Healthy and Affordable Food Choices For All at All Food Outlets

06Nov 2023 by Krittayot Ritthijak

Sustainability and Stewardship

Walailak University has a mission to prioritize the well-being of students and staff, ensuring they can fully enjoy their university life. Regarding food service, the university believes that a positive dining experience on campus is integral to student life and can enhance students’ academic performance.

Thus, in order to achieve that, WU establishes 2 food centers, and other food outlets, responsible for food provision with healthy and affordable food choices for all on campus.

1. Affordable Food Choices

It is mandatory for food vendors to clearly display price tags. Every week, all food establishments undergo assessments to uphold high service quality and hygiene standards. Typically, the food prices within Walailak University are more affordable when compared to restaurants and food stalls outside the campus. This cost advantage can result in savings of approximately 20% to 30% for students. Furthermore, select shops provide discounts to students and staff upon presentation of their ID cards.

2. Safe and Healthy Food

A primary responsibility of a university is to safeguard its students and staff from foodborne illnesses and other potential hazards associated with food contamination.

Walailak University has established food sanitation policies, encompassing the quality of distribution, to guarantee that all food establishments on campus undergo regular assessments. Additionally, food operators are required to participate in food safety orientation programs conducted by the Center of Property Management at Walailak University.

Assessing food sanitation and safety plays a vital role in managing food quality and hygiene risks. Walailak University has designated a committee with the responsibility for conducting food assessments. As outlined in the Walailak University Order regarding the Committee on Food Safety and Sanitation 2015, the committee’s duties encompass the following:

1) Offering an 8-hour training program for food operators, enabling them to obtain a food service sanitation certificate.

2) Assessing various aspects, including food safety and sanitation, food pricing, equipment, appropriate attire for work, food taste, and cafeteria facilities, with the goal of safeguarding students and staff against food contamination and food service incidents.

3) Supplying food operators with food sanitation and safety handbooks that are applicable to all food types.

These provide body with essential nutrition: fluid, macronutrients, micronutrients, and adequate calories.

In 2022, Walailak University conducted a comprehensive review of all its food management regulations with the aim of making a more significant positive impact on food practices to prevent harm or wastage of natural resources and to combat climate change. The fundamental aspects of the proposed policy encompass:

Food service provides must attach great importance to the principles of food hygiene and safety in all steps of food production: cleaning, raw material storage, hygienic care of cooking utensils and packaging, cooking, and distribution.
All of the food service providers on campus must attend the food safety orientation organized by the Center of Walailak University Property Management.

Offering food choices led to noticeable improvements in the well-being of students and staff. Muslim students and staff gained confidence in the university’s administration, while vegan students could easily access vegetarian meal options. Additionally, these provisions fostered a sense of harmony and mutual understanding among individuals with diverse beliefs and perspectives.

In 2022, the policy regarding Food Preparation and Sustainable Consumption was introduced, and its details are outlined below.

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