Oftentimes, we hear about solar power and agriculture competing for scarce land resources. However, the evidence suggests that these two can co-exist and even be mutually beneficial to one another. Agrivoltaics is the dual-use of land for agriculture and solar photovoltaic energy generation. Although primarily used for crop production, solar grazing is a variation where livestock graze in and around solar […]
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At its core, Sustainable Development Goal 2 aims to end hunger, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. It calls on institutions, governments, and communities to work together so that everyone can access safe, nutritious food every day. But SDG 2 is more than ending hunger. It includes: At UMass Amherst, we’re working toward SDG 2 from multiple angles: through food access,
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We’re excited to share Data for People and the Planet: Moving Towards Thriving, the first-ever UMass Dining Sustainability Annual Report. This report highlights a year of collaboration, celebration, and impact, from the relaunch of the Food Recovery Network and new partnerships with local farms and food innovators, to advances in low carbon and climate-conscious dining. Explore
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Event Recap On November 4th, UMass Dining held its second Dining for a Cooler Planet event of the semester. The event, What Indigenous Foodways Teach Us About Climate Action, featured a menu by James Beard semifinalist and member of the Penobscot Nation, Joe Robbins. Robbins sat down with UMass’s own Rachel Sayet, an educator in
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Student Auxiliary Sustainability Communications Intern The UMass Auxiliary Sustainability department is in the midst of several exciting projects and is continuously working to expand and improve our efforts. An important component of this work is related to our campus food systems. The Communications Intern will play a key role in storytelling, communications, and community engagement
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This Thanksgiving, celebrate what matters most: good food, good company, and the farmers and chefs who make it all possible. With UMass Fresh, you can bring home a holiday dinner prepared by our award-winning UMass Dining chefs, featuring ingredients sourced from farms right here in the Pioneer Valley. Each dish is made with care, rooted in the same sustainability
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Farmer Spotlight As the owner of Atlas Farm, Gideon Porth is part of a growing community of local agricultural producers working to connect people to their food sources. What started as a 2.5-acre plot has grown over 20 years into 120 acres of organic, sustainably managed farmland. The operation includes production fields, greenhouses, staff housing, packing facilities, a main office,
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Clean water is one of our planet’s most essential resources. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) focuses on ensuring clean water and sanitation for all. Here at UMass Amherst, we’re doing our part through responsible operations, research, and innovation. Green Cleaning at UMass Dining UMass Dining supports SDG 6 through the Cleaning Cost Analysis
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – Every Drop Counts Read More »
Did you know that 1 in 3 college students experiences food insecurity? At UMass, we believe that everyone should have access to food, which is why the campus joined forces with the Amherst Survival Center to open an on-campus food pantry for members of the UMass community earlier this fall. The Food Pantry resembles a
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Event Recap On September 24th, UMass Dining Sustainability hosted the first Dining for a Cooler Planet event of the Fall 2025 semester. The event, ‘Feeding the future: innovation, equity, and climate resilience in the food system,’ brought together an all-women panel of local food system leaders to discuss pressing issues within agriculture. Panelists shared stories
At UMass Amherst, sustainability isn’t just a goal–it’s something we’re actively working toward every day. When it comes to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, UMass Dining is supporting campus-wide efforts that move us closer to a future powered by renewable energy. The Carbon Zero Path Reaching carbon zero on a
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Farmer Spotlight From pie to cider donuts, no New England fall is complete without apples. It’s only fitting, then, to start this year’s Farmer Spotlight campaign with Apex Orchards. Located in Shelburne Falls, MA, Apex Orchards has been farmed by Tim Smith and his family for seven generations. Over the past few years, Tim has
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On April 17, 2025, the Hampshire Dining Commons at UMass Amherst was transformed into a hub of culinary inspiration and ecological insight, thanks to a visit from award-winning chef and sustainability advocate Barton Seaver. The event, centered on sustainable seafood, offered students and guests not just an exquisite meal, but also an eye-opening discussion on
Sustainable, Accessible, and Brain Healthy Seafood with Chef Barton Seaver Read More »
In today’s rapidly evolving world, energy is at the core of almost every aspect of our daily lives. From powering homes to fueling industries and technologies, energy is the backbone of modern civilization. However, not everyone has equal access to reliable and sustainable energy sources. This is where SDG Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
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What is a CSA? Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, is a production and marketing model where consumers pay a sum of money at the start of a growing season in exchange for regular shares of fresh farm goods once harvesting begins. This model helps farmers cover upfront costs like seeds, tools, and infrastructure at the
