Gator Dining Services

Gator Dining Services, the university’s official dining services provider, has made strides towards ensuring a more sustainable dining operation on our campus. From the purchasing of local produce, to fostering more partnerships with local businesses, to evaluating ways to cut down on energy and water usage, campus dining is becoming greener everyday.

Check out some of our sustainablility efforts below.

Waste Reduction

Student Testimonial: “I have to say how proud I am at the initiatives that you took for Earth Day. Not only the trays being taken away, but also the education was just amazing. Everyone seemed to do just fine without trays and it can help save food waste and water. That makes me proud to go to the University of Florida.” – Alex Klein, UF Student

Implemented trayless dining at Fresh Food Company and Gator Corner Dining Center

By removing the trays from our dining halls, in one year we will prevent 60,000 lbs. of uneaten food from being thrown away and 470,000 gallons of water from being used.

Reusable cups

Gator Dining offers .25 off coffee purchases and .99 fountain beverage refills when you bring your own reusable cup. We also sell a 32oz reusable cup for $2.99 which includes your first fountain beverage. You can also present this cup at locations where fountain beverages are sold and receive a refill for .99. These cups are sold at most Gator Dining locations including Pollo Tropical, Papa John’s, Croutons and Home Zone

While no one knows the exact amount of plastic bags consumed, worldwide estimates range in the trillions per year.

Compostable to-go containers, bowls, plates & cups available at all locations.

These products are made from renewable resources instead of petroleum-based plastics or Styrofoam.

Reusable to-go container program at campus dining halls

Coffee grounds reuse program

Distributing used coffee grounds throughout the campus & community for reuse in farming, composting, and landscaping. These can help replace the use of chemical-intensive fertilizers.

Reusing over 60,000 lbs of coffee grounds per year

Waste diversion data collected daily throughout campus dining locations

Providing a host kitchen to the Campus Kitchens Project

Gator Dining has partnered with the Campus Kitchens Project – a hunger relief organization that takes unserved food from local food service providers and creates individually-packaged, nutritious meals to be delivered to social service agencies.

Over 2,200 meals have been served to our local community.

Robust recycling program

Recycling all cardboard, paper, plastic, aluminum/metal, and glass.

Recycling approximately 154 tons of comingled materials (plastic, glass, aluminum) and 215 tons of cardboard and paper each year

Recycle cooking oil at all campus dining locations

Partnership with UF Office of Sustainability

Provide Terracycle bins at all convenience stores on campus which upcycle typically non-recyclable snack packaging and personal care products. Visit http://sustainable.ufl.edu/terracycle/ to learn about UF’s Terracycle brigades.

Partnership between Classic Fare Catering and Bread of the Mighty Food Bank for food donations

Since the beginning of 2008, over 4,000 lbs. of food have been donated to the needy throughout our community.

Energy & Water

Energy Star® procurement policy in place for all new dining & office appliance purchases

Energy Star® products meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and US Department of Energy (http://www.energystar.gov).

Conservation training for all new employees

As part of new hire training, all employees now go through sustainability training which includes education on water and energy conservation at home and on the job.

Energy and water conservation program in place campus-wide.

Responsible Procurement

Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance & USDA Certified Organic coffees offered campus-wide

Starbucks, Java City & Sweetwater Organic Coffee Roasters all offer sustainable coffee choices.

Styrofoam-free packaging in all campus dining locations

Diverts an estimated 1.2 million units of foam prouducts from landfills.

Source compostable and recyclable catering to-go boxes that are unbleached and printed with soy based inks.

Local/regional produce sourced for two dining halls

Purchasing local produce has many benefits including supporting local farming; cutting down on the miles food has to travel (thereby reducing fuel use and pollution); ensuring a safe, stable, local food supply; ensuring a fresher product; and eating in conjunction with the seasons. Learn more here.
Look for the “Locally Grown” tags in our dining halls to identify these items.

Did you know most produce travels an average of 1,500 miles before being sold?

