Healthier Columbia Food and Beverage Initiative
The Healthier Columbia Food and Beverage Initiative offers food, beverage and nutrition recommendations that foster a healthier eating pattern for the Columbia community. Resources are available to support better food and beverage choices in various food environments.
Display colorful fruits and vegetables, energizing whole grains and the power of plant protein at your next meeting or event following 6 easy steps.
Snack and sip better with the Healthier Columbia Snack and Beverage Vending Initiative—follow the guide below to update your department’s local vending machine.
Work with your campus café or cafeteria to bring delicious and nutritious foods that are affordable and healthy for you and the planet using the guide below.
Marketing materials are available to support the Healthier Columbia Food and Beverage Initiative in various food environments. Additional materials may be available upon request.
Healthier Columbia Marketing Toolkit
Highlight meals, snacks, and beverages aligning with the initiative by displaying the Healthier Columbia seal. Refer to the style guide to for usage and best practices.
- Healthier Columbia Style Guide
- Healthier Columbia Seal (Morningside and Manhattanville Campus)
- Healthier Columbia Seal (Medical Center Campus)
Snack and Beverage Signage
When hosting a meeting or launching a healthy vending machine, display signage showcasing healthier and more sustainable snacks and beverages.
Convened by the Office of Work/Life, the Nutrition Academic Advisory Committee and the Food and Nutrition Working Group developed the Healthier Columbia Recommended Food and Beverage Standard to meet the following high-level goal:
Towards building a culture of health, foster the wellness of the Columbia community by:
- Providing access to healthful and sustainable food and beverages and
- Strengthening food and beverage environments where the affordable, informed, and convenient choice is the healthy choice.
In alignment with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 and the Healthy People 2030 Nutrition and Weight Status Objectives, the Healthier Columbia Recommended Food and Beverage Standard includes food and nutrition guidance that supports a healthier eating pattern for the Columbia community, by offering:
- A variety of fruit and vegetable options
- Plant-based proteins
- Freely available drinking water
Together with the Nutrition Academic Advisory Committee, the Food and Nutrition Working Group, and many other stakeholders at the University, the Office of Work/Life will work towards supporting the implementation of the Healthier Columbia Recommended Food and Beverage Standard in various university food environments (e.g., meetings & events, snack and beverage vending, café & cafeterias) over the coming years.