Sacred Heart University Becomes the First REAL Certified College Campus in CT
Industry: Health & Fitness
Washington, DC (PRUnderground) September 27th, 2016
The United States Healthful Food Council (USHFC) announced today that Sacred Heart University has become the first higher-education provider in the state of Connecticut to be audited and certified for Responsible Epicurean and Agricultural Leadership (REAL).
“The food environment has a tremendous influence on dietary habits and health, which is especially critical during the formative college years when many lifelong habits are formed,” said Lawrence Williams, CEO of the USHFC. “It’s inspiring to see universities such as Sacred Heart doing their part to shift the American diet towards a more healthful and sustainable model for generations to come.”
REAL Certified is the nationally recognized mark of excellence for food and foodservice providers committed to holistic nutrition and environmental stewardship. USHFC’s third-party registered dieticians (RDs) utilize a points-based REAL Index to audit foodservice providers across a range of criteria. To become REAL Certified, operators must satisfy prerequisites and earn sufficient points in the areas of Responsible (nutrition), Epicurean (preparation), Agricultural (sourcing) and Leadership (going above and beyond). The organization has certified restaurants and corporate cafes in over 30 states, and, last year, Stanford University became the first REAL Certified University.
James Barquinero, Senior Vice President of Enrollment, Student Affairs & Athletics describes SHU Dining and Chartwells as “Student-focused first and foremost. Highly responsive to the client’s needs and expectations for great food quality and service. Overall, a dedicated commitment to excellence.”
About Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services Chartwells (SHU Dining) is the recognized leader in contract foodservice management, hospitality, and award-winning guest service within 270 college and university dining environments throughout academic institutions across the U.S. Chartwells’ new brand mantra, “Where Hungry Minds Gather,” signifies its commitment to reinventing the dining experience for the next generation of students and beyond. Their nutritious cuisine not only satisfies the unique appetites, lifestyles and dietary needs of every guest dining on campus, but it also brings people together to promote the high-intensity relationships that will prepare students for the future. For more information, visit Chartwells’ websites at www.ChartwellsHigherEd.com, www.ChartwellsMonthly.com, www.DineonCampus.com, or call toll-free at 1-855-9-Gather (855-942-8437).
About Eat REAL
Eat REAL® is a 501(c) (3) Public Health nonprofit organization based in Richmond, California. Eat REAL is dedicated to transforming food in K-12 schools, creating a healthier next generation and planet. Launched in 2012, Eat REAL Certified is a nutrition and sustainability best practices certification program working with school district food service leaders to raise the bar and make food in schools more nutritious and sustainable. Eat REAL’s core program currently supports 237 schools, reaching over 116,000 students.
