Environmental Stewardship Award
National Teach-In On Climate Change
Food is an important part of our daily lives and it is also an important component in sustainability. What it is, where it is produced, how it is processed, and the distance it traveled to be on one’s plate are all factors that have a significant impact on the food’s quality, nutritional value, and its environmental footprint.
The state of Illinois and McLean County in particular, has some of the richest farmland in the world. According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, nearly 80% of the state’s total land area is involved in agricultural production. Despite these facts, 90% of the food consumed in Illinois is imported from other states and countries.
In an effort to raise awareness about the social and environmental benefits of local foods, Campus Dining Services and the Green Team teamed up for two local food related events:
On Monday, September 15th at 7pm in the Normal Theater there was a screening of the documentary The Future of Food. This eventwas free and open to the public. It was supported by a grant from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program. Following the film was a panel discussion of community members involved in various efforts to create a viable local foods system in Central Illinois.
Campus Dining Services hosted a Local Food Dinner in the Linkins Dining Center on September 23rd. Attendees at this event enjoyed a deliciously diverse menu of local foods.
Food for the dinner came from some of the following local farms:
