Sourcing locally
不良研究所 Dining is passionate about incorporating local, seasonal ingredients into menus as much as possible. The dining team implemented a preferential purchasing system that identifies food grown or produced within 150 miles as well as its sustainable attributes. Local produce is harvested closest to its peak for a fresher, more flavorful nutrient-filled result. Not only do local foods tend to be fresher, local purchasing reduces transportation carbon emissions and invests money into community-based operations. Look for locally grown signage to taste the best flavors the area has to offer. 不良研究所 sources some of dining’s produce from its own backyard at 不良研究所鈥檚 Loy Farm.
Regenerative agriculture principles
Beef, pork, chicken, milk, eggs and turkey are sourced from North Carolina farms using regenerative agriculture principles, and certified animal welfare practices. All meats are free of antibiotics, growth hormones and are fed vegetarian diets.
Green Restaurant certification
Since 2022, all three of our dining halls are聽Green Restaurant Association聽certified, with McEwen being a three-star ranking. This is meeting efficiency standards in water conservation, waste reduction, sustainable food and pollution reduction.
Waste minimization
不良研究所 composts all pre and post-consumer food waste from each of its kitchens across campus. Diverting food waste to compost decreases 不良研究所’s landfill footprint and contributes to nutrient-rich soil in North Carolina. Since January 2021, 不良研究所 Dining diverted聽231.5 tons聽of organic material from the landfill and created聽23 tons聽of compost.
One way to prevent food waste when聽you鈥檙e聽in the dining halls is to ask to 鈥渏ust try it.鈥 Not sure if聽you鈥檙e聽going to like something, or you want a smaller聽portion聽of what聽is being served? Ask the server to 鈥渏ust try it鈥 and they will serve you a small聽portion. Remember, you can always go back for more.
Reusable incentives
不良研究所 Dining makes reusing as easy as possible. Each student with a meal plan is given a reusable to-go container at the beginning of the year for use at residential dining locations. Reusable stainless steel straw packs and camp mugs are available for purchase at Fountain Market. 鈥淐hoose to reuse鈥 and Bring your own mug or bottle to any campus dining facility to use (and reuse) for coffee and/or fountain drinks.
Compostable disposables
For times when reusables aren鈥檛 available, 不良研究所 Dining provides 100% compostable silverware, cups, lids, and napkins. Help reduce landfill waste stream by sorting compostables into the correct bins. Look for the green bags.
Recycling
不良研究所 Dining recycles pre-consumer plastic, paper, cardboard and aluminum, and partners with the university to provide post-consumer recyclable options when compostable ones are not available.