Sustainabililty
University Dining Services is working hard to make our environment more green for future generations. Below are a few of the initiatives UDS has taken to support the green effort.
Locally obtained produce. Currently University Dining Services buys fresh, locally grown produce from our vendors who purchase directly from Peach Crest Farms in Stratford, Oklahoma; Perinniel Produce in Hinton, Oklahoma; and J & M Farms in Miami, Oklahoma. By buying local products from vendors, we improve the freshness of our products and at the same time reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollution from transportation.
Organic Options. After much research this summer UDS has started featuring organic items on campus. We currently offer organic mesclin salad mix, carrots and several grab-to-go organic salads. Other items include the Amy’s line of organic products, Seeds of Change, pasta sauces, canned products, beverages, frozen and fresh items. We will soon be featuring organic yogurt, cereal and grain bars as well as dried fruits. The popularity of the organic option on campus is increasing, starting with the Twenty Something convenience store during the fall 2008 semester. As the popularity continues to grow, we will be expanding organic options to other food venues on campus. Organic food options provide our students with healthy food choices. We also offer Fair Trade Certified coffee at our Seattle Best locations. To learn more about UDS's organic efforts, please click here.
Trayless Washing. Starting the week of October 20, UDS will be implementing Trayless Tuesdays in our all you can eat facilities at Bennett Hall and Adam’s Market. By foregoing cafeteria trays, we will support a more sustainable environment by eliminating unnecessary waste, and save both water and energy used in washing the trays. UDS will closely monitor the savings in food waste. To read more about the Trayless Tuesday initiative, please click here.
Oklahoma State Products. This semester UDS has partnered with Andrea Graves from the OSU Food and Agricultural Products Center (FAPC) to introduce new Oklahoma products in our dining services operations. Andrea has attended several of our production management meetings. These new items include cinnamon rolls, cookies and beef jerky which are found in our coffee and sandwich cafes as well as our convenience stores. Click here to read the October 3, 2009 Stillwater Newspress article.
Eco-Friendly Disposable Products. We are currently in the final stages of obtaining eco-friendly products in order to “Go Green” with our disposable products used in conjunction with Celebrations Catering. These products will include eco- friendly disposable silverware, cold and hot cups, plates and containers. UDS has been researching other possibilities in our retail operations in partnership with our vendors.
Convenience Stores. In our convenience stores we offer “go Green” eco-friendly cleaning products. UDS also has introduced cloth bags to purchase so students may choose to use those instead of plastic bags.
Education. UDS management staff recently attended a seminar sponsored by our prime source vendor on eco-friendly and sustainable choices for dining services.
Future Possibilities Under Investigation. UDS is researching the purchase of a can crusher for all the tin can products we use in our kitchen areas and then establish a process for their pickup and disposal. UDS is also exploring composting and having our own herb garden for catering.
Energy Efficiency. UDS explores efficient water and energy technologies when replacing existing equipment such as Energy Star rated or equivalent rated replacement equipment. We have purchased two air screen merchandisers with doors to reduce energy waste when the dining operation is closed.
Recycle. 
• UDS currently sorts cardboard in a separate dumpster at loading docks at our dining locations.
• Cooking oils are filtered once per day to extend the life of the oils used and, in some cases, filtered several times per day. UDS recycles waste oil for alternative fuels such as biodiesel through several professors and community contacts.
• UDS coordinates recycling of empty vending soda cans through Habitat for Humanity.