Our campus food system connects everyone who grows, buys, cooks, eats, and disposes of food on campus, serving as a vital bridge between individual well-being and institutional stewardship. A resilient food system is one that can adjust to unexpected challenges like severe weather events, shipping delays, rising food costs, and worker shortages. A sustainable system means using practices that protect our planet, health, and economy at all steps of the supply chain, from the farm to the compost bin. An equitable system ensures every Terp can afford and access the nutritious food they need. At UMD, we envision a food system that is all three: resilient, equitable, and sustainable.
UMD is committed to ensuring all students have their essential needs met so they can excel inside and outside the classroom. Education plays a critical role by raising awareness of available food resources and teaching best practices that connect everyday choices to the broader regional food system.. Establishing a resilient, equitable, and sustainable food system is essential not only to support the health and day-to-day well-being of our community, but also to strengthen local Maryland economies, protect the environment, and equip people with the knowledge and capacity to steward it forward for future generations.
Measuring our Progress
A new dashboard is being built to track our progress toward this goal and will be available in fall 2027. In the meantime, explore our past metrics below to see how our current work builds on previous progress.
Books for Further Exploring
Not sure where to start? These recommended books aim to supplement on-campus learning by broadening perspectives about this goal area, sparking creative thinking, and inspiring conversations about how we can work together to apply these lessons to our campus.
