Food and Dining
What Does Sustainable Food Mean?
Every bite taken is an opportunity to create a food system that does more than just fill our bellies. Whether it’s choosing to serve sustainable meals, conserving water and energy in our kitchens, or reducing post-consumer wastes, we can improve our environmental impact every day. Historically, students have driven this process by voicing their opinion via dining surveys, feedback cards, sitting in food committees, and even creating referenda.
How we support sustainable food:
- Support of 34 local farmers, bakers, roasters, processors, etc.
- Ecologically-sound growing methods
- Humanely-raised animal products
- Worker’s rights are respected, living wages are paid on time, and working conditions are safe
The Harvest Room
Located in Reeve Union, The Harvest Room grows a significant amount of lettuce consumed on campus (over 300 lbs per month). We also will grow fresh herbs, including basil, parsley and cilantro.
Supporters like The Green Fund, Midwest Foods and Fork Farms have helped The Harvest Room expand over the past years. The operation is fully sustainable, overseen by university and student staff.
Local Sourcing
Click the map to see some local vendors.
By producing our own bakery items on campus, we can ensure fresh, out of the oven baked goods from scratch with no distance shipping of the product. Reeve Union and University Dining works hand-in-hand with other local businesses to provide students with fresh and local produce. View a list of products that are bought locally and are used throughout Blackhawk Commons and Reeve Marketplace.
OZZI program
- Introduced by The Green Fund, the Ozzi Program helps reduce the number of single-use containers in Reeve Marketplace. Patrons can opt to use a reusable Ozzi container at Clash Burger, Chilaca and Grains & Greens. Once finished with their meal, the container is returned to a receptacle to be washed and reused.
- Other sustainable options in dining:
- Blackhawk Commons is trayless and primarily uses dishware and silverware, to reduce waste.
- Silverware is available in Reeve Marketplace.
- All dining locations use compostable paper products, where possible.
Fair Trade
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh was the first campus in the U. S. declared a Fair Trade University, in 2008!
Fair trade is a system of international trade that works for financial security, social justice, and environmental stewardship for growers and producers in the developing world. Here is a list of dining areas on campus that provide Fair Trade products: Blackhawk Commons, Reeve Marketplace, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Reeve Coffee House and all the other to-go locations on campus serve Fair Trade Certified coffee, tea and sugar. Corner Convenience Store: Chocolate. University Books and More: jewelry, arts and crafts.
The Cabinet ~ Food Pantry
Regular Pantry Hours:
Check out Reeve’s Building Hours for up-to-date information
Holidays and Interims: *subject to change*
Online Ordering
The Cabinet has options for online ordering for easy access and pickup! Simply fill out the online Order Request Form and follow the directions given (hours for pickup may differ from pantry hours).
How can I use the pantry?
The Cabinet is located in the Reeve Memorial Union, next to The Titan Underground (TUG). Oshkosh campus students can use the pantry once a week. Students must bring their TitanCard. Students can also submit an Online Food Pantry Request if they cannot make it in-person.
Once inside the pantry, a pantry staff member will check students in with their TitanCard. Students will then be giving a bag to shop with (you are welcome to bring your own). Students will then be notified of the weekly food limits that they are allowed to take. Once shopping is complete, students will then check-out with the pantry staff. Students are then welcome to come back the following week!
How can I donate?
Donations are welcome! You can drop off any donations at the Cabinet during its open hours. Donations can, also, be dropped off at the OSA Office, located in the Reeve Union, R208C. A donation box is, also, located next to the Titan Central Desk and is available during the Reeve Union’s open building hours. For those looking to donate, below is a Wish List of items the program is looking for.
The OSA thanks you for your participation and giving!
For any questions or concerns about the donations or drop-off locations, please contact our Food Pantry Director at foodpantry@uwosh.edu.
For other questions or concerns, please contact the OSA Office: (920) 424-3202; osa@uwosh.edu.
Are there volunteer opportunities at The Cabinet?
The Cabinet is always looking for volunteers to help serve students in-person and collect online orders. It’s a great way to get service hours, meet people and make a difference in the campus community! Contact our Food Pantry Director at foodpantry@uwosh.edu if you’d like to learn more about volunteering.
Sustainability Plan
See our Campus Sustainability Plan to discover more about what we’ve accomplished so far and what we are still working on in our campus food system.
Sustainability Institute for Regional Transformations
UW Oshkosh
800 Algoma Blvd.
Oshkosh, WI 54901
