Food
Find these healthy, delicious, and sustainable food options and projects on campus.
Grind2Energy Systems
Kent State's Grind2Energy systems diverts hundreds of pounds of food waste from the landfill everyday. Kent State has partnered with InSinkErator® through the implementation of Grind2Energy®, an organics recovery process that converts food waste to renewable energy. This forward-thinking approach allows us to significantly decrease our impact on the environment while creating renewable energy for the communities we serve. Pre and post-consumer food waste from Kent State is ground on-site using a customized, industrial-strength foodservice grinder. Food waste is converted into energy-rich slurry and transported to an anaerobic digestion facility where methane is extracted for energy production. The remaining biosolids become nutrient-rich fertilizer.
Sustainability initiatives from Dining Services
- Responsible Sourcing: we purchase local, seasonal and responsibly raised, grown and sourced products whenever possible.
- KSU enters into partnership with Humane Society to increase plant-based options year-over-year for the next 3 years
- DI-Hub Grind2Energy Anaerobic Digester
- Eastway Grind2Energy Anaerobic Digester
- OZZI O2GO container program
- Reusable bottles
- $0.99 refills on coffee and tea when you use a reusable mug or tumbler
- Chinaware available
Learn more about Sustainability in Dining
Gluten Free, Local, Organic, Vegan, Vegetarian, Mindful
- Dining Services Dietary Considerations
- Wide Array of Vegan and Vegetarian Options available at all Campus Dining Locations
Tips to eat greener
- Dine in, and use china wherever possible
- Eat with your stomach, not your eyes, to reduce the amount of food wasted each day
- Recycle! Look for recycling bins at each dining location
- Use a KSU Dining mug, reusable water bottle, or reusable serviceware
- Kent State Employee Wellness Healthy Recipes
Food Donation
- Each year from spring break through move-out, nearly 100,000 pounds of non-perishable food, clothes, rugs, furniture and other items are donated by residence hall students via the Throw ‘n’ Go program, benefiting Portage Family and Community Services.
Throw 'n' Go
Food staples available for free to students in need
- The Pantry at the KSU Women's Center serves all students in need of emergency food assistance. The food pantry is open to any Kent State student who is currently enrolled in classes. It is also available to any current faculty and staff. The food pantry is located at the Williamson House, 1200 Main Street. Campus community members in need of emergency food assistance should visit the pantry during open hours and a volunteer will be there to assist.
Women’s Center Pantry - Office of the Dean of Students' Satellite Food Pantry
Preparing meals for individuals in need through social service programs:
- Campus Kitchen Project Student volunteers use donated surplus food to prepare and serve meals to more than 300 individuals in need each week who are serviced by Kent Social Services, Center of Hope, Upper Room Ministries and Springtime of Hope.
Switching to Flashes Fighting Hunger
Campus Kitchen Project Video Volunteer with Campus Kitchen
Campus Gardens
Kent State has two campus gardens. The Food Insecurity Garden is located behind Nixson Hall and maintained by the Nutrition and Dietetics faculty and students. Food from this garden is donated to Portage County children’s meals during times they are not receiving food provided through the National School Lunch Program, via Might Pack Program. Another garden is located behind DeWeese Health Center. The DeWeese Health Center’s Wellness Committee accomplished one of its wellness initiatives of creating a community garden focused on growing fresh produce, learning best-practice gardening techniques and managing stress through connection with nature.
DEWEESE HEALTH CENTER COMMUNITY GARDEN
EZ H2O Water Bottle Filling Stations
Water bottle filling stations around campus make refilling water bottles faster and easier.