UVic first institution to offer Informed Dining program

The University of Victoria is the first public institution to implement the Informed Dining program, as part of its overall commitment to healthy and active living. The new program, which provides restaurant customers with detailed nutrition information about standard menu items, was announced today at UVic.

“It’s important that we provide students with the supports they need to succeed on campus, and this includes providing information to make informed food choices,” says Jim Dunsdon, associate vice-president of student affairs. “Customers at our Village Greens, BiblioCafé, Arts Place and other University Food Services restaurants can now find detailed nutrition information about all the standard menu items.”

Informed Dining nutrition information is available on site in UVic retail food outlets and online. The Informed Dining program includes more than 1,500 restaurant outlets across the province and over 6,000 nationally.

“The University of Victoria is a welcome addition to the Informed Dining program and an excellent example for other public institutions,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “Campus life is a natural fit for the Informed Dining program with a student and staff population that need quick access to nutritional information as they juggle the many demands of their busy lives.”

UVic has a strong focus on health and wellness, and is one of only a handful of universities with a registered dietitian on staff. “The students I meet with are curious about what they’re eating and increasingly have specific dietary concerns,” says UVic registered dietitian Sara Rodrigues. “Informed Dining takes the guesswork out of dining on campus, making it easier for students, faculty, staff and visitors to customize their choices to fit their lifestyle and nutrition needs.”

Informed Dining is the latest of a number of innovative initiatives led by University Food Services, which include local food purchasing and sustainable food practices. For more information about University Food Services visit uvic.ca/food.

For more information about the Informed Dining Program, visit www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca/home/informed-dining
 

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