Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
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Overall Score | 60.83 |
Liaison | C Jane Hagen |
Submission Date | March 2, 2018 |
Executive Letter | Download |
Virginia Commonwealth University
OP-8: Sustainable Dining
Status | Score | Responsible Party |
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1.13 / 2.00 |
Joseph
Costa Sustainability Projects and Program Coordinator Sustainability |
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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:
VCU works with Green Thread, an environmental sustainability platform provided by Aramark, to help minimize environmental impacts. Green Thread focuses on responsible sourcing, waste minimization, sustainable operations, and transportation management.
On-Campus Sourcing
Yes
A brief description of the program to source food from a campus garden or farm:
Through Green Thread, Dining Services source food from a variety of local farmers, growers, and distributors. Although the list changes depending on the season and availability, a few of our partners are as listed: Barry's Berries & Jan's Jams, Crown Orchard, Dodd's Acres, Kirby Farms, Mountain View Orchards, Sunnyside Farm, The Peanut Shop of Williamsburg, and Twin Oaks Community.
Local Community Engagement
Yes
A brief description of the farmers market, CSA or urban agriculture project:
VCU holds a weekly farmers market, open to the public, in the VCU Arts Depot. This farmers market sells locally grown produce, eggs and skin care products.
Vegan Dining Program
Yes
A brief description of the vegan dining program:
In the main student-dining center, Market 810, there is a standing vegan section that serves daily breakfast, lunch and dinner. This selection includes a fresh salad bar with vegan proteins, as well as hot entrees using tofu or tempeh. The in-house pastry chef also regularly makes vegan desserts. VCU Dining Services also offers gluten-free foods.
Low-Impact Dining Events
No
A brief description of the low impact dining events:
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Sustainability-Themed Meals
No
A brief description of the sustainability-themed meals:
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Sustainability-Themed Outlet
No
A brief description of the sustainability-themed food outlet:
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Labeling and Signage
No
A brief description of the sustainability labeling and signage in dining halls:
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Outreach and Education
No
A brief description of the outreach efforts to support learning and research about sustainable food systems:
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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
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
Yes
A brief description of the trayless dining or modified menu/portion program:
ARAMARK VCU's Dining Service provider serves 100% of meals served on campus, trayless
Food Donation
Yes
A brief description of the food donation program:
ARAMARK donates prior to major academic breaks and at the end of every semester as well as ~ 500 pounds each semester as part of a student waste education initiative.
Food Materials Diversion
Yes
A brief description of the food materials diversion program:
RECO picks up cooking oil from collection sites around campus for the purpose of making biofuel.
Composting
No
A brief description of the pre-consumer composting program:
VCU is not composting any pre-consumer food waste at this time.
Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor have a post-consumer composting program?:
No
A brief description of the post-consumer composting program:
VCU is not composting any post-consumer food waste at this time.
Dine-In Service Ware
Yes
A brief description of the reusable service ware program:
Our primary Dining services contractor Aramark uses reusable silerware in it's buffet locations on both the Monroe Park and Medical campus.
Take-Away Materials
No
A brief description of the compostable containers and service ware:
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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:
Dining Services contract with Starbucks provides a discount for the use if reusable mugs.
Other Materials Management Initiatives
No
A brief description of other dining services materials management initiatives:
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Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.