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UH Dining Services launches food donation program
University of Houston Dining Services has partnered with Food
Donation Connection (FDC), a national network that serves as a
liaison between food service organizations and restaurants and
social service agencies, to help feed the hungry by facilitating
the safe donation of wholesome prepared food to local non-profit
organizations. Beginning this fall, surplus food prepared by UH
Dining Services will now benefit The Covenant House.
A study done by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in
2010 found that more than 34 million tons of food waste was
generated nationwide, more than any other material category but
paper. As is the case with virtually all large-scale dining
operations, food commissaries or buffet-type restaurants,
surpluses of prepared foods are inevitable despite even the most
careful menu planning. UH Dining Services has partnered with FDC
to implement a food donation program on UH’s campus to ensure
that excess food reaches those in need within the local
community.
“We are excited to partner with the Food Donation Connection to
provide safe, wholesome food to our local community,” said Geoff
Herbert, director of operations for UH Dining Services. “While
we utilize food production systems that minimize food waste,
there is inevitably some surplus food remaining each day. Now it
can be safely donated to support those in need.”
UH's Food Donation Program developed in conjunction with Food
Donation Connection ensures that all of the food donated to
local agencies meets stringent food safety and quality
standards. All donated food items are frozen prior to transport,
so local hunger-relief agencies can distribute the food based on
their specific schedules. In addition to identifying a local
agency approved by the health department, FDC supports location
management and provides donation tracking reports.
For more information about UH Dining Services, visit
www.uh.edu/dining or
www.fb.me/uhdining.
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