Sustainability

Our Commitment

Your 513 Culinary Group is dedicated to sustainability. We know we can all work together to make a positive impact right here at University of Cincinnati.

OZZI Reusable To-Go Containers

OZZI offers innovative technology that eliminates the need for traditional disposable take-out containers, making it a perfect fit for the University of Cincinnati. By promoting sustainable and ecologically-minded reusable containers, OZZI is creating an environmetally counscious, user-friendly, and 100% effective system that eliminates disposable products generated from dining on campus. In 2024, UC collected an outstanding 165,000 OZZI containers to reduce the use of paper products on campus.

Participating locations include CenterCourt, MarketPointe, On The Green, and Stadium View where guests can request one OZZI To-Go container per meal period. All meal plan holders are automatically enrolled in the OZZI carry-out program, with the first box included in their meal plan. If a reusable box is lost or not exchanged for a token, it is $5 to purchase an additional container.

Sustainable and Plant-Forward Options

There are several vegetarian, plant-based, and vegan oprtions available at each dining center. Items that are vegetarian, plant-based, or vegan will be indicated via icons on the menu boards at each station, on the location's web page, and on the Everyday App. Stop by MarketPointe's Good Vibes station for an entirely plant-based menu every day of the week, or CenterCourt's baked potato bar that offers several plant-based proteins as well. In addition to these, each dining center always offers a plant-based burger at the grill station, a plant-based protein soup, plant-based or vegan side dishes available at Simple Servings stations, and several other entrees and side dishes available at other stations.

Our goal is to offer 50% plant-based entrees on menus by 2025.

Local Suppliers

We work closely with local distributors to maximize the fruits and vegetables purchased from local farms. We proudly work with 80 Acres Farms to provide fresh, delicious foods to campus. We also purchase from local dairies, and participate in farm to school initiatives. Tracking local purchases helps us to meet our Better Tomorrow Plan commitment of 20% local purchase. Good news about your morning (okay, all day) cup of coffee. We proudly partner with Rooted Grounds to provide premium coffee in our residential dining locations and catering.

Reusable Cup

58 billion paper cups are thrown away each year; most of which are non-compostable. By using recycled cups across campus, we're decreasing our waste and minimizing our carbon footprint.

Our Partners

Through our partnerships with local and global organizations including Last Mile Food Rescue, 80 Acres Farms, Lean Path, and OZZI, we are working to create a more sustainable dining experience on campus.