As UC Merced enrollment continues to grow, Dining Services strives to sustainably keep up with campus demand through sustainable purchases and waste-reduction efforts, all while accommodating a culture of meals to go. Dining Services proactively promotes sustainability in the realm of healthy living, local sourcing, and food literacy.
Goal:
During the 2016-2017 academic year, Dining Services will focus on increasing sustainable purchases by taking advantage of the rich agriculture available in the Central Valley. Dining Services will also continue its efforts in identifying innovative ways to reduce the amount of food waste generated.
Current Initiatives:
Promote Healthy Living and Sustainability
Create nutritional labels for the remaining 20 percent of in-house recipes that do not have labels;
Implement the “How much Sugar in is my…?” campaign, with photos of food items with sugar cubes stacked next to illustrate sugar levels;
95 percent compost and 2 percent disposables;
Revamp compost training program with signage and add to both the student and employee orientations;
A revised flat rate of 35 cents for all take-out orders
Professional signage at the tray-veyers that clearly indicates waste streams
A “You Wasted This” campaign aimed at comparing 19 meals of disposables per week against other countries usage; and
Working with Housing to purchase 1,200 reusable mugs for on-campus freshman and offer a refill incentive
Contact Information
If you are interested in working for Dining Services or learning more about our programs, please visit us online.
Food Pantry
In a partnership with the USDA, The United Way, and the Merced Food Bank, UC Merced offers a monthly food assistance program to all UC Merced students, faculty and staff members who have a need.
This program is free and provides participants with a monthly food allotment. You can find information on recipes, maps, transportation and food use at the Resources page.
If you have questions, you can email foodpantry@ucmerced.edu or contact a member of the Board of Directors.
Global Food Initiative
The UC Office of the President established the Global Food Initiative (GFI) and developed a fellowship program to support it. The GFI efforts at UC Merced have been geared toward food security, health, and sustainability. For example, GFI fellow Andrew Zumkehr’s project incorporates evaluating the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through local sourcing of food. Marcos Lane, a GFI fellow, is supporting the campus garden and examining the possibilities of product distribution and use in the dining commons.
Some of our fellow's contact information and project descriptions:
Ramiro Gonzalez
Undergraduate -Computer Science
rgonzalez69@ucmerced.edu
As Ambassador Ramiro Gonzalez serves to help rescue surplus food and redistribute it to community partners on and off campus.They will help harvest fruits and vegtables from various outlets inlcuding, but not limtied to farms, farmers markets, backyards, grocery stores, cafes, restuarants etc.
Sigry Ortiz Flores
Undergraduate - Biological Sciences
sortizflores@ucmerced.edu
Assis with research and evaluation projects on food access and food resources on campus. Sigry will assist with the organization and analysis of data on participation, awareness, and barriers to utilization of food resources, they will also closely collaborate with the Nutrition Education Fellow and the CalFresh Advocate to synergize efforts and devise data-driven interventions.
Yolanda Medrano
Undergraduate - Applied Math
ymedrano5@ucmerced.edu
Development of video series for CalFresh Outreach at Uc Merced and furthermore will advocate CalFresh resources to students (graduate and undergraduate) to help address food insecurity. They will also provide communication assistance and feedback related to application process between students and county representatives.
No Food Left Behind
No Food Left Behind is an initiative to ensure catered event food isn’t wasted and instead feeds our UC Merced community. It is a collaboration between many departments and programs including Lakeside Catering, UC Merced Environmental Health and Safety, Basic Needs Security, CropMobster, the Department of Sustainability and the Bobcat Eats Food Waste Awareness and Prevention Program.
Option 1: Those who are attending a participating Lakeside Catered event will be allowed to bring a food container to take home leftover food from the event.
Option 2: There will also be a texting service available to the UCM Community. Those who opt in to the texting service will receive a text usually 24 hours before a participating Lakeside Catered event. The text will alert people to bring a food container to the upcoming event to collect leftovers.
Sample text message- “Free Food, Wednesday, 8/7, 2-2:15, California Room, bring a food container.”
The food either must be stored properly or consumed immediately and participants will have only 15 minutes after the scheduled event to collect leftovers. For example, if the event runs 12-2 pm, people will only have until 2:15 for food collection. We ask that those collecting leftovers be respectful to event planners and caterers and respect the 15 minute time limit and be respectful and quiet if waiting for an event to end. Please note that event planners and No Food Left Behind Coordinators cannot ensure that there will always be leftovers at all events.
Disclaimer- Individuals will be consuming leftovers at their own risk and will not hold UC Merced liable for any harm or injury.
Anyone at UC Merced can sign up for the text service at anytime. To sign up, text FOOD to 85523. Please text STOP to opt out when desired or when leaving the UC Merced community.
Those interested in registering Lakeside Catered events as a No Food Left Behind Event can do so via CaterTrax.
For questions, comments, feedback or to get involved with the program, please contact Erin Meyer at emeyer4@ucmerced.edu or (209)205-8102.
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FAQs
Q: Is this a free service and is the food free?
A: Yes. Signing up for texts is free (message and data rates may apply) and the food after events would be free.
Q: Is this only for students?
A: No. Anyone at UC Merced can participate in the texting service by texting “FOOD” to 85523. Additionally, anyone ordering food for Lakeside catered events, can donate food.
Q: Is it first come, first serve?
A: Yes.
Q: Is there a limit to how much I can take?
A: Yes. We ask participants to take one serving so that others can participate. However, if others don’t show up to collect food left overs, we wouldn’t mind if you take more. Just don’t let that food go to waste!
Q: How often will I be receiving notifications?
A: It will vary. Texts will be sent out whenever an event is registered as a No Food Left Behind Event.
Q: Do I need my CatCard?
A: You won’t need a CatCard to collect food, but certain events may require it. We advise bringing it.
Q: Do I need to bring my own container?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I bring food containers to other events?
A: Ask the event organizer. Currently, this program is limited to Lakeside Catered Events.
Q: Can I still get food even if I didn’t bring a container?
A: Caterers likely will not have containers for you so it is advised to bring your own. Maybe keep it in your bag or backpack!
Q: Where can I find food safety information for leftovers?
A: The USDA has some helpful information on leftovers and food safety.
Q: How can I find more food resources on campus?
A: Please visit the Basic Needs Security website for more information on food resources at UC Merced.
iCare
iCare offers meal donation program to allow on-campus students to donate excess meal swipes to their peers who have run out of swipes. This online portal allows you to confidentially donate or request meal swipes. Each swipe provides access to anything in the Dining Pavilion. Click above to find out more.
