| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.55 |
| Liaison | Kelsey Beal |
| Submission Date | Jan. 18, 2024 |
Indiana University Bloomington
OP-8: Sustainable Dining
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.75 / 2.00 |
Tanjimul
Alam Sustainability Programs Assistant Sustain IU |
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?:
A brief description of the farmers market, CSA or urban agriculture project:
Hilltop Garden is located on the IU campus and is an urban agriculture education space. The Garden hosts Bug Fest annually, an opportunity for children in the community to learn about urban agriculture, food production, compost, and creatures that live in gardens. https://hilltop.indiana.edu/
The IU Campus Farm focuses on specialty crop production (fruits and vegetables). Produce from the farm is distributed through three primary channels: to students via the Crimson Cupboard and Campus Kitchen, to the general public at Bethel Lane Farm Stop, and to the area's food-insecure population through donations to local organizations such as Mother Hubbard's Cupboard and the Community Kitchen. https://iufarm.indiana.edu/index.html
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?:
A brief description of the sustainability-themed food outlet:
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?:
A brief description of the support for disadvantaged businesses, social enterprises, and/or local SMEs:
IU Dining purchases local food from small or medium-sized enterprises such as Fischer Farms.
The campus has also opened “The Globe,” a micro-restaurant where small local restaurateurs can sell items from their menu on campus.
Additionally, IU schedules local food trucks to operate on campus at locations experiencing limited or no food service availability. https://www.dining.indiana.edu/social-responsibility/index.html
Estimated percentage of total food and beverage expenditures on products from disadvantaged businesses, social enterprises, and/or local SMEs:
Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor host low impact dining events or promote plant-forward options?:
A brief description of the low impact dining events and/or plant-forward options:
The Office of Sustainability has a Green Event program that encourages a variety of sustainability practices including vegan/vegetarian options and ways to reduce food waste: https://sustain.iu.edu/programs/green-events/greeneventsguide2021.pdf
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?:
A brief description of the vegan dining program:
Vegan and Vegetarian items are available in the all-you-care-to-eat dining halls and are denoted by signage. https://www.dining.indiana.edu/nutrition/diet-and-preferences/index.html
Students can access a detailed breakdown of nutrition information, including vegan/vegetarian status and allergy information, online at any time through NetNutrition: https://nutrition.dining.indiana.edu/NetNutrition/46#
IU Dieticians can offer IU students personalized recommendations, including those related to vegan/vegetarian options, upon request as well.
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?:
A brief description of the sustainability labelling and signage in dining halls:
There is signage advertising and encouraging the use of reusable cups available to students in the dining halls. There are also occasionally signs advertising if a food ingredient is sourced locally.
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?:
A brief description of the food recovery competition or commitment program or food waste prevention system:
Food from catered events is donated to the Campus Kitchen.
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?:
A brief description of the trayless dining or modified menu/portion program:
IUB dining operations have converted to a trayless model.
Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor donate food that would otherwise go to waste to feed people?:
A brief description of the food donation program:
IUB is engaged in the following activities and programs:
Campus Kitchens - We provide kitchen space, food, and training to volunteers.
Crimson Cupboard Food Pantry - We donate food items to the pantry and provide meals to students in need.
Emergency Meal Project - We partner with other campus organizations to provide free meal kits during the summer term for individuals dealing with food insecurity. https://www.dining.indiana.edu/social-responsibility/index.html
Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor divert food materials from the landfill, incinerator or sewer for animal feed or industrial uses?:
A brief description of the food materials diversion program:
Cooking oil is converted to fuel.
Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor have a pre-consumer composting program?:
A brief description of the pre-consumer composting program:
Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor have a post-consumer composting program?:
A brief description of the post-consumer composting program:
Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor utilize reusable service ware for “dine in” meals?:
A brief description of the reusable service ware program:
IUB dining operations have converted to using reusable serviceware for their dine in meals.
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)?:
A brief description of the compostable containers and service ware:
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?:
A brief description of the reusable container discount or incentives program:
There is a discount on coffee purchases with reusable mugs.
A brief description of other sustainability-related initiatives not covered above:
- Healthy IU (https://healthy.iu.edu/) is a a university-wide employee wellness program that has resources available for free to all employees. Healthy IU's objectives are to raise awareness, build skills and create an environment where the healthy choice is the easy choice. IU is a complex system; working together we will weave a culture of wellness into the fabric of IU at the individual, departmental, campus, and university-wide levels.
- Nutrition Counseling and Weight Management programs are services provided by Healthy IU and available to the IUPUI community
https://healthy.iu.edu/wellness-information/nutrition/index.html
Website URL where information about the sustainable dining programs is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.