Organic grocery & snack options

Visit our convenience stores for a variety of healthy choices. Look for the natural and organic signs.

Cage-free eggs used in our dining halls

Both Gator Corner Dining Center and Fresh Food Company use cage-free eggs.

Using eco-friendly cleaning supplies

These Green Seal certified products protect the health of our workers, customers, & the environment.

Responsible sourcing of disposable items

These include compostable materials as well as post-consumer recycled content products.

Education & Engagement

Sustainability Training

All of our hourly employees go through training on a variety of sustainability and environmental stewardship topics including recycling, reponsible purchasing, sustainable food, transportation, and energy and water conservation. Our goal is to reflect on ways to make sustainability a part of our daily work and personal lives.

Participant in RecycleMania – a nationwide college recycling competition

Monthly Sustainability events at on campus dining centers

Participate in Inter-Residence Hall Association’s Annual Eco-Challenge Competition

Screens at campus dining locations display weekly Meatless Monday options and list of available local produce

Hosted an annual Iron Chef-style competition at Fresh Food Company among our employees using all local and regional products (Earth Day, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)

Proud sponsor of ‘Farm-to-Restaurant Month!’ August 2012 is ‘Farm-to-Restaurant Month’ in the City of Gainesville and Alachua County. There are a variety of events planned throughout the city so you can learn more about local food

Health & Nutrition

Offering vegan and vegetarian options every day campus wide
Using Trans Fat-Free oils in all proprietary and most national brand locations

Check out our NEW Nutrition in Your Backyard program!

Each month we table in our Residential Dining Halls with GatorWell about healthy eating habits and eating local foods. Engage in nutrition education, win prizes and learn about Gator Dining Services Sustainability!

Social Equity

Living Wage implemented for all full-time employees
Green Team developed to allow employees to play an active role in the advancement of our sustainability program. Learn more here

Transportation

Offering a Bicycle Benefits program to customers who bike to our locations
Bicycle Benefits is a national program designed to reward individuals for their commitment to cleaner air, personal health, and the use of pedaling energy in order to create a more sustainable community Click Here to learn more . Individuals wishing to participate can purchase a $5 reflective Bicycle Benefits sticker from the P.O.D. Market in the Reitz Union- Ground Floor. Rewards associated with the program entitle participants to receive discounts both on and off campus. On campus discounts at Gator Dining locations include: $7 entry to Fresh Food Company and/or Gator Corner Dining Center for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a FREE 32oz. fountain beverage refill when you use your Gator Dining reusable cup. To redeem these special offers after purchasing your sticker, adhere the sticker to your bicycle helmet and show the cashier your helmet with the sticker upon point of purchase.

Additional Info

Alligator – Greening Dining Article The Independent Florida Alligator (January 2008)

Office of Sustainability E-Newsletter (January 2008)

Reusable Mug Article Gainesville Sun (February 2008)

College Services Magazine (PDF format) (April 2008)

Trayless Dining - USA Today (July 2008)

Trayless Dining - The Independent Florida Alligator (July 2008)

“Erase the Waste” Campaign - Gainesville Sun (October 2008)

“Erase the Waste” Campaign - Wastedfood.com (October 2008)

“Erase the Waste” Campaign -The Independent Florida Alligator (October 2008)

Trayless Dining - Gainesville Sun (October 2008)

Reusable To Go Program (January 2009)

Gator Dining Green Team (January 2010)

Campus Dining Locations adopt Meatless Monday -The Independent Florida Alligator (November 2010)

Foam packaging removed from campus dining program -The Independent Florida Alligator (December 2011)

Gators Go Foam Free - On-Campus Hospitality Magazine (March 2012)

BURGERevolution sustainable dining party - The Independent Florida Alligator (March 2012)

Students Plan Herbs for Use in Campus Dining Centers - The Independent Florida Alligator (September 2012)

Videos

Fresh Food Challenge – April 2007, Video (plug-in required)

Local Foods Cook-Off – Earth Day 2008, Video