sustainability in dining
See how local, responsible purchasing and waste minimization are key elements of our program.
Responsible Purchasing Practices
We follow strict sourcing standards in order to deliver our guests premium ingredients with an emphasis on scratch preparation.
- Our chicken is always antibiotic-free
- All eggs are cage-free
- Our beef is humanely raised and grass-fed, Certified Gap 4 or above
- All seafood is certified Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Best Choice or Good Alternative
- Our milk and yogurt is always rbGH free
- Every coffee shop on campus offers at least one Fair Trade certified option
Waste Minimization Programs
Dining Services is continuously working on initiatives that will eliminate pre- and post-consumer waste from our operations. Everyone can help make a difference!
Every guest who brings a reusable mug to our coffee shops (Starbucks, Peet’s, Connections, The Pit, Hillside Market, Grab & Go, Eastman Dining Center) will receive a discount on hot/cold coffee or tea. Fill up your mug for just $1.39!
In support of New York State law that bans single-use plastic bags statewide, dining services stopped using single use plastic bags in all River Campus and Eastman School of Music dining locations and bookstores since August 2019. We encourage the use of reusable bags in all locations.
Need to eat on the go? Our clamshell gives you the option to take your meals with you in a safe, sustainable way at Douglass, Danforth, The Pit, and Eastman Dining Center. Check with a cashier at these locations for more information.
We practice pre-consumer composting and recycling at all dining locations.
Used coffee grounds are composted at all coffee shop locations.
Douglass Dining Center operates a bio-digester to eliminate post-consumer waste.
Danforth Dining Center operates a pulper to remove post-consumer waste from the waste stream.
Dining Services participates in a Food Recovery Program that delivers unused foods to a local food shelter
