University Dining Services
http://www.dining.umn.edu
612-626-7626
 
 

SUSTAINABLE FOOD PROCUREMENT
   From farm to fork, we're developing menus that include food raised, harvested and produced in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota. We purchase from a variety of local farmers and producers including University of Minnesota Meat Lab, Cheese Lab and the University’s Student Cornercopia Farm.

Local Foods

UDS has an on-going partnership with Midwest Food Alliance, an organization providing certification of products grown with environmentally friendly and socially responsible agricultural practices. In 2012, UDS purchased 176,479 pounds of local produce, 26,060 pounds of local meat, and 1,224,594 pounds of local dairy products.

Food Miles Bullseye image

(Please click the above image for a printable PDF file.)
 

Heartland Food Network

UDS is a charter member of the Minnesota Heartland Food Network. This network works to increase the availability and variety of local and organic foods through diverse distribution systems. UDS hosts Third Thursday events promoting locally grown products on the 3rd Thursday of every month at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Sustainable Coffee

UDS offers fair trade, organic and rainforest alliance coffees and espresso drinks in restaurants and coffee shops on campus. These coffees and teas are served at our Starbucks, Java City, and Dunn Bros. locations.

What is Fair Trade Coffee?
Fair trade coffee is purchased directly from the growers for a higher price than standard coffee.The purpose of fair trade is to promote healthier working conditions and greater economic incentive for producers.

What is Rainforest Alliance Coffee?
The Rainforest Alliance is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers into sustainable practices.

What is Organic Coffee?
Coffee that has been grown according to organic farming standards and techniques, without the use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides.

In 2012, University Dining Services purchased 66,642 pounds of Fair Trade coffee, 4,626 pounds of sustainable CityKid Java coffee, 14,814 pounds of Rainforest Alliance coffee, and 308 pounds of Fair Trade tea.

Cage Free Eggs

UDS serves cage free eggs in residential dining locations. Cage free eggs are produced from un-caged hens, raised in barns and other open environments. In 2012, University Dining Services purchased 89,004 pounds of cage free eggs.

 

What is a Locavore?

Locavores (sometimes called 'localvores') are people who eat food grown or produced locally or within a certain radius of their homes or campuses. That can mean they get food directly from local farmers, fishermen or producers. Or it can even mean they grow, hunt or catch their own food.