Fall means a fresh semester at Emory — and it also brings fresh opportunities to remind people of the many available sustainable options across campus.
In recent weeks, community members enjoyed the beloved Sustainable Food Fair, which is nearly two decades old, and the third-annual Sustainable Transportation Fair. The Office of Sustainability Initiatives (OSI) works with campus partners to host both events (and others throughout the year) to highlight how students, staff and faculty can contribute to a more sustainable community.
The Sustainable Transportation Fair
In September, Emory’s Transportation and Parking Services and OSI hosted the Sustainable Transportation Fair. More than 30 organizations were featured, highlighting the increasing array of sustainable transportation options available. Participants could ride an e-bike, talk to public transit providers like MARTA, learn about EV charging and check out the new vehicles available for vanpool.
Attendees learned about Georgia organizations championing sustainable commuting options. Bike Law, Emory Bike Social, and the Centers for Disease Control Cyclist Network advocate for cyclists while Passio Technologies and Commute with Enterprise provide intelligent transportation systems for shuttles and bus fleets, encouraging public transit.
Government agencies, such as the Atlanta Department of Transportation and Georgia Commute Options, and nonprofits, such as the Sierra Club Transportation Committee, Connect the Comet and Georgia Power Electric Transportation, were also present.
Learn more about the fair vendors on the Transportation & Parking Services website.
The Sustainable Food Fair
October brought the Sustainable Food Fair, where eating and education were the stars. Attendees learned about sustainable food organizations, listened to student performers and tasted delicious free food from Emory’s gardens and local providers.
Students in Simona Muratore’s Sustainable Food Fair course organize the event each year. The event is sponsored by the Emory College of Arts and Sciences, Emory Dining, the Department of French and Italian and OSI.
The fair centered on what students learn about food systems in the class. Asbury Walk was lined with tables featuring displays about different food products and their impacts on human and environmental health.
In addition, student organizations such as Sunrise Emory, Plant Futures Initiative and Plastic Free Emory hosted educational tables on sustainable living and dining. OSI discussed Emory’s sustainable food initiatives and the university’s multiple subsequent top 10 rankings by the Sustainable Campus Index.
As a hands-on approach to the educational elements, delectable dishes were also served. Emory’s food service management company, Bon Appétit, delivered freshly baked shiitake mushroom focaccia and the Oxford Organic Farm and Emory’s Educational Gardens brought fresh, seasonal produce.
Farmers Market favorites like Xocolatl’s small batch chocolate, Blue Donkey’s coffee, and Garnish and Gather’s halloumi and turmeric rice were also available.