University Sustainability Initiatives
Real Food Summit
The Real Food Challenge chose Maharishi University of Management to host the Midwest Real Food Summit, a regional gathering of students involved in the “just and sustainable food movement.” About 100 participants are expected.
The summit included workshops and meetings in which these student groups will develop skills, study sustainable successes, and build relationships.
Real Food Challenge is a national network of student leaders engaged in food issues, including farm workers rights groups, student farmers, local food champions, fair trade campaigners, and climate change activists. One major summit will be held in each region of the country. Real food is food that’s ethically produced, sustainable, healthy, tasty, and has the potential to inspire social change.
M.U.M was chosen by the event organizer, Iowa State University graduate student Sue DeBlieck, after meeting Lonnie Gamble, assistant professor of Sustainable Living at MUM Ms. DeBlieck had not visited MUM, but became excited about the idea of holding the Midwest Real Food Summit at the University based on its excellent Sustainable Living Program, small size, and sustainable features.
“It is a great honor that Maharishi University of Management was chosen to be the host for the Midwest Real Food Summit,” said Puki Freeberg, president of the MUM Global Student Council. “We can’t wait to give them a taste of the real food we eat every day.”
Meetings were held in the Argiro Student Center, which incorporates energy efficiency, daylighting, superior insulation, and non-toxic materials.
The summit included a tour of Fairfield’s and Maharishi Vedic City’s local green attractions, including Radiance Dairy, the Maharishi Vedic City greenhouses, and Abundance Ecovillage.
“Fairfield and Maharishi Vedic City offer many opportunities for students to see sustainable food in practice,” Ms. Freeberg said. “MUM is a perfect example of a sustainable community blended with sustainable agriculture.”
“I’m inspired by what students nationwide are doing to promote fair and just food,” Ms. DeBlieck said. “Many are starting gardens, getting fair trade coffee on campus, and advocating slow food.”
The summit included representatives from the United Students for Fair Trade, the Student Farm Worker Alliance, and many other groups involved in the just and sustainable food movement. “We are coming to Fairfield to share our experience and build connections with other young people,” Ms. DeBlieck said. “We’re all learning this.”
See www.realfoodchallenge.org.
back to top