Ivy League Schools Hold Real Food Summit

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Representatives from Yale, Harvard, Brown, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth and Princeton gathered to discuss university food issues at the Real Food Summit held at Yale University on February 12th. Each of the universities are actively involved in providing local sustainably grown food to their student body. UPenn and Harvard are planning their first student run gardens and Dartmouth already has a student run organic farm which provides 4 percent of the university’s food requirements. At Princeton almost half of the food purchased is produced within 200 miles of the university and Yale has an on-campus organic farm and sustainable dining program.

At the summit the university representatives discussed existing food programs as well as possibilities for the future. Representatives were enthusiastic about creating a network amongst the universities and sharing ideas about sustainability on an ongoing basis. Another summit is already planned for Fall 2010, where representatives from each university will discuss their progress.
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Vancouver’s Olympic Village Gets 3.5 Acre Rooftop Garden

Friday, February 5th, 2010

The new $1 billion Olympic Village in Vancouver features 22 rooftop gardens in total, designed to absorb heat in the summer “reducing the heat-island effect buildings can have in a city, adding to pollution and climate change”. The LEED Gold certified facility is considered one of “the most lavishly landscaped, environmentally-friendly developments in Canada”. A large area will be planted with sedum which is known for absorbing heat and CO2, and is drought tolerant. The sedums were grown on mats and then rolled out on the rooftop over roof soil. Other roofs will feature herbs and vegetables grown in concrete beds. The gardens were also designed as social spaces and feature patios, decks and courtyard gardens to accomodate visitors.
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Brooklyn College Creates New Garden

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Brooklyn College is creating a new garden which is intended to serve a “broad spectrum of academic and sustainability initiatives for faculty and students”. The local community will also be invited to plant on individual plots. The objective is to embrace the surrounding community by inviting them to utilize the college grounds, while allowing faculty and students to explore issues surrounding health, nutrition, and organic and sustainable farming.
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