Tag: Food

Graduate Green

GraduateGreenbanner

 

It’s graduation season! And for those who will be leaving the NYU community, we wanted to send you off with some tips for living sustainably in your post-NYU years.

 

Stay involved!

The NYU Office of Sustainability welcomes alumni to continue to work with us in advancing environmental initiatives at NYU. Help inform the initiatives of our office and stay up-to-date on what’s going on in our community by signing up for our newsletter. Read more

Don’t Dispose! Donate this Move Out Season

box of clothing labeled: "Donation"Green Apple Move Out is NYU’s annual initiative to reduce the waste generated during spring move out! Live in an NYU residence hall? You can drop textiles and certain room essentials in the designated area in your building. Learn more about what’s acceptable

This guide provides tips and resources for how to have a sustainable move out. 

Read more

Black History Month: A Look Into the History of Black Veganism

I recently attended The Countdown: Exploring the Future of Plant-Centric Food Systems, which featured a session with Tracye McQuirter, a public health nutritionist, plant-based activist, author, and speaker. During the session, McQuirter described how she was moved by Dick Gregory’s speech about the health of African American women over 30 years ago. 

“[Gregory] talked about the politics of food, including why African Americans are often targeted for junk and fast food, along with the lack of availability of healthy foods in low-income communities. He traced the path of a hamburger from a cow at a factory farm through the slaughterhouse, to a fast-food restaurant, to a clogged artery, to a heart attack. I’d never thought about food that way.” 

Here are some resources to learn more about Tracye McQuirter’s work and trailblazers in the Black vegan movements:

  1. By Any Greens Necessary

This book by Tracye McQuirter was a national best-seller that was cited by The New York Times as a key reason for the popular rise of veganism among African Americans during the last decade. 

2. Ageless Vegan

Tracye McQuirter’s second book is a memoir-style cookbook that she wrote with her mother to mark 30 years of their veganism. 

3. 10 Million Black Vegan Women

Tracye McQuirter’s organization aims to help Black women improve their health outcomes through plant-based eating. It provides data and statistics about chronic conditions affecting Black women today, as well as programs that use plant-based nutrition and community support.

4. A Homecoming

In this detailed Eater article, Amirah Mercer highlights the long history of plant-based diets in the Black diaspora, which is often erased by the imagery of veganism propagated by the wellness industry. 

5. Black and vegan: Why so many Black Americans are embracing the plant-based life

Vidya Rao discusses veganism in Black pop culture and highlights the journey of Pinky Cole, a plant-based restaurateur in Atlanta. 

6. Bryant Terry

Bryant Terry is a celebrated cookbook author and has served since 2015 as the chef-in-residence at the Museum of the African Diaspora, in San Francisco. His (beautifully illustrated) books highlight vegetarian and vegan African American cooking, as well as recipes inspired by the African diaspora. Fun fact – Bryant Terry is an NYU alum! 

And here are some of New York City’s Black-Owned Plant-Based businesses to check out:

Listening to Tracye was eye-opening for me. Having grown up in India, I sometimes take access to fresh food for granted, so I wanted to know more about the disparity in food and health that disproportionately affects Black communities. Tracye’s passion and enthusiasm was infectious and inspired me to learn more – I hope this digest inspires you too.

 

– Avani Jalan, Food and Dining Coordinator at NYU Office of Sustainability 

gift wrapped in cloth

The Season of (Sustainable) Giving

by Lily Kunkel

Lily Kunkel (she/they) is the Waste Education Coordinator at the Office of Sustainability, and an avid gifter. In this blog, Lily shares tips and creative ideas for showing you care, while reducing waste.

With the fall semester coming to an end and the holidays upon us or approaching, the excitement of traditions and celebrations is just around the corner. Part of many people’s holiday season, gift-giving can be a last-minute panic or the big opportunity you’ve been saving for. 

Still, many people wish that the holidays were more meaningful and less materialistic.  Although “reduce” is the most impactful first strategy, it’s particularly hard to do when holidays carry so much sentimental value – Personally, I love to give and receive gifts! 

So here’s some tips and suggestions to make your gift-giving more sustainable without sacrificing the sentiment and excitement.

Read more