Sustainability

Dining

Our Commitments

Culinary Excellence

At Wake Forest, we believe every meal should be delicious, nutritious, and thoughtfully crafted. Our dedicated Deacon Dining culinary team, from executive chefs to front-line staff, strives for excellence in every dish, ensuring an exceptional dining experience for all.

Plant-Forward Menus

Deacon Dining recognizes the powerful impact food choices have on the environment. By placing plant-based foods at the center of our menus, we actively support climate mitigation while introducing our guests to a diverse and exciting range of flavors.

Here’s how we do it:

• “Plants First” Approach: In both dining halls and catered events, plant-based options are featured first, followed by hearty grains and smaller portions of animal-based proteins.
• Creative, Plant-Forward Recipes: Our chefs craft vibrant, flavorful dishes that highlight the variety and richness of plant-based ingredients.
• Support for Biodiversity: We source a wide selection of fruits and vegetables to promote agricultural diversity and seasonal eating.

Through these efforts, we aim to create meals that are not only better for the planet, but also create a more inclusive and flavorful dining experience for all.

Sustainable Sourcing

Deacon Dining is proud to source at least 30% of our food from vendors with trusted third-party certifications. This commitment aligns with sustainability standards set by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) through their STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) framework. These certifications are verified by independent organizations to ensure transparency and responsible practices in food production.

Our Most Common Certified Products:

• Murray’s Chicken: Certified Humane 
• Joyce Farm’s Chicken: GAP Step 4 
• Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative: USDA Organic 
• Brasstown Beef: GAP Step 4 
• Joyce Beef: GAP Step 4 
• Joyce Pork: Animal Welfare Approved 
• Niman Ranch Pork: Certified Humane 
• Sixty South Salmon: Aquaculture Stewardship Council 
• J Caught Scallops: Marine Stewardship Council
• Stonyfield Yogurt: USDA Organic 
• South Mountain Creamery Eggs: Certified Humane 
• Tractor Beverage: USDA Organic
• Carolina Coffee: Fair Trade Certified  

*our third-party certified products and partnerships change according to our needs and strategy. For a full list of our current certified products, please reach out to dining@wfu.edu

Food Waste Reduction

Minimizing food waste is one of the most effective ways to combat climate change, and at Wake Forest, it starts well before meals reach your plate.

Here’s how Deacon Dining leads the way:

• Smart Planning: We order strategically and design menus to use ingredients at their peak freshness.
• Creative Cooking: Our chefs embrace whole-ingredient recipes that make use of overlooked cuts of meat, imperfect produce, and edible plant parts.
• Guest Satisfaction: We focus on serving delicious meals in appropriate portions to enhance guest satisfaction and reduce plate waste.

By taking these proactive steps, we’re making sustainability a daily part of campus dining.

Our Commitments

Wake Forest University’s Transportation & Parking Services is committed to sustainability through a comprehensive approach to alternative transit. Our goal is to reduce single-occupancy vehicle use and support a cleaner, more connected campus.

Alternative Transportation

Options: From car-sharing and carpool programs to a robust Wake Line, including fixed routes, on-demand rides, and airport shuttles, we offer flexible solutions for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Electric vehicle charging stations are also available across campus

Route Optimization

Smarter Routes, Lower Emissions: We use route optimization strategies to reduce travel time, cut emissions, and improve fuel efficiency, saving both energy and resources.

Vehicle Fleet

Right-Sized Fleet: Our vehicle fleet is tailored to fit actual campus needs. By avoiding overcapacity and underutilization, we reduce fuel use and lower maintenance costs.

Collaboration Efforts

Collaborative Commitment: We partner with internal campus groups and regional organizations like the Piedmont Triad Regional TDM Council to expand education and promote transportation demand management initiatives that make sustainable commuting easier for everyone.

Together, we’re creating a greener path forward, one ride at a time.

Mail Services

Electric Hybrid Vehicle

Mail Services’ plug-in hybrid vehicle continues to operate very efficiently. The last time it was fueled was on Dec. 18, 2019. It can travel an estimated 22 miles on a single charge.

Fuel consumption
December 19, 2019 – Present

0 gal