What’s Happening

What is a seasonal food? The Massachusetts growing season is from May to November. Between those months, farmers from the Berkshires to Boston are working hard to grow, process, and sell their fruits and vegetables. Seasonal foods are bought and consumed near the time that they are harvested. Why eat seasonally? Food that is eaten

On September 18th, UMass Dining hosted its first Dining for A Cooler Planet event of the Fall 2024 semester. Dining for a Cooler Planet is an educational event series highlighting a diverse array of food system practices that reduce carbon emissions and respond to climate change. In the past, events have showcased local farmer stories,

Reducing food waste and loss is essential to achieving a sustainable future aligning directly with UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. This goal emphasizes the need to halve global food waste per capita at the retail and consumer levels and to reduce food losses along production and supply chains by 2030.

In an era where sustainability is paramount, technological advancements play a crucial role in reshaping our world. UN Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG 9) emphasizes the importance of building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation. rStream, a waste robotics startup, is at the forefront of this transformation with its AI and

In an era marked by rapid globalization and evolving challenges, Goal 9 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aims at constructing resilient infrastructure, fostering sustainable industrialization, and nurturing innovation, this goal embodies the essence of inclusive and sustainable development. Economic growth, social progress, and environmental sustainability are all linked to investments in infrastructure, industrial development,

Daniel Lemos  Since the fall of 2022, I’ve been immersed in the world of food waste reduction as a Food Waste Coordinator at the dining halls of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, working closely with the Leanpath system. Our primary mission has been to tackle food waste head-on by instilling a culture of accountability among

What is Earth Day?  The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970, celebrating the achievements of the environmental movement and raising awareness for conservation efforts. Today, over a billion people celebrate Earth Day around the world. Many Earth-focused events are happening all week around campus, check them out here.   What’s happening on Campus? 

What is Causing Bee Losses?  In the winter alone, beekeepers usually lose up to 20% of their colony. Although that may sound alarming, some beekeepers–like UMass Dining’s local partner, Red Barn Honey–say that “if you’re not losing bees, you’re not keeping bees.” That is, bee populations will naturally fluctuate over time. Besides overwinter deaths, bee

  What is Pollination?   Pollen is a powder-like substance that many plants produce for reproduction. You may already be familiar with pollen if you are part of the 25.7% of adults who experience seasonal pollen allergies–especially during the spring. Pollination is the process by which pollinators, such as honeybees, butterflies, bats, and birds, deposit pollen

As environmentalists, it is safe to say that the global environment is currently changing. From warmer temperatures to overfishing, our decisions have an impact on the world. This defines the core basis of planetary health.   Planetary Health is the health of human civilization and the state of the natural systems on which it depends. Planetary