FR Wednesday March 23, 2022, at 9am CT, Acadia University in Wolfville, NS, surprised their students with an unexpected organic pop-up dining hall takeover to mark the start of their official campaign to becoming an ‘Organic Campus’. This event is the first to represent our National Organic Campus program and was sponsored by Nature’s Path Foods., North America’s largest organic breakfast and snack brand.

A small Eastern Canadian campus with an enormous sustainable heart, Acadia was eager to host the launch as the first university enrolled in the program, it marked the start of their official campaign to becoming an ‘Organic Campus’ and adding the designation to their already long list of sustainable achievements.

Throughout the day Acadia students were welcomed by members of the Acadia Organic Campus Steering Committee, who shared information about the new program, and presented giveaways with trivia questions on why choosing organic is not only a healthy option for them but for the planet. Acadia students enjoyed a host of Nature’s Path products including pancakes, pastries, tacos, and more in addition to the other organic food and beverage already served in the dining hall.

The Organic Campus program is a national grassroots initiative that will cultivate a network of organic advocates while driving demand for organic in post-secondary institutions through procurement policies and increased availability of organic through foodservice providers.

It aims to inspire a new generation of organic stewards, while at the same time getting more organic options across Canada at universities, colleges, and CEGEPs.

Obtaining Organic Campus designation requires a foundation of commitments and requirements, some of which is ensuring a minimum number of organic products are available on campus, educating students on organic practices and the four principles of organic agriculture; health, ecology, fairness, and care, which all play a role in the story of why choosing organic is so important to environmental sustainability.

“The national organic campus program is an amazing opportunity! Helping schools become organic will not only be a healthier choice for the students but the planet as well. Acadia is the perfect school to help start this program. As a small university, we have made big changes to protect the environment, and becoming organic is a delicious sustainability solution for schools and students.”  stated Kathrynn Ashworth, a 2nd-year Environmental & Sustainability Studies and History student at Acadia who is passionate about sustainability and food, growing up in a family of five generations of farmers in New Brunswick. She is also the current Acadia Students’ Union Sustainability Officer and is a member of the Acadia Organic Campus Steering Committee.

Acadia is excited to work with COTA and their expertise and influence in the organic industry to identify ways to support local producers and connect the campus with new suppliers in the region to achieve campus sustainability goals. When COTA was developing the Organic Campus program, they sought collaboration from their long-time member and supporter Nature’s Path.

“Our purpose at Nature’s Path is to always leave the earth better than we found it,” says Jyoti Stephens, VP Mission and Strategy at Nature’s Path Foods. “We’re excited about participating in the Organic Cafeteria Takeover as it’s a fun and delicious way to engage students to learning more the importance of organic food and farming to our health and the health of the planet.”

The Organic Campus launch has started an impactful ripple effect that will not only help ensure more organic across Canada but will assist in creating a generation of change-makers with organic at the root for sustainable change for campuses, communities, and our planet.

Read more about the Organic Campus Program 

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