Photo Credit: Flickr AussieGold
Food
Recent efforts to make UCLA's food systems more sustainable are among the newest here on campus.
UC Sustainable Food Systems Campaign
The UC Sustainable Food Systems Campaign (SFS) is a student organization that collaborates with campus administrators, faculty, staff, local farmers, and other student groups in efforts to adopt more sustainable food practices at the university level. Through education and outreach with programs such as the UCLA Community Organic Garden and an official university-accredited experiential course, the campaign communicates a sound future of food for UCLA. In the past six months, the SFS campaign has gathered over 6,000 signatures from students statewide in support of local, organic, and socially responsible food, as well as green dining facility standards. Past efforts and events also include the passing of a statewide referendum for a better future in food, a college-night organic dinner that was in collaboration with the local farmers market, and organic taste-tests on campus.
UCLA Food Systems Working Group
With the recent establishment of a Food Systems Working Group (FSWG), UCLA is practicing "food democracy" in which stakeholders in the campus food system, including students, are collaborating to develop guidelines for best practices in dining services.
For more information on sustainable food at UCLA, contact Megan Carney at megannecarney@yahoo.com
Composting
H&HS is starting a composting program at the residence hall cafeterias.
A pilot composting program was started a short while ago at DeNeve. At the DeNeve Cafeteria, post-consumer food waste is seperated from the waste stream and is sent for composting at an off-site composting facility. The pilot program has been running successfully and the program is about to be expanded to the other residence hall cafeterias.
Organic Food at UCLA
ASUCLA offers many organic food options. You can find NUMI Organic Teas at Jimmy's, Northern Lights, and Kerckhoff Coffee House. Organic To Go Sandwiches and Salades are available at many locations on campus including the North Campus Student Center, Kerckhoff Coffee House and the Bombshelter. Also, at the Greenhouse in the Ackerman Union you will find organic options and biodegradible cutlery, plates and bowls. For the coffee drinnker, fair trade coffee is offered an most of the campus coffee houses.
UCLA Housing is increasing the organic options on campus as well. Keep your eyes open for the organic salad bar that is beening planned for Hedrick Hall.
Date Posted: 4/14/2008
