Cornell Dining is not just about providing quality food and service to our costumers. We are also committed to operate as a sustainable enterprise and being a active partner in the local community.

From composting to recycling, Cornell Dining strives to be an environmental leader on the Cornell University campus. On a daily basis, Dining and Retail Services employees collect scraps in plastic barrels that are picked up by Farm Services employees using a pick-up truck with a sealed dump body. The scraps are mixed with agricultural compost material, and windrowed on a compacted gravel pad with a runoff collection pond. This program composts over 350 tons of pre and post consumer food waste annually. Consequently, reducing waste and generating valuable compost that replaces chemical fertilizers and enhances the soil.

Cornell Dining is also an active partner in the local farming community. Through our Local Food Growers Initiative, Cornell Dining has developed relationships with local growers which has led to an increase in the overall percentage of locally grown food that Cornell Dining purchases.

For more information on Cornell Dining's and other Cornell Organizations Community efforts review the Features sub sites on this page.