Grant Received for Practices in Food Sustainability

Each week during the academic year, the School of Divinity offers two opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to share a meal and create occasions for community-building. As the school increases its commitment to sustainability, practices are being adopted to resource local and organic food sources for meals, use reusable dishware, compost, and encourage appropriate waste disposal and food and material recycling.

With the seed grant, the school has hired two student Sustainability Coordinators, who will be responsible for evaluating current food practices at the school, researching best practices through conversations with other theological schools and faith communities, creating guidelines for communal food sustainability, and assisting in the implementation of educational programs for the school and local congregations.

“Our faculty, students, and community partners are energized by our efforts to care for creation through food stewardship initiatives, “ said Shonda Jones, Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Services. “Developing sustainable food practices while in a seminary context can inform ministerial habits for students who will soon enter a world of service in the church and community.”

The School of Divinity will partner with resources across the university, including the Office of Sustainability and its Green Team Network, and the Wake Forest Campus Garden to further empower the food sustainability program and its efforts.

About the Wake Forest University School of Divinity: The Wake Forest University School of Divinity is a young and dynamic theological institution that prepares men and women to be religious leaders in a changing world. The School currently offers the Master of Divinity degree and several dual degrees in law, bioethics, and counseling offered jointly with other schools of the University. Through imaginative courses and diverse programs of community engagement, students are equipped to be agents of justice, reconciliation, and compassion in Christian churches and other ministries.

About the Seminary Stewardship Alliance: The Seminary Stewardship Alliance (SSA) is a consortium of schools dedicated to reconnecting Christians with the biblical call to care for God’s creation. Our goal is for member seminaries to teach, preach, live, inspire, and hold each other accountable for good stewardship practices. The Christian faith occupies a central role in our culture. Seminaries equip, train, and inspire the future leaders of the church, thereby having a powerful effect across denominations and throughout the world. http://seminaryalliance.org/

Media Contact: Mark Batten; 336.758.3748