Approval of Wendy’s not total setback for FLO Food

TO THE EDITOR:

I would like to comment on the Wendy’s that is being planned for the Carolina Union in 2012.

We would like to thank the Union Board of Directors, Carolina Dining Services and the Aramark for all of their work on this issue and for their strong commitment to creating a healthy and environmentally sustainable food culture at UNC.

Here at UNC, awareness has been growing about how our industrial food system contributes significantly to several world problems.

Many UNC students feel that adding a Wendy’s to the Union is not in accordance with the University’s commitment to the environment, social justice, and public health.

Most of the food on campus is not compatible with the new values of our generation, and many students are encouraged to develop bad eating habits because fast food has such a dominant presence on campus.

While we had hoped that the University would gather more information from food experts before deciding on a food venue, we are encouraged that their vote requires negotiations with Wendy’s to ensure that their restaurant in the Union would be more sustainable and healthy than a typical Wendy’s operation, and that Phase II of the Union renovation will include the addition of a sustainable food establishment.

A great resource for people who want to know more about food issues is the film “Food Inc.,” which is available in the campus library and for free on the PBS Web site next week at www.pbs.org/pov/foodinc.

Finally, we would like to thank everyone in the UNC community who is doing what they can to promote a more just and sustainable food system.

We at UNC have good reason to be proud of what we have achieved so far, and to be optimistic about future progress.



Giovanna Allegretti
Member
Fair, Local, Organic Food