The University of Winnipeg's Diversity Food Services (DFS) has been recognized as a Top Performer in the 2026 Sustainable Campus Index, securing the fifth position total of 216 institutions world-wide in the area of Food & Dining.
A publication from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), the Sustainable Campus Index recognizes top-performing sustainable colleges and universities overall and in 13 impact areas, as measured through the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS®).
"Receiving external validation that the University of Winnipeg has one of the most sustainable campus food providers in the world is extremely uplifting, and is something that we hope our community feels an immense sense of pride in," said Sara Campbell, Campus Sustainability Coordinator. "When you purchase food and beverages from Diversity Food Services you can be assured that the staff are working diligently to make sure ingredients come from local and ethical sources wherever possible, creating fresh and nourishing meals in the most socially responsible and economical way. This recognition is more than a ranking; it highlights a successful model of how institutions can prioritize purchasing from local food producers and support sustainable food systems. Check out the map that is posted in Riddell Hall to find out where your food comes from."
UWinnipeg uses its purchasing power through sustainable contracts wherever possible. DFS is a social enterprise that prioritizes sustainability at its core. In 2024, it had 52 ingredient suppliers and purchased 70% locally, sustainably, and ethically sourced products, exceeding the national average by nearly 50 percentage points. DFS also participates in inclusive and fair hiring practices and has staff participate in recipe development. It provides meaningful employment and career-building opportunities for individuals navigating barriers related to access, opportunity, or economic participation. Diversity's workplaces are designed to be supportive, inclusive, and dynamic, valuing each team member's contributions and potential.
"This recognition is something our whole team can be proud of and means a lot to our team because it reflects years of work by many people who have believed that campus food can do more than simply feed people," said Jessica Young, Culinary Director. "This has happened intentionally in the background for well over a decade now and has had many helping hands along the way. Food service is often measured by speed and price, but this ranking recognizes the deeper work; local purchasing, scratch cooking, waste reduction, fair employment practices, and longstanding relationships with Manitoba producers. Diversity Food Services was built to prove that institutional food can be practical, affordable, and values driven at the same time. For Diversity Food Services, sustainability means looking at the whole system, and campus food has the ability to shape habits, support those local economies and show students that ethics and hospitality can belong together."
"Congratulations to UWinnipeg on earning recognition as a Top Performer in the 2026 Sustainable Campus Index," said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. "Achieving this distinction reflects years of commitment, collaboration, and sustained progress across the institution. Top-performing colleges and universities like UWinnipeg demonstrate what is possible when sustainability is embedded into institutional priorities and translated into measurable action, helping raise the bar for higher education as a whole."
UWinnipeg received a Gold STARS Rating for sustainability last December - the first time the University has achieved this designation. The scoring report can be reviewed online.
About STARS
The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS®) is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS was developed by AASHE with broad participation from the higher education community. The credits included in STARS span the breadth of higher education sustainability and are organized into four categories: Academics, Engagement, Operations, and Planning & Administration. All reports are publicly accessible on the STARS website. For more information, visit https://stars.aashe.org/.
About AASHE
AASHE empowers higher education administrators, faculty, staff, and students to be effective change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation. AASHE enables members to translate information into action by offering essential resources and professional development to a diverse, engaged community of sustainability leaders. We work with and for higher education to ensure that our world's future leaders are motivated and equipped to solve sustainability challenges. For more information, visit https://www.aashe.org/.
