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Dining Services Presents: A Bug Feast

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JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT POP-UP DINNER!

What has more bioavailable iron than sirloin steak? Well, it turns out it is crickets according to a recent study. Questions about the nutritional value of insects have become common as we search for alternative sustainable sources of protein. Insects are not a bad option considering that we have at least 1,959 species of edible insects recorded around the world and they are indeed a popular food in many countries. Insects contain all essential amino acids and are loaded with vitamins and minerals. Mass rearing of insects for food can have a smaller environmental footprint due to their high reproductive rates and high feed-to-edible tissue conversion rates. Another reason to try insects – they are tasty! The diversity in edible insect types goes hand in hand with the assortment of flavors they provide. Come join UConn Dining Services and Professor Ana Legrand for an insect themed meal at Rome Hall and try a new food that in fact has been part of the human diet since ancient times.

If you and your friends are interested in enjoying a one of a kind experience, stop by the Union Central Exchange Convenience Store, on the second floor of the Student Union overlooking the Food Court. There you can sign up for Dining Services’ Pop-Up Dinner which will be held on Tuesday, March 12th at 6:00pm in Rome Commons Ballroom. Seating is limited to the first 100 guests. Reservations must be made by Friday, March 8th.This meal is free for those who want to sample a dinner of sustainable, high proteins and tasty food groups.

 

ALLERGY INFORMATION: If you are allergic to shellfish or crustaceans, you may also be allergic to insects.

Weather Closings at Dining Services

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Due to the cancellation of classes beginning at noon, the Food for Thought Food Truck will not be running today. Also, UC Cafes (Bookworms, Wilbur’s, Up&Atom, Chem, and the Beanery) will be closing at 12:30pm. Please visit Union Street Market in the Student Union.

The truck will be back on Fairfield way this Thursday, February 14th from 11:00am – 2:00pm. UC Cafes will re-open Wednesday at 7:30am.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Dining Services to End Use of Plastic Bags

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The University of Connecticut’s Department of Dining Services will be eliminating the use of plastic bags in its retail and grab & go venues. Effective, Monday, January 21st UConn Dining will discontinue the use of plastic shopping bags in support of the university’s ongoing sustainable efforts.   

This initiative, to discontinue the use of plastic shopping bags, was jump started by a subcommittee of UConnPIRG, a student run, nonprofit organization on the UConn Campus.  Their campaign, to phase out the use of plastic bags, was supported by student surveys and petitions. Beyond policy work, PIRG’s zero waste committee enhanced student awareness regarding the pitfalls of single-use plastics through educational lectures and movie screenings. These initiatives highlighted the deleterious impact of plastic bags on both environmental and public health.

Dining Services will be discontinuing the use of plastic bags in all of their retail operations as well as in their Grab & Go’s. In place of the use of the former plastic bag UConn Dining will be offering a brown paper, 100% recyclable and reusable bag at the cost of ten cents each. In addition, Dining will be offering reusable pocket size shopping bags for sale at cost at the Union Central Exchange located in the Student Union.

Dining Services will also be working with UConn PIRG this semester to establish drop off containers so that paper bags may be recycled utilized by other consumers at no cost to them.

 

 

For more information, read the story in UConn Today:

https://today.uconn.edu/2019/01/dining-services-ends-use-plastic-bags/