Education and Outreach
Education and Outreach
Education is central to Campus Dining’s sustainability mission. Beyond serving meals, we see ourselves as educators and partners in helping students understand where food comes from and how food choices shape environmental, social, and economic outcomes.
Through hands-on learning, campus partnerships, and community engagement, Campus Dining creates opportunities for students to connect with the food system that supports them every day.
Learning Through Experience
Campus Dining supports a wide range of educational opportunities through internships, volunteer positions, and student employment. These roles provide hands-on experience in culinary skills, menu development, permaculture gardening, nutrition education, and sustainable food procurement.
Students gain practical, career-ready skills while contributing meaningfully to campus operations. These experiences help bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world food system work.
Supporting Academic Programs
Campus Dining works closely with the Montana Dietetic Internship Program, which offers a concentration in sustainable food systems. Through this partnership, interns gain direct exposure to institutional foodservice operations, procurement strategies, and sustainability initiatives.
By integrating academic programs with dining operations, we help students explore food systems from multiple perspectives, including nutrition, agriculture, and sustainability leadership.
Food System Education Across Campus
Campus Dining collaborates closely with the 91次元 Office of Sustainability to promote food system literacy across campus. Through the Sustainability Sentinel Program, students and staff learn about topics such as local food systems, waste reduction, and sustainable eating habits.
Campus Dining also serves on the 91次元 Campus Sustainability Committee, helping guide sustainability initiatives and expand educational outreach across the university.
Bringing Food Education to Students
Campus Dining regularly engages students through pop-up events held in The Lodge Dining Center and on the UM Oval. These events highlight local products, feature seasonal ingredients, and provide opportunities for students to learn directly from Campus Dining staff and local producers.
Whether it is a taste test of locally grown produce or a conversation about sourcing practices, these moments help bring transparency and excitement to the food on students’ plates.
Regional and Community Partnerships
Beyond the 91次元, Campus Dining is actively engaged in strengthening regional food systems. We work closely with organizations such as the Pacific Northwest Food Hub Network, Mission West Community Development Partners, and the Montana Food Hub Network.
Through participation in working groups and collaborative projects, Campus Dining shares institutional procurement experience to support other universities, hospitals, and K–12 schools in expanding local food purchasing across Montana.
By connecting education, food, and community, Campus Dining helps students understand the impact of their choices while building skills and relationships that last far beyond their time at the 91次元.