Coolfood Meals
Food systems account for about a third of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. At CDS, we strive to reduce our impact by offering low-carbon Coolfood Meals in our dining halls in partnership with the World Resources Institute (WRI).
What are Coolfood Meals?
At CDS, we are striving to reduce our own carbon footprint, and we know you may be doing the same. This is why we offer Coolfood Meals to make low-carbon eating easy for our guests!
Coolfood is a recipe certification program created by the World Resources Institute (WRI) to identify meals that are nutritious and low-carbon, so you can feel confident that your meal is healthy for both you and the climate.
In addition to meeting nutritional safeguards, Coolfood Meals have a carbon footprint that is certified to be at least 38% lower than the average regional meal!
Why is climate friendly eating so important?
The foods we eat have a major impact on the environment. Dishes that contain beef, lamb, and dairy have a significantly higher carbon footprint than vegetables, legumes, and grains. For example, the production of beef produces over 20 times more greenhouse gases than the production of soy protein (per gram of protein). However, Coolfood Meals aren’t strictly vegetarian or vegan! A Cool Food meal might be “plant-forward,” meaning that vegetables, beans, and whole grains are more prominent on the plate, but many also contain chicken and pork.
How are Coolfood Meals determined?
In line with climate scientists’ recommendations, the WRI has established a maximum recommended daily carbon footprint for a person’s diet, which is 38% smaller than the average diet in 2015.
To calculate the carbon footprint of a dish, the WRI considers the land use and supply chain of every ingredient. Certified Coolfood Meals must have carbon footprints that fall below an established per-meal threshold:
-A breakfast portion must emit less than 3.81 kg COշ to be considered a Coolfood Meal.
-A lunch or dinner portion must emit less than 5.71 kg COշ to be considered a Coolfood Meal.
The Coolfood program also requires each recipe to meet a set of nutritional safeguards to receive the certification. This includes minimizing sodium, sugar, and saturated fats, while maximizing fruits, vegetables, protein and fiber. These safeguards are meant to acknowledge human health as a valuable component of environmental health.
How can I find Coolfood Meals on the menu?
You can use “Coolfood” as a dietary filter on our online menu, and you can find the Coolfood icons on digital menu boards in the dining halls.
Learn more at https://coolfood.org/