodrecoverynetwork.org/pennsylvania
Beginning in November 2023, food-insecure students can pick up hot and cold recovered meals from climate-controlled food lockers alongside orders for groceries and takeout deliveries, providing a discrete and convenient option for students 24 hours a day. These lockers are operated by the Pitt Eats dining staff in partnership with the Food Recovery Heroes student organization who help package and fulfill at least 25 meals per day, Monday through Friday, and twice on Fridays.
Learn more about food lockers: https://www.pitt.edu/pittwire/features-articles/pitt-food-locker-delivery
In 2019, Pitt’s Food Recovery Heroes won a Zero Waste Excellence Award from the Pennsylvania Resources Council: https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/pitt-food-recovery-heroes-receive-prc-zero-waste-excellence-award
In 2018, the University of Pittsburgh won a U.S. EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Food Recovery Award in the Data Driven category: https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/university-of-pittsburgh-receives-accolades-from-epa-for-food-recovery-achievements/
LIVE WELL ALLEGHENY RESTAURANTS
Six Pitt eateries have all been recognized as Live Well Allegheny Restaurants: The Eatery, the Perch at Sutherland, Schenley Cafe, and the Cathedral of Learning, plus Pitt Subs and Shake Smart at the Petersen Events Center. This designation provided by the Allegheny County Health Department is part of Live Well Allegheny, an initiative to improve the health and wellness of county residents and to make Allegheny County the healthiest county in the nation. They provide local resources for healthy living, including recognizing Live Well Restaurants.
Learn more: https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/6-pitt-dining-locations-now-live-well-allegheny-restaurants/
SUSTAINABLE PITTSBURGH RESTAURANTS
The University of Pittsburgh’s two main dining halls have both earned Gold designations under the Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurants program. The Eatery (formerly Market Central) and the Perch at Sutherland first earned their designations as Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurants in 2018 by demonstrating a commitment to take economic, environmental, and social actions that benefit the region. Both of the dining halls at the University of Pittsburgh are certified "Gold" Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurants as well.
Learn more: https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/awards/sustainable-pittsburgh-restaurants/
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable dining certification program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Food Recovery Verification Information for Pitt attached.
Food Recovery Verification Information for Pitt attached.
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.