Luther Cafeteria is offering food--for thought

The Luther College Cafeteria is providing more than food--it's providing food for thought.

The cafeteria has begun hosting "theme nights" to highlight a sustainability issue. The first theme night focused on the increase in local foods purchased by Luther. The second theme night focused on water conservation and waste awareness. The third theme night was "Grass-Fed Night," which highlighted the fact that nearly 100 percent of Luther's pork and beef is purchased from Grass Run Farms, a collaboration of three organic family farms in northeast Iowa. The fourth and final theme night educated students on the environmental impacts of various types of diets.

"The theme nights were a great success," said Luther assistant sustainability coordinator Maren Stumme-Diers. "I anticipate that many more local food celebrations and educational evenings will take place in the months and years to come as Luther works towards its goal of serving 35 percent local food to campus diners."