On Food Day, Oct. 24, the nation will celebrate healthy, affordable and sustainably produced food. Food Day was created by the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest to help bring the nation closer to a food system with real and healthy food that is produced with care for the environment, animals, and the individuals who grow, harvest and serve it.
The Food Day website has recipes, videos, a UC food blog and an Eat Well Guide for individuals to browse and learn more about this national event and how to participate. Students and faculty and staff members are encouraged to take the UC system pledge to eat real.
UC Merced is celebrating Food Day, as well.
Special Dining Options
Dining Services is preparing a special menu on Thursday, Oct. 22, to incorporate recipes from the Food Day website.
Executive Chef Mitch Vanagten and his team will be preparing entrees like hot and sour salmon with greens; honey crisp oven fried chicken; and curried lentils with walnuts, spinach and cherry tomatoes. Side dishes will include warm couscous salad with dried cranberries and walnuts; green beans with charred onions; spinach with white beans; and spicy garlic broccoli. Additional salad bar items will include butternut squash and mushroom salad and sweet and tangy three bean salad.
As the campus continues to grow, Dining Services strives to keep up with demand while proactively promoting sustainability by reducing waste, buying from local growers and vendors and integrating the innovative OZZI reusable container program.
Food Pantry Distribution
UC Merced offers a monthly food assistance program to students, faculty and staff members, and community members who have a need. This program, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the United Way and the Merced Food Bank, is free and provides participants with a monthly food allotment.
This month’s distribution will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, at the Tri-College Center. Participants are asked to bring large reusable grocery bags to transport the food.
For more information, visit http://studentlife.ucmerced.edu/content/uc-merced-food-pantry.
Brenda Ortiz
Senior Public Information Representative
Office: (209) 228-4203
Mobile: (209) 628-8263
