2.3.4 Healthy and affordable food choices
Universitas Islam Sultan Agung (UNISSULA) is committed to supporting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger by providing access to healthy, safe, nutritious, and affordable food for the university community. UNISSULA recognizes that access to adequate food is an important component of student welfare and supports students in maintaining their health and academic performance.
Campus food services at UNISSULA provide a variety of meals and beverages that are accessible to students, lecturers, staff, and visitors. By offering food at different price levels, campus food facilities enable students to select meals according to their nutritional needs and financial circumstances.
The availability of affordable food on campus is particularly important in supporting students who may have limited financial resources. By maintaining access to reasonably priced meals, UNISSULA seeks to reduce the risk that students’ academic activities will be affected by inadequate access to nutritious food.
Healthy Food Options for the University Community
UNISSULA encourages campus food providers to provide food that meets basic principles of health, hygiene, safety, and nutritional adequacy.
Food services are encouraged to consider:
- nutritional value of food and beverages;
- hygiene during food preparation and serving;
- food safety and appropriate storage;
- appropriate food portions;
- availability of diverse menu options; and
- affordability for students.
Through these practices, the campus food environment contributes not only to fulfilling daily dietary needs but also to promoting healthier lifestyles among members of the university community.
Affordable Food Access for Students
Affordability is an important consideration in UNISSULA’s campus food management. Students have access to food options across different price ranges, allowing them to choose meals that correspond to their individual financial circumstances.
Providing affordable meals on campus helps students manage their daily living costs while continuing to participate fully in academic and extracurricular activities.
This approach is particularly relevant to UNISSULA’s commitment to inclusive education, as students from different socioeconomic backgrounds should have equal opportunities to access basic services and participate in university life.
Supporting Student Welfare and Food Security
UNISSULA integrates food accessibility with its broader student welfare initiatives.
Students experiencing economic difficulties may receive support through university welfare programs, scholarships, social assistance, and programs managed in collaboration with LAZIS UNISSULA and other relevant university units.
These interventions complement the availability of affordable food on campus and contribute to reducing the potential impact of food insecurity on students’ educational experience.
Through this integrated approach, UNISSULA seeks to ensure that financial limitations do not become a barrier to students’ ability to obtain adequate food while studying at the university.
Food Safety and Hygiene
Healthy and affordable food must also be safe for consumption. UNISSULA therefore promotes appropriate hygiene and food safety practices among campus food providers.
Food service providers are encouraged to maintain:
- clean food preparation areas;
- proper food handling procedures;
- clean utensils and serving equipment;
- appropriate food storage;
- clean dining environments; and
- responsible waste management.
Monitoring and evaluation of campus food services can be conducted as part of UNISSULA’s efforts to continuously improve the quality and safety of food available to the university community.
Integration with UNISSULA’s Sustainable Campus Initiatives
The provision of healthy and affordable food is connected with UNISSULA’s broader commitment to developing a sustainable campus.
Food services are encouraged to combine health, affordability, food safety, and environmental responsibility in their daily operations.
These efforts include:
- reducing food waste;
- encouraging responsible food consumption;
- separating organic and inorganic waste;
- reducing unnecessary packaging; and
- promoting sustainable food practices.
Consequently, campus food services become part of a broader sustainability ecosystem that connects student welfare, food security, environmental management, and responsible consumption.
Continuous Improvement
UNISSULA continues to improve its campus food services to ensure that healthy and affordable food remains accessible to the university community.
Future development includes:
- strengthening standards for campus food providers;
- improving monitoring of food quality and safety;
- maintaining affordable food options for students;
- increasing the availability of nutritious menu choices;
- strengthening student food security programs;
- improving food waste monitoring and reduction; and
- developing regular evaluation of campus food services.
Through these initiatives, UNISSULA demonstrates its commitment to SDG 2: Zero Hunger by ensuring that healthy and affordable food is part of a supportive, inclusive, and sustainable university environment.