University Dining Services continues to expand our Environmental Sustainability program on the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities campus.  Our evolving platform includes food donations to community organizations, incorporation of locally grown and organic foods into menus, local restaurant partnerships, recycling, composting and more. 

In support of local agriculture, University Catering has developed an on-going partnership with Midwest Food Alliance, an organization providing certification of products grown with environmentally friendly and socially responsible agricultural practices.

For additional information about our Local/Sustainable catering offerings please view our new 2009 Special Event Catering Guide.

UDS has collected over 280 tons of compost since implementing an Organics Recycling program in September 2007.  Kitchen and dining room waste, such as food scraps and biodegradable packaging is collected in Bailey, Centennial, Comstock, Middlebrook, Pioneer, and Sanford Residential Restaurants, Coffman Union’s Minnesota Marketplace, St. Paul Student Center’s Terrace Café, Bistro West Restaurant, Carlson Dining, Continuing Education & Conference Center and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. 

Biodegradable Packaging
UDS has converted 35% of packaging to biodegradable in dining locations on campus. Packaging such as the 24oz fountain cup, salad bowls and plates, made of corn resin or starch, take approximately 45 days in break down in compost piles.  UDS utilizes its Green Team (student interns interested in promoting dining’s sustainability programs) to assist customers in composting their food waste and biodegradable packaging in dining locations.

Green Team
Interested in promoting UDS’ sustainability programs on campus? Join the Green Team! Green Team interns are full-time University of Minnesota students who educate fellow students, faculty and staff about UDS’ environmental programs. To apply, please submit your resume to Heather at mentg001@umn.edu.

Urban Ventures
UDS has a strong partnership with South Minneapolis non-profit organization Urban Ventures. Urban Ventures works to build a better community by providing youth leadership programs, education, training and work opportunities for those in need. UDS donates nutritious meals to Urban Ventures’ Peoples Exchange Program, which feeds hundreds of community members in need.

CityKid Java Coffee
In 2002, Urban Ventures began CityKid Java, a business endeavor designed to fund social programs in the Twin Cities. All CityKid Java coffees are “true trade;” meaning, they’re purchased at or above fair trade industry cost. Every dollar Urban Ventures earns from CityKid Java sales fuels community programming. UDS is proud to partner with Urban Ventures, and has implemented CityKid Java in each of our six Residential Restaurant locations and Bistro West Restaurant. In 2008, UDS purchased 1,996 pounds of CityKid Java Coffee.

CityKid Java Cafe
CityKid Java Café, a new coffee shop now open in the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, offers the campus community an opportunity to help at-risk youth and families in the Minneapolis community, while supporting sustainability.  

CityKid Java Café is the result of a partnership between ARAMARK, the University of Minnesota’s dining service provider, and Urban Ventures, a South Minneapolis non-profit organization which assists community residents in securing sustainable, safe and thriving neighborhood environments. Through the sale of CityKid Java coffee, Urban Ventures funds athletic programming and learning labs for at-risk youth and their families.

ARAMARK and Urban Ventures hope to provide CityKid Java employees, which include youth from Urban Ventures, as well as University of Minnesota students, with meaningful, hands-on work experience and mentoring. Employees and student managers of CityKid Java Cafe learn business management and customer service skills in a real-life working environment.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Locally Grown
In support of local agriculture, UDS has developed an on-going partnership with Midwest Food Alliance, an organization that provides certification of products grown with environmentally friendly and socially responsible agricultural practices. In 2008, UDS purchased 187,030 pounds of local produce, 48,049 pounds of local meat, 103,569 gallons of local dairy and 36,123 pounds of bakery products from local Franklin St. Bakery.

• University of Minnesota Andrew Boss Meat Lab
• University of Minnesota Student Cornercopia Farm
• Franklin St. Bakery - Minneapolis, MN
• Captain Ken's - St. Paul, MN
• Axdahl Garden Farms - Stillwater, MN
• Pahl’s Market - Apple Valley, MN
• Vine Valley Farms - Stewart, MN
• Pepin Heights - Lake City, MN
• Svihel Farms - Foley, MN
• Nuto Farms - Rice Lake, WI
• Thousand Hills Cattle Company - Cannon Falls, MN
• Ed Field Farms - Anoka, MN
• Robs Gourmet Greens - Hoolandale, MN
• Eichten Hidden Acres - Center City, MN
• Compart Family Farms - Nicolett, MN

Heartland Food Network
University Dining Services is a charter member of the Heartland Food Network. This network works to increase the availability and variety of local and organic foods through diverse distribution systems. UDS partners with the Heartland Food Network to bring new and exciting menus to the University of Minnesota at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and Bistro West Restaurants.

Third Thursdayevents are held on the third Thursday of every month at the Arboretum and Bistro West Restaurants to promote locally grown products and organic items. Bistro West Restaurant also hosts monthly Guest Chef events, featuring local restaurant chefs who share a passion for cooking with locally grown foods. In addition to these events, guests can find locally grown and organic offerings daily at Bistro West Restaurant.

Bistro West Restaurant is located on the Lower Level of the Humphrey Center and is open Monday – Thursday 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and Friday 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. during the academic year. For more information, or to make reservations, please call 612-625-2588.

Arboretum Restaurant is located on the second floor of the Oswald Visitors Center at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, Minnesota. The Arboretum Restaurant is open Monday – Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For more information, please call 952-443-1434.

Organics
Organic menu offerings are available at University Dining Services’ residential C3 Markets in Centennial, Middlebrook and Sanford Halls and Essentials Market in West Bank’s Blegen Hall.

Cage Free Eggs

Fair Trade Products
University Dining Services serves fair trade coffees, espresso drinks and teas at every dining location on campus. Products include a combination of national and local brands to offer variety for campus customers.

Java City
UDS operates 7 Java City cafes on campus, including 4 Java City Eco Grounds locations - cafés serving 100% fair trade and rainforest alliance coffees and espresso drinks. In 2008, UDS purchased 11,608 pounds of Java City fair trade coffee and 3,188 pounds of rainforest alliance coffee.

Starbucks
UDS operates 2 licensed Starbucks and 4 Starbucks “We Proudly Brew” locations on campus. In 2007, UDS purchased 2,830 pounds of Starbucks fair trade coffee.

Recycling
Sustainability reaches beyond UDS’ purchasing practices. As a department, we work to source and implement ways to limit and properly dispose of waste in dining locations. This includes recycling waste paper, cardboard, glass and bottles in office and dining locations.

Tray-Less Dining
University Dining Services piloted tray-less dining in residential restaurants on April 22, 2008 (Earth Day). Over 3,400 customers participated in the activity, saving 315 pounds of food waste or an average of 1.5 ounces per person and 1,700 gallons of water.

In support of the environmental and social advantages, UDS has implemented tray-less dining in residential restaurants on a permanent basis beginning in August 08. Going tray-less conserves water and energy used to wash trays and reduces the amount of chemical rinse aids used. Additionally, tray-less dining promotes healthier eating by reducing over consumption and food waste.

Check back often for more updates!