4.27.2011

Earth Week 2011 Success

Here's a quick run-down of the major Earth Week events of which Dining was a part -- the highlight is the slew of photos (I took a good number of them, and Sue Collins and Amber Wilson contributed some of the Farm to Fork shots, and Caroline McCraw took all of the Green Reception pictures)!

•Monday: Sustainability Art Exhibit
The kick-off event for Earth Week was an art exhibit opening and reception at the recently renovated Student Activities Center in Newcomb Hall. UVa Dining sponsored refreshments and staffed a Sustainable Dining display, complete with a photo collage and the interactive “What’s Most Important To Me?” board. Exhibit attendees also had the opportunity to enter into the Farm to Fork Raffle for the chance to win a seat at Friday’s Farm to Fork Luncheon.





•Wednesday: Student Council Green Reception
The Student Council Environmental Sustainability Committee hosted its 3rd annual Green Reception during Earth Week, which provides an opportunity for students to mingle informally with sustainability staff. Dining co-sponsored the refreshments, serving local and artisan cheeses and iced tea. CSA farmer Jamie Barrett of Bellair (and of Dining's Logistics of Local panel!) was invited to speak to those in attendance and briefly shared his experience as a producer in the regional foodshed.







•Thursday: UVa Eco-Fair
UVa Dining helped to coordinate a UVa-wide Eco-Fair on the Thursday of Earth Week, which involved several dozen UVa departments and a number of community vendors like Habitat for Humanity and the Charlottesville Area Transit Service. Dining’s booth was staffed with student Dining Educators that handed out sustainable dining brochures, Monterey Bay seafood pocket guides, reusable mug punch cards, and free samples of organic granola and fair trade chocolate (sold in one of Dining’s retail locations). Other fair highlights included a smoothie bike – people pedaled on a stationary bike that was rigged to spin a blender on the back – and a tap water taste test.






•Friday: Farm to Fork Luncheon
UVa Dining capped off the week with a Farm to Fork Luncheon, featuring a menu of entirely local foods, and the chance to learn more about Charlottesville’s local food scene with remarks by representatives from the Local Food Hub and a local grass-fed beef operation. The luncheon was attended by students, faculty and staff, who, in addition to the meal itself, received free UVa Sustainability t-shirts and first shot at signing up for the upcoming tour at the Local Food Hub educational farm.


Some feedback:
“Did I mention the food at the luncheon was incredible?! You did such a great job with that event.“ UVa Sustainability Staff member

"I felt honored to be included. The food was delicious!!” UVa Faculty member

CBS19 even showed up and covered the luncheon:



More shots of the food and guests:




























Bravo to all that made this 2011 Earth Week such a success! And thanks to everyone for participating.

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