Food and Dining Systems
Our Goals
Our sustainability goals related to food and dining go beyond reducing food waste to include education and collaboration on the benefits of sustainable food system operations. We strive to:
- Work toward more sustainable food and beverage purchasing, including more plant-based options and those with a low carbon footprint.
- Reduce food waste by exploring more sustainable options for pre- and post-consumer operations.
- Increase opportunities for students to experience and explore sustainable food systems both on and off campus.
- Promote research on sustainable food systems and facilitate collaboration across campus and the community.
Our Progress
NIU is committed to finding innovative ways to address food and dining as it relates to sustainability. At NIU, it is important that we invest in initiatives that help combat food insecurity, conduct research, and provide opportunities for our community to learn.
In recent years, the Institute for the Study of Environment, Sustainability and Energy has added a Sustainable Food Systems emphasis to their Environmental Studies program. Students have opportunities to learn, research and tackle complex issues and aspects of sustainable food systems.
Starting in 2022, Edible Campus has been growing fresh produce for our dining halls and Huskie Food Pantry. This program centers and addresses the critical need for innovative solutions to complex issues regarding food and food access.
Fighting food insecurity takes a lot of hands. The Huskie Food Pantry and Huskie Harvest both work towards feeding students on campus. The programs are vital to support student success..
At the center of this work, students can learn, explore, research and thrive, all while maintaining healthy diets with consistent access to food on campus.
Our Partners
NIU is dedicated to implementing more sustainable practices in our food and dining systems. We aspire to provide opportunities for campus and the community to learn about and participate in sustainable food system practices. Through collaboration, we can achieve this goal.
There are many entities working toward sustainable food and dining on NIU’s campus. The Institute for the Study of Environment, Sustainability and Energy and the Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability work toward bringing education and research opportunities to our students.
Campus Sustainability and Edible Campus work to create innovative solutions to food systems and food waste to our campus.
Campus Dining Services are working to provide sustainable meals, food waste reduction and sustainable purchasing.