University Senate Resolution about Food Donation

Last week, Emily, Carol Anthony, and I met with Tim Dietzler of Dining Services again, to discuss the dinner that the CPJE will be holding for Judy Wicks' visit. We also got to find out more about what Dining Services does with leftover food. They informed us that they have started donation programs in the past, but because of inconsistent student support and not reaching Philabundance's minimum pickup load criteria, they have faced challenges seeing these projects continue. Tim told us that the easiest food to donate is the prepackaged salads, sandwiches, etc., sold at the a la carte dining outlets and convenience stores on campus. We also found out that much of the food that is referred to as "wasted" is actually composted, which was good news.

Then, this Thursday, Emily and I attended the University Senate's Mission and Social Justice Committee's monthly meeting in order to present our ideas about university food donation, so that the beliefs and actions of the university in regards to food donation could be fomally codified. We received a warm welcome from the committee, which gave us constructive ideas about how to put the concept into more consistent practice. Hopefully the committee will be able to propose the bill to the general senate body next. Meanwhile, we will try to get more information from Dining Services about how much food they could donate, when, etc., and we will work with other organizations like Campus Ministry to coordinate with their existing service trips somehow so the effort extends beyond this semester. Will Stehl of Campus Ministry informed us that Villanova volunteers are already in the habit of bringing extra food and other goods with them when they go to serve at places like the St. Francis Inn soup kitchen, and he was hopeful about further collaborations with Dining Services.

(Stock photo.)

The following is the current draft of the bill we presented at the meeting, along with some notes about application:

University Senate Resolution Regarding Food Donation
Whereas section 401 of Title IV of Public Law No. 101-610, 104 Stat. 3183 (codified at 42 U.S.C. 12671-12673) (1990) “encourage[s] the donation of apparently wholesome food or grocery products to nonprofit organizations for distribution to needy individuals;”
Whereas according to the USDA's 1999 document “A Citizen's Guide to Food Recovery,” “more than 10 percent of the U.S. population depends on nonprofit food distribution organizations for a significant part of their nutritional needs,” and this percentage has no doubt increased since that time;
Whereas the University mission statement holds that the University “seeks to add its influence to the search for world peace and justice …and has always encouraged and supported its faculty, students, and staff in providing public service to the community;”
Whereas food security is essential in the creation of world peace and justice, and can be advanced through such activities as food donation, sale of fair trade products, and the promotion of economic self-sufficiency for all;
Whereas the University mission statement holds that as a Catholic institution, the University, “both emphasizes the values of the Judaeo-Christian humanistic tradition and…attempts to develop an environment in which students, faculty, and staff may experience a Christian intellectual and moral perspective, believing that the teachings of the Catholic faith are applicable in every area of human activity;”
Whereas the Old Testament depicts gleaning as being one way of ensuring communal welfare and food security (Leviticus 19:9-10, Ruth 2), and the New Testament encourages the sharing of food with one’s neighbors as if directly with God (Matt 25:34-36, Luke 3:10-11);
Whereas the University has made an official “Commitment to Sustainability,” in which reducing waste while maximizing benefits is a key principle;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the University Senate of Villanova University, that the University,
(1) requires Villanova Dining Services to donate all “apparently wholesome food,” as defined by the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act and meeting the qualifications of the recipient, to a nonprofit organization, preferably in the Delaware Valley;
(2) notes that food donation is only one step in fulfilling the University’s promises of social justice, world peace, and environmental and community sustainability, and that continued and expanded action is necessary, beyond this one service of food donation and redistribution.

Possible Actions Following this Resolution:

• Student organizations, Campus Ministry and Dining Services coordinate a regular service trip to deliver, and possibly prepare and serve, the food donations.
• Possibly participating in the Campus Kitchens project.
• Utilizing services of volunteers already travelling in order to deliver donations en route to their sites.
• Dining Services, University administration, and student organizations continue to work together, in order to promote involvement in, awareness of and support of the food donation program.
• Initiate and maintain consistent and clear dialogue between student organizations, Dining Services, and local non-profit agencies, including Philabundance.