Food Not Waste is an organization run by HSU students that hosts ethical vegetarian meals for students and the local community with the goal of minimizing waste. They avoid packaging and use reusable dishes to serve food in order to produce zero waste. The student-run group receives food donations from local businesses to keep costs low and raise funds for future events and causes like rainforest protection. Their events incorporate sustainable practices like using biodiesel and composting food scraps. The organization's vision is to establish regular meat-free meals on campus and become a permanent part of the university. Their next event will coincide with the HSU Harvest Festival on Halloween.

1. What is Food Not Waste? Basically it is an ethical food sale put on by students for
students as well as the community. Food Not Waste means eating food without creating
any waste. This means every step of the way we avoid waste by buying the food in bulk
without packaging to serving food on real dishes eliminating the need to throw away
paper products. It also means composting uneaten, leftover food. Our organization was
created by a group of campus clubs who felt there was a need to have an alternative to
on-campus dining facilities. “We were tired of high prices and disposable plates” one
club member said. The initiative we took was to serve an earth friendly ethical meal to
students and community at low cost. There are ways to shop and eat that leave little
impact on the environment such as eating vegetarian, buying products in bulk, or with
little to no packaging.
Involving the community in this event is another main goal. To do this we invite anyone
to come volunteer or eat. We also always shop at the local businesses and inquire about
donations where appropriate. In the past, we have received donations from Brio
Breadworks, Pacific Rim Noodle House, The Tofu Shop, the CO-OP, and Wildberries.
By getting the food donated, we are able to raise funds to put on the next event because
all the money that is made goes to future events, which keep getting better and better.
Eventually if the carry over grew and grew, we would invest in protecting rainforest, for
example.
The events are required to be sustainable on all levels including food preparation,
composting, reusing, and using bio-diesel and pedal-power technologies. The Campus
Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT) has contributed the bio-diesel for our stoves.
Bio-diesel is an eco-friendly fuel made from recycled veggie oil that can be used in lieu
of diesel oil or butane fuel. CCAT’s pedal-powered blender smoothies delight all who
want a cool organic drink between classes.
Another way to create no waste is to serve all food in reusable containers with real silver
ware. This is one of our main issues with the on-campus dining facilities, who serve the
majority of food in disposable packaging. Our goal is zero waste so we collect tofu,
yogurt, and salsa containers from students or borrow dishes. You can create no waste
everyday by just bringing your own containers from students or borrow dishes. Food Not
Waste can serve as an example for a way to eat that you can participate in everyday. We
avoid pesticide usage by buying organic produce, helping take care of the human body
and Earth’s body at the same time!
The future vision of Food Not Waste is to become a permanent part of the HSU campus.
We would like to provide meals on a regular basis but can only do this with a committed
team of individuals. Volunteer effort is what makes our organization work. Putting on
events is fun and fulfilling when we can come together as a community to make
something great happen.
Our next event is coinciding with Associated Students’ HSU Harvest Festival happening
on October 31, Halloween Day between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. Come check us out and
support other school organizations as well as we all party for this festive Fall event with
music by Lazy Bones, on the Quad!