FarmEcology - Local Food for U of Penn Students

Penn students are taking an active role in bringing local foods into their dining halls ... one shining example is FarmEcology which connects the schools with local farms ... and has spread to other colleges and universities.

" ... FarmEcology is a student-initiated endeavor that is raising awareness and educating Penn's campus about the benefits of local foods. ... co-founders, Emma Kirwan and Rachel Meyer, spent the past semester exploring and researching opportunities for connecting the University with local farms, contacting regional food experts for advice, and researching similar programs that are developing across the country at similar institutions."

" ... Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, and Yale are all in various stages of planning or have already implemented local food programs in campus-run dining halls. ... FarmEcology is one step in an overall University effort to continue a "green campaign" which was launched in 2002 with the purchase of wind energy."

Via: University of Pennsylvania FarmEcology LINK

Penn Class of 2010 Graduates to Wear Gowns Made of Recycled Plastic Bottles

Penns graduating class of 2010 wilkl be wearing gowns made of 100% post consumer recycled plastic bottles. Each gown requires approx. 23 bottles.

" ... GreenWeaver line ... Oak Hall Cap & Gown ... is Penn’s latest greening effort."

“Penn will begin this academic year announcing our Climate Action Plan, the long-range strategy to reduce our carbon footprint ... to partner with vendors that promote eco-friendly options. ...culminate a year focused on sustainability ... wearing gowns made from recycled materials.”

" ... fabric ... spun from molten plastic pellets, ... Recycled plastic bottles are already used to make sweatshirts and other clothing, the company said, and the result is apparel virtually indistinguishable in color, feel or fit from traditional polyester material."

"For every gown purchased, Oak Hall ... will make a contribution to a campus environmental group. At Penn, the contributions will be designated for the University’s Green Fund."


Via: University of Pennsylvania LINK

University of Pennsylvania Green Dining Options

The University of Pennsylvania supports green in the dining plan options and is looking to bring more sustainability to the meal plan with student interns in the dining area.

" ... seeking students to continue the work of previous interns, with sustainability in mind. ... variety of tasks, ranging from promoting special events to updating the Penn Dining Web site. ... position "encourages the knowledge of sustainability" in order to fashion marketing strategies and promote dining's environmentally-friendly initiatives."

Via: University of Pennsylvania LINK