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Food

The gloved hands of a cafeteria worker are shown spooning portions of corn, beans, quinoa and shredded meat onto a plate from a buffet

Nourishing the community starts in our kitchens. Healthy, economically viable, and flavorful food sustains Penn. Practices that respect farmers, workers, and animals enhance our culinary endeavors. 

Food

Nourishing the community starts in our kitchens. Healthy, economically viable, and flavorful food sustains Penn. Practices that respect farmers, workers, and animals enhance our culinary endeavors. 

The gloved hands of a cafeteria worker are shown spooning portions of corn, beans, quinoa and shredded meat onto a plate from a buffet

Local food has a profound impact on health, community, and culinary enjoyment. A sustainable future through food comes from Penn Dining’s commitments, including our partnership with Bon Appétit Management Company. The campus is dedicated to plant-forward ingredients and is in support of environmentally friendly and humane farming methods.

Sustainability is the backbone of Penn’s menu: It shows up in the locally-sourced ingredients, our kitchen principles, and waste reduction practices. Our actions to reduce food waste and environmental impact and support fair food systems have earned Penn the second-highest score in the Association for Sustainability in Higher Education’s STARS Food & Dining subcategory! 
 

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Our Progress

67%

Of Penn Dining’s spending is on plant-based products, creating a healthy and sustainable menu.

2,000

+lbs of Penn Park Farm food has found its way to food-insecure individuals in and around our community.

171,000

Disposable clamshells are saved from the landfill annually through the Green2Go program.
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Programs

Quaker kitchen at Gutmann college house is shown. It has a large kitchen island with 10 stools around it. On the island, there are several trays of food. Several students are seated around the table. Two people wearing chef uniforms are standing behind the island at the stoves and giving a cooking demonstration.
Take-out containers are shown near the buffet of a dining cafeteria. The containers are labelled "Penn Dining".
A chef in a professional kitchen is shown wearing a mask while chopping various vegetables on a cutting board with gloved hands.
A woman's hands are shown holding a head of garlic while cutting away its roots. There is a box of additional garlic next to her.

University Square Farmers Market

Neighbors, students, and community members come together every Wednesday at 36th and Walnut Streets. In collaboration with Farm to City, the University Square Farmers Market hosts an opportunity to buy fresh, regional food and goods from local farmers and merchants. Penn Cash, FMNP Vouchers, and Dining Dollars are accepted. 
 

Rows of a field with covered crops are shown in front of a greenhouse which appears in an urban setting near a bridge and overpass. Field workers are working with wheelbarrows and buckets in the field. A sign on the overpass reads "Penn - Welcome to university city". Some electricity cables and high rise towers are seen in the background.
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Green2Go

In Penn's dining cafes, our Green2Go reusable boxes are offered to make dining more sustainable.

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“Sustainability is a core value of both Penn Dining and Bon Appetit, our food service provider. It is reflected in the percentage of our ingredients which are locally sourced, in our recipes which promote plant-based options, and in our kitchen principles that support the campus’ waste reduction goals.” 

Pam Lampitt, director of Penn’s Hospitality Services
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