The University of Pennsylvania has been recognized as a top performer in the 2023 Sustainable Campus Index, securing the #2 position in the area of Sustainable Food & Dining. A publication from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), the Sustainable Campus Index recognizes top-performing sustainable colleges and universities overall and in 17 impact areas, as measured through the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS).  

“We are pleased that AASHE continues to recognize the sustainability efforts of our dining program as ensuring the health of both our diners and our planet is core to our mission,“ said Pam Lampitt, director of Hospitality Services, who oversees Penn’s dining program. “Together with our food service provider, Bon Appetit, we work to provide menus that support a plant-based diet, ingredients that are locally and sustainably sourced as well as to maintain our focus on eliminating unsafe working conditions and alleviating poverty among farm workers, and reducing or diverting our kitchen waste.” 

The efforts of Penn Dining and the university’s food service partner, Bon Appetit, to procure sustainable food contributed to this #2 Food & Dining ranking overall and the top Ivy League university in this category. The Food & Dining subcategory considers how much of the food procured for Penn’s campus is plant-forward, or is certified by a third party to encourage environmentally friendly and humane farming methods, help eliminate unsafe working conditions and alleviate poverty for farmworkers. These actions reduce environmental impact, support fair and resilient food systems, and reduce food waste. Dining services support sustainable food systems by making low impact dining options available and educating customers about more sustainable food options. More information on Penn’s sustainable food and dining achievements is available on Penn Sustainability Website: https://sustainability.upenn.edu/campus-initiatives/food  

"All of us at AASHE extend our warmest congratulations to the University of Pennsylvania for their achievement,” applauded AASHE’s Executive Director, Meghan Fay Zahniser. “By fostering sustainable practices and initiatives, you set an inspiring example for your peers and future generations. Your efforts are a testament to the positive impact that institutions can make when they prioritize sustainability and take meaningful action. Keep up the outstanding work in creating a brighter, more sustainable future for all!" 

The University’s STARS report is publicly available on the STARS website: https://reports.aashe.org/institutions/university-of-pennsylvania-pa/report/  

About STARS 

The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS was developed by AASHE with broad participation from the higher education community. The credits included in STARS span the breadth of higher education sustainability and are organized into four categories: Academics, Engagement, Operations, and Planning & Administration. All reports are publicly accessible on the STARS website. For more information, visit stars.aashe.org.  

About AASHE 

AASHE empowers higher education administrators, faculty, staff and students to be effective change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation. AASHE enables members to translate information into action by offering essential resources and professional development to a diverse, engaged community of sustainability leaders. We work with and for higher education to ensure that our world's future leaders are motivated and equipped to solve sustainability challenges. For more information, visit www.aashe.org. Follow AASHE on Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter.