Walailak Food Outlets: Sustainable Food Choices for ALL

22Oct 2024 by Kittipong Bunlear

Sustainability and Stewardship

Walailak University’s Center of Property Management oversees the recruitment of food operators across campus through transparent and respectful procedures to ensure that the food operators provide sustainable and inclusive food choices for students, staff, and visitors. The university’s food outlets include the Chor Pradu Food Center, the Activity Building Food Center, the WUH Food Center, retail convenience stores, food kiosks, cafeterias, vending machines, Walailak University markets, and the Kla-D shop. All these outlets offer sustainable food options, and vendors must comply with the 2022 Policy on Food Preparation and Sustainable Consumption. The center places great importance on fair trading to ensure that all food vendors at WU food centers, food kiosks, cafeterias, and retail convenience stores have equal opportunities to operate their businesses on campus. This initiative aims to establish trading partnerships based on dialogue, transparency, and respect.

Priority is given to local food operators from Tha Sala District, supporting the local economy and ensuring a variety of sustainable and inclusive food choices, such as vegan, vegetarian, and halal offerings. Vendors are encouraged to source ingredients locally, reducing fossil fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. The Center of Property Management carefully screens ingredients for quality, ensuring they meet standards regarding pesticide residue, animal welfare, environmental impact, and fair labor practices, including the prevention of child and forced labor.

In addition to food operators, Walailak University operates The Center for Smart Farming and Landscaping Architecture and the WU Agricultural Innovative Demonstration and Development Center in Honor of Rama IX. These centers produce agricultural products using Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) with low pesticide use. These products are sold to on-campus vendors, ensuring a local and sustainable supply of ingredients for food production at the university.

Click on the map for a clearer view with more details.

WU Food Centers

Cho Pradu Food Center

This food center comprises 85 food outlets and 12 local food stalls. It offers halal, vegan and vegetarian food, and fruit.

Figures : Food outlets and food stalls at the Chor Pradu Food Center.

Figures : Vegan and vegetarian food at the Chor Pradu Food Center.

Activity Building Food Center

There are 8 food outlets and 9 local food stalls available at this food center. The halal food and vegan and vegetarian food are also available at this food center.

Figures : Food outlets and food stalls at the Activity Building Food Center.

Walailak University Hospital Food Center

There are 13 food outlets at this food center and 11 local food stalls. This food center also offers halal food, vegan and vegetarian, and fruits. In addition, it offers medically-tailored meals for patients staying at the hospital that include vegan and vegetarian food.

All food vendors at the three food centers purchase food ingredients and materials from trusted local sources in Tha Sala District to demonstrate WU’s contributions to thriving local economies and sustainable livelihoods. All the trusted sources selling food ingredients and materials implement sustainable practices, including sustainable management of the land and natural environment, low levels of manufactured herbicides or artificial fertilizers, and pesticides, the protection of wildlife of plants and animals, and their welfare. In addition, the Center of Property Management always places importance on fair trading procedures among all food operators to ensure the establishment of trading partnerships, based on dialogue, transparency, and respect.

Retail Convenience Stores

There are 6 retail convenience stores offering vegetarian and vegan food, located across the university with 24-hour opening, including Walailak University Hospital, lecture buildings, etc. These retail convenience stores source food products from trusted sources such as SMEs and local enterprise groups that are certified with sustainable standards such as GMP, HACCP, GAP, and Halal.

Figures : Food products at the retail convenience stores.

Food Kiosks and Cafeterias

There are 28 food kiosks and cafeterias available across the university, offering a variety of food and beverages. They are located in various places on campus, such as Lecture Buildings, Research Buildings, Scientific Equipment Buildings, WU Hospital, etc. These food kiosks and cafeterias are also encouraged to source food ingredients and materials from trusted sources and avoid damaging or wasting natural resources or contributing to climate change of their food in their food processing. All food kiosks and cafeterias are encouraged to use GAP-certified agricultural products in their food processing, such as coffee beans, fruits, vegetables, etc.

Figures : The Food Kiosks and Cafeterias at Walailak University.

Food Vending Machines

To ensure convenient access to food, the university has installed 16 food vending machines in all dormitories, serving students and staff at any time. These food vending machines also sell food products produced by trusted food sources such as SMEs.

Figures : Food Vending Machines at Walailak University.

Walailak University Markets

Walailak University hosts two street food markets: the Bota Green Market and the Chan Pradu Market. The Bota Green Market is located at Walailak Botanic Park (WBP) opening every Thursday. On Mondays, the Chan Pradu Market is set up in the parking lot between Lecture Building 1 and Lecture Building 3. All food vendors at the markets are 100% local food vendors in Tha Sala District, ensuring contributions to thriving local economies and sustainable livelihoods. All food vendors must use food ingredients and materials that are from trusted sources that implement sustainable practices and are certified on food standards by local or national government organizations.

Figures : The Bota Green Market.

Figures : The Chan Pradu Market.

Agricultural Centers

Walailak University realizes that to ensure 100% sustainable food choices on campus, the university should have its own food production facilities to sell sustainable food ingredients and materials to food operators on campus. The facilities are the WU Agricultural Innovative Demonstration and Development Center in Honor of Rama IX and the Center for Smart Farming and Landscaping Architecture. They provide agricultural products as a reliable food source for food operators at Walailak University, ensuring diverse and nutritious food options for the community. All farming activities strictly follow Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) demonstrating it is a trusted source, with a strong emphasis on environmentally sustainable management of the land and natural environment. The farming practices of the two centers also promote maintaining low levels of pesticides and minimized herbicides and artificial fertilizers to protect human health and the environment, the protection of the diversity of plant and animal species, and the welfare of farmed and wild species. The centers are committed to avoiding the damage and waste of natural resources in their production and establishing trading partnerships grounded in dialogue, transparency, and mutual respect with all purchasers.

WU Agricultural Innovative Demonstration and Development Center in Honor of Rama IX

The Kla-D Shop offers agricultural products sourced from the WU Agricultural Innovative Demonstration and Development Center in Honor of Rama IX. All products are produced using sustainable practices that comply with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards. The center, established to supply food materials and ingredients for vendors at Walailak University, ensures that agricultural products are sustainably harvested to provide responsible food choices for the Walailak community. Additionally, the center collaborates with the Center of Property Management to maintain sustainable standards and reduce the risk of receiving products harvested through unsustainable methods on campus.

Figures : Kla–D Shop distributes agricultural products to food sellers at Walailak University.

The Center for Smart Farming and Landscaping Architecture

The Center for Smart Farming and Landscaping Architecture alongside the WU Agricultural Innovative Demonstration and Development Center in Honor of Rama IX, produces agricultural products for food operators at Walailak University, offering a variety of food choices for the community. The center’s products include rambutan, guava, salak, coconut, bananas, Green Farm System-produced eggs, vegetables, pork, and more.

Figures : Fruits from The Center for Smart Farming and Landscaping Architecture.

Figures : The pig farming based on the Green Farm System.

Figures : The chicken farming system for eggs.

Figures : The Center for Smart Farming and Landscaping Architecture is certified under the Thai Agricultural Standard (TAS).

All food sellers at all food outlets at Walailak University must adhere rigorously to the regulations and principles aligned with the goals of sustainability, health, and affordability in food services. The following guidelines and policies are enforced:

- - Walailak University Announcement on “The Regulations and Penalties of Food Operators 2015”
  - Walailak University Announcement on “The Regulations of Canteen Management and Operation Practices 2017”
  - Walailak University Announcement on “The Lease Agreement of Food Operators 2017”
  - The Regulations of the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, concerning Food Hygiene and Sanitation for Food Handlers
  - Walailak University Order regarding the Appointment of the Committee on Food Safety and Sanitation 2015

The Process of Sustainable Food Sourcing

Walailak University issued the Policy on Food Preparation and Sustainable Consumption in 2022. All food sellers at all food outlets at Walailak University must also follow this policy to ensure that sustainable food choices at WU are provided in the Walailak community.

Key aspects of the proposed policy are as follows:

Meat and animal products, including seafood, should be derived from qualified farms certified by reliable agencies, such as Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).

Sources of processed seafood, aquatic animals, and products must not involve those in conflict with the European Union’s guidelines on illegal unreported, and unregulated fishing, destructive fishing practices, overfishing practices, use of forced and child labor, or unfair employment of labor in the seafood supply.

Environmentally and socially friendly transportation of uncontaminated meat, including animal and aquatic products, must be ensured. Fruits and vegetables should be seasonal fruits and vegetables, and Walailak University prioritizes the purchase of raw materials and others available in local communities with good agricultural practices.

Nontoxic fruits and vegetables should be seasonal products, locally farmed by neighboring communities, and cultivated with good agricultural practices.

Food Variety on Campus

Walailak University ensures that students and staff have access to a varied and nutritious diet by offering diverse food choices. To meet the diverse dietary needs and preferences of the student body, WU offers over a hundred food outlets providing many food choices across campus. These food choices take into account religious beliefs, health concerns, animal welfare, and sustainability. The food outlets at WU offer a variety of choices, including local restaurants, Halal-certified eateries, and food stalls. Committed to ensuring that everyone has access to nutritious meals, WU ensures that healthy food choices, including vegetarian and vegan dishes, are available at all dining locations within the university.

Figures : The food choices at Walailak University that are sourced from local communities.

Figures : The food choices at Walailak University that are halal food.

Figures : The food choices at Walailak University that are vegetarian and vegan food.

The Process of Sustainable Food Sourcing

- - The Announcement of Walailak University Subject: 2022 Policy on Food Preparation and Sustainable Consumption
  - Walailak University Order No. 1180/2560 regarding the Appointment of the Food Sanitation System Development Committee In the cafeteria Walailak University (dated October 18, 2017)
  - Announcement of Walailak University on rules, regulations the prohibitions and penalties for tenants of space for business of shops and restaurants within in Walailak University (dated October 9, 2017)
  - Walailak University Order No. 392/2019 regarding the appointing a working group to control restaurant service of entrepreneurs within Walailak University cafeteria (dated April 9, 2019).
  - Announcement of Walailak University regarding the guidelines for restaurant management within the theater Walailak University Food (dated February 8, 2019)
  - Announcement of Walailak University terms and details that attached to the contract for renting Walailak University area for food distribution service in Walailak University canteen (dated 23 July 2019)
  - Regulations of the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health Food sanitation standards for restaurants.