At Vanderbilt Dining, we take responsibility for doing our part to support the well being of our guests and for supporting the health of our environment. Our Eat the World, Save the Earth program is designed to give you information about our kitchen principles and how they affect your environment, community and well being.

Components of the program include:

• Dining Advisory Committee - comprised of students, university staff and dining staff to address all aspects of our dining program
• Easy reference guide to icons defining food choices such as organic, vegetarian, vegan, etc.
• Corresponding icons at the food stations
• Nutrition Calculator on our web site
• Staff Registered Dietitian
• Training for our entire staff

Vanderbilt Dining recognizes the great power and importance of FOOD. Food brings people together, CREATES a sense of place and a feeling of KINSHIP. Food sustains not only our bodies but also our communities and environment.

Our Kitchen Principles

The following standards have been created for well being of our guests:

• Menus are seasonal and regional
• Vegetarian entree is available at each meal
• Healthy nutritional choices offered at each meal
• Vanderbilt Dining serves all-natural deli meat
• We use 100% canola oil in all fryers & oil is recycled
• Our coffee is organic, local, and fair trade in all of our restaurants
• Paper containers are recyclable
• Plastic cups are recyclable
• We buy locally bottled water
• Our salsa is a local "Pick Tennessee" product
• Management staff is ServSafe certified
• Our Varsity Markets sell organic products
• Cookies and muffins are baked fresh
• MSG is never allowed

Eat the World, Save the Earth Icons
ORGANIC: Contains at least 95% organically produced ingredients (be weight) from a USDA certified source	LOCAL: Contains ingredients purchased from a local company or farm
VEGETARIAN: Contains no meat, fish, poultry, shellfish, or products derived from these sources but may contain dairy or eggs	FAIR TRADE: Contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers
VEGAN: Contains absolutely no ingredients from animal or dairy products	RECYCLE: Made from materials that are 100% recyclable