Wendy's Restaurant Planned for the Union.
Is it a good choice?
Photo: A Wendy's Triple Stack
On Tuesday, April 13, 2010, the Carolina Union Board of Directors voted to allow a Wendy's restaurant to be added to the first floor of the Union. The vote also called for negotiations with Wendy's to ensure that their operation in the Union is more healthy and environmentally sustainable than a typical Wendy's restaurant.
We are encouraging people to have a closer look at this issue since our food choices have such a big impact on people, animals and the environment.
What's wrong with Wendy's? The same things that are wrong with so many of the mega-chain fast food restaurants. In a nutshell, Wendy's and similar restaurants play a significant role in an industrial food system that is causing enormous amounts of unnecessary destruction.
To learn more, we recommend the recent Oscar-nominated documentary film Food, Inc., now widely available on DVD.
Another great resource is this online booklet Ethical Eating: Food & Environmental Justice Study Guide from the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.This guide on ethical eating provides brief and useful overviews of the effects our food choices have on climate change, environmental degradation, hunger, workers' rights, and animal welfare, among other topics.
Here is a sample from Ethical Eating:
"The call for a just, sustainable, humane world food system has never been louder.Scientific writings and popular media link our food production and distribution systems to climate change and the energy crisis, and uncover deep-seated problems with our agricultural infrastructure. As a result, many [of us] are coming to perceive intricate connections between environmental concerns, economic justice, social justice, and food. We're not alone. Leaders from progressive and conservative faith traditions alike are now calling for politicians, business leaders, the agriculture industry, and religious institutions to assume more responsibility for the planet's health. Ordinary people--not just environmentalists or those working for social justice or rights issues, but people who are busy balancing issues of everyday living are recognizing that the true cost of food is far greater than what we pay at the register. Costs include global warming, pollution, destruction of ecosystems, degradation of the fresh water supply, and degradation of arable land."
And here is Green America's profile of Wendy's, including many reasons for ethical consumers to be concerned.
The Green America profile of Wendy's includes the following information:
• Wendy’s has been criticized for its role in a larger food industry that exacerbates unfair trade and labor practices.
• Wendy's, along with other fast food industry leaders, faces litigation over the presence of carcinogenic chemicals in some of its food products.
•Wendy's is a holdout amongst major fast food restaurants in failing to reach an agreement with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to create a living wage for vegetable workers.
"Now more than ever, food safety scares, childhood obesity, animal welfare concerns and water quality problems call into question the industrial food system. In the last five years, a half million acres of farmland in North Carolina disappeared to development, the highest rate of loss in the country. It's no exaggeration to say that our food and farms are in crisis. The good news is that in the Triangle, good food is fighting back. Small, sustainable farms are flourishing. Consumers like you are demanding healthy, local and organic food and elected leaders are starting to listen."
--The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, a Pittsboro-based non-profit organization that consists of over 1,200 farmers, businesses and consumers working to create a just and healthy food supply. (From their Spring 2010 Farm Tour guide.)
We are encouraging people to have a closer look at this issue since our food choices have such a big impact on people, animals and the environment.
What's wrong with Wendy's? The same things that are wrong with so many of the mega-chain fast food restaurants. In a nutshell, Wendy's and similar restaurants play a significant role in an industrial food system that is causing enormous amounts of unnecessary destruction.
To learn more, we recommend the recent Oscar-nominated documentary film Food, Inc., now widely available on DVD.
Another great resource is this online booklet Ethical Eating: Food & Environmental Justice Study Guide from the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.This guide on ethical eating provides brief and useful overviews of the effects our food choices have on climate change, environmental degradation, hunger, workers' rights, and animal welfare, among other topics.
Here is a sample from Ethical Eating:
"The call for a just, sustainable, humane world food system has never been louder.Scientific writings and popular media link our food production and distribution systems to climate change and the energy crisis, and uncover deep-seated problems with our agricultural infrastructure. As a result, many [of us] are coming to perceive intricate connections between environmental concerns, economic justice, social justice, and food. We're not alone. Leaders from progressive and conservative faith traditions alike are now calling for politicians, business leaders, the agriculture industry, and religious institutions to assume more responsibility for the planet's health. Ordinary people--not just environmentalists or those working for social justice or rights issues, but people who are busy balancing issues of everyday living are recognizing that the true cost of food is far greater than what we pay at the register. Costs include global warming, pollution, destruction of ecosystems, degradation of the fresh water supply, and degradation of arable land."
And here is Green America's profile of Wendy's, including many reasons for ethical consumers to be concerned.
The Green America profile of Wendy's includes the following information:
• Wendy’s has been criticized for its role in a larger food industry that exacerbates unfair trade and labor practices.
• Wendy's, along with other fast food industry leaders, faces litigation over the presence of carcinogenic chemicals in some of its food products.
•Wendy's is a holdout amongst major fast food restaurants in failing to reach an agreement with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to create a living wage for vegetable workers.
"Now more than ever, food safety scares, childhood obesity, animal welfare concerns and water quality problems call into question the industrial food system. In the last five years, a half million acres of farmland in North Carolina disappeared to development, the highest rate of loss in the country. It's no exaggeration to say that our food and farms are in crisis. The good news is that in the Triangle, good food is fighting back. Small, sustainable farms are flourishing. Consumers like you are demanding healthy, local and organic food and elected leaders are starting to listen."
--The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, a Pittsboro-based non-profit organization that consists of over 1,200 farmers, businesses and consumers working to create a just and healthy food supply. (From their Spring 2010 Farm Tour guide.)
Daily Tar Heel articles on Wendy's and campus dining
UNC wants Wendy’s in Union
October 1, 2009
By Seth Leonard
Staff Writer
http://www.dailytarheel.com/content/unc-wants-wendy%E2%80%99s-union
Keep Wendy’s away from UNC, embrace local foods
October 2, 2009
Letter to the Editor
By Tim Wander
UNC ’09
http://www.dailytarheel.com/content/keep-wendy%E2%80%99s-away-unc-embrace-local-foods
"Concerning the possibility of opening a fast food restaurant on campus, I oppose. If this University is serious about promoting healthy living habits, how then can we stand by and allow administrators and food industry consultants to control our food choices?....
I urge all students who care for themselves, this University, health insurance costs, and a myriad of other things interrelated to food choices on campus to stand up and be counted. The Fair, Local, and Organic Foods student group and others are no doubt in opposition, but others must make their voices heard. Call Chancellor Holden Thorp....This is unacceptable.
As an alternative, the administrators in charge of this project should seek broad, deep input from all parties involved....We need real food. Now."
Food for thought: Carolina Dining Services does well in analyzing student needs; fee increases necessary
October 5, 2009
By the Editorial Board
http://www.dailytarheel.com/content/food-thought-carolina-dining-services-does-well-analyzing-student-needs-fee-increases-necess
Wendy’s gets mixed reviews
October 7, 2009
By Seth Leonard
Staff Writer
http://www.dailytarheel.com/content/wendy%E2%80%99s-gets-mixed-reviews
Future of Food
November 5, 2009
By Seth Leonard
Staff Writer
http://www.dailytarheel.com/content/future-food
Vote on Wendy’s in Union draws ire
April 13, 2010
By Andrew Harrell
University Editor
http://www.dailytarheel.com/content/vote-wendy%E2%80%99s-union-draws-ire
Wendy’s should not be given space in the Union
April 13, 2010
Letter to the Editor
By Loren Hart
http://www.dailytarheel.com/content/wendy%E2%80%99s-should-not-be-given-space-union
"...I will simply suggest that we should not add a Wendy’s to our Union because doing so would not be in harmony with the University’s commitment to environmental sustainability, social justice and public health. With a little bit of research, it’s easy to discover the many ways that Wendy’s and similar dining establishments cause enormous amounts of unnecessary harm to people, animals and the environment."
Wendy's approved for Union, but likely will not open until 2012
April 14, 2010
By Alexa Burrell
Staff Writer
http://dailytarheel.com/content/wendys-approved-union-likely-will-not-open-until-2012
" The Union Board of Directors voted Tuesday in favor of bringing a Wendy’s fast food restaurant to the bottom of the Student Union while still planning for local or organic food options in the future. The choice was approved with a vote of 8 for, 3 against and 1 abstaining. The facility will not be available before January 2012, Union Director Don Luse said....
The vote was met with concerns as to whether student voices had been heard in the decision, as well as concerns about the public health effects and the environmental impact of a fast-food restaurant....
Junior and board member Reva Grace Phillips voted against placing a Wendy’s in the Union.
“Our University’s core principles do not line up with Wendy’s,” Phillips said.
The implementation of a Wendy’s is part of the first phase of renovations of the Student Union. Carolina Dining Services has pledged to provide more sustainable options in the second phase of renovations, including the possibility of a student-run restaurant."
Approval of Wendy’s not total setback for FLO Food
April 15, 2010
Letter to the Editor
By Giovanna Allegretti
Member of Fair, Local, Organic Food (UNC FLO Food)
http://www.dailytarheel.com/content/approval-wendy%E2%80%99s-not-total-setback-flo-food
"...We would like to thank the Union Board of Directors, Carolina Dining Services and the Aramark Corporation for all of their work on this issue and for their strong commitment to creating a healthy and environmentally sustainable food culture at UNC.
Here at UNC, awareness has been growing about how our industrial food system contributes significantly to several world problems. Many UNC students feel that adding a Wendy’s to the Union is not in accordance with the University’s commitment to the environment, social justice, and public health....
While we had hoped that the University would gather more information from food experts before deciding on a food venue, we are encouraged that their vote requires negotiations with Wendy’s to ensure that their restaurant in the Union would be more sustainable and healthy than a typical Wendy’s operation, and that Phase II of the Union renovation will include the addition of a sustainable food establishment....
Finally, we would like to thank everyone in the UNC community who is doing what they can to promote a more just and sustainable food system. We at UNC have good reason to be proud of what we have achieved so far, and to be optimistic about future progress."
Late night snack in 2012: Projected arrival of Wendy’s in the Union contested, but is the cheapest, most convenient option.
April 16, 2010
Editorial
By a DTH Editorial Board member
http://dailytarheel.com/content/late-night-snack-2012-projected-arrival-wendy%E2%80%99s-union-contested-cheapest-most-convenient-opt
"... The Union Board of Directors voted Tuesday in favor of bringing Wendy’s to the bottom of the Union. The board made the right decision....
It is no secret that Wendy’s is a fast-food joint, and eating there is not the healthiest of options. Undoubtedly, there are some who see the presence of Wendy’s as nothing more than the encroachment of another unhealthy, quick-fix establishment into our bubble.
Yes, it would be great to have a late-night on-campus restaurant that serves delicious, highly nutritious meals — for $0.99."
Come to FLO events and get involved in food issues
April 19, 2010
Letter to the Editor
By Brendan O'Boyle
Member of Fair, Local, Organic Food (UNC FLO Food)
http://www.dailytarheel.com/content/come-flo-events-and-get-involved-food-issues
"In light of recent developments regarding the University and its various dining options, it is clear that while student support of better food choices has been heard, there is room for more widespread support."
Recent big wins for human rights at the University
April 21, 2010
Letter to the Editor
By Rebecca Clay
Co-chairwoman of Alianza
http://www.dailytarheel.com/content/recent-big-wins-human-rights-university
"On top of all this good news, we received a very welcome statement from Carolina Dining Services that they will not allow the planned Wendy’s to serve tomatoes that violate the Coalition of Immokalee Workers guidelines for fair pay and working conditions. (Wendy’s has chosen not to sign the agreement.)"
Students to deliver petition to Aramark, demand Vargas' rehiring
April 22, 2010
Jessica Marker
Staf Writer
http://www.dailytarheel.com/content/students-deliver-petition-aramark-demand-vargas-rehiring
"... Students will gather in the Pit today at 12:30 p.m. to deliver a petition to administrators and Aramark Corp. officials calling for the UNC food services provider to improve how it treats its employees.
The petition, which has been signed by more than 500 members of the UNC community, demands Aramark improve its working conditions and rehire former Rams Head Dining Hall cashier Angela Vargas....
Scott Myers, director of food and vending at UNC, said the event will prompt more thought on the issue of working conditions at UNC.
“Everybody involved needs to be extra introspective,” said Myers, who added that Aramark makes personnel decisions independent of the University.
Students petition against Aramark's policies, "Miss Angie"'s firing
April 23, 2010
Melvin Backman and Victoria Cook
Staff Writers
http://dailytarheel.com/content/students-petition-against-aramarks-policies-miss-angies-firing
"...Andy Koch...said the aim of the protest was to call for greater University oversight of Aramark. “We’re not just going to let any private company do what they want on our campus,” Koch said.
"In the petition, SAW members said Aramark managers mistreat their employees in UNC dining halls and are not held to the same standards of accountability as University employees."
Chapel Hill, Carrboro residents and students hold discussion at WCHL
April 23, 2010
Staff Reports
http://dailytarheel.com/content/chapel-hill-carrboro-residents-and-students-hold-discussion-wchl
"... Although more people are buying local food in Orange County, the cost to consumers and relatively small supply from farmers limits further support for sustainable foods. Scott Myers, director of food and vending for Carolina Dining Services, emphasized the difficulties for businesses to use local, sustainable foods because of cost and availability issues.
“Being able to increase the amount we support local foods depends on what students want to eat, availability and the business model,” Myers said. “Can farmers provide food at a price to support themselves where we can sell that food to students at a price they can afford?”
Thorp petitioned with 11-item list from group of UNC students, employees:
Group seeks Thorp’s approval of 11-item list
April 27, 2010
Kellen Moore
Staff Writer
http://www.dailytarheel.com/content/thorp-petitioned-11-item-list-group-unc-students-employees
"...The resolution requested immediate action on...the Wendy’s slated for the Student Union."
Student's passion for nature leads to activism
April 28, 2010
Emma Witman
Staff Writer
http://www.dailytarheel.com/content/students-passion-nature-leads-activism
"...Meyer will lead student government’s capital projects committee next year as it examines the environmental impact of various campus projects such as the South Road bridge plan and the Wendy’s in the Student Union."
What's at stake?
"[T]he vast majority of America's meat and produce are controlled by a handful of ruthless monopolies that house animals in industrial warehouses where they are treated with unspeakable and unnecessary cruelty. These meat factories destroy family farms and rural communities and produce vast amounts of dangerous pollutants that are contaminating America's most treasured landscapes and waterways."
--The Waterkeeper Alliance, "Good Food Versus Green Eggs and Ham," 2006
"Factory farms, which mass-produce animals in assembly-line fashion, have harmed aquatic life