Community
UDS supports the principles described in the Central Rivers Farmshed's Pledge of Commitment found in the Farm Fresh Atlas. As much as possible, UDS will use these criteria to further develop our local foods program and forge new partnerships.
UDS asks that farms pledge they are:
- family or cooperatively owned.
- committed to reducing the application of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
- operated in such a way that protects and sustains the region's land and water resources.
- treating animals with care and respect.
- providing safe and fair working conditions for employees.
- selling products of Wisconsin that are grown on the farm, or that they helped produce.
UDS asks that businesses pledge they are:
- family or cooperatively owned, or are nonprofit organizations whose mission it is to promote a sustainable, regional food system.
- operated in such a way that protects and sustains the region's land and water resources.
- providing safe and fair working conditions for employees.
- selling products made by using raw materials grown on Wisconsin farms.
What UDS is doing:
- We support local businesses such as Earthcrust Bakery, Malek Family Farm, Screen Masters, Lowland Bison Ranch, Emy J's, Sonday Produce, Portesi Pizza, Heath Farms, Beltie Beef, Atomic Joe's, Nami Moom Farms, and Abbotsford Farms.
- UDS serves milk from Red Barn Dairy, which is the only American Humane-Certified dairy in the state. Not only is Red Barn Dairy dedicated to a high level of animal care and treatment, but the milk is certified rBGH-free.
- Abbotsford Farms is a network of over 150 farmers across the country, many of them being small farm owners. Abbotsford Farms are dedicated to supplying only top quality, natural value-added eggs, certified by American Humane.
- We develop client-specific catering menus based on seasonality and local availability of ingredients, including the option of organic, free-range products from local farms.
- UDS schedules regular trips to family farms and farmers' markets to promote student involvement in the local food marketplace.
- UDS is working to expand the opportunities for local farmers and businesses to market their products to the University community through a new on-campus farmers' market.
- We organized the Bike to Barn to Plate (B2B2P) charity bike ride. This is an annual charity bike ride that raises funds to purchase CSA chares from local farms which are then distributed by Operation Bootstrap to low-income families.
- UDS offers only socially responsible coffee in all our locations, and has partnered with Emy J's and Atomic Joe's Coffee for locally roasted coffee.
- We are working to educate students on the farm to plate movement.
- UDS also supports a high level of local environmental stewardship through recycling and composting initiatives.
UDS is proud to support the following local businesses:
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Resources
farmshed.orgCentral Rivers Farmshed is a growing movement in Central Wisconsin to build and strengthen relationships between local farms, restaurants, retailers, and consumers.
localharvest.org
The best organic food is what's grown closest to you. Use this website to find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area.
farmtoschool.org
Farm to School connects schools (K-12) and local farms with the objectives of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition, and supporting local and regional farmers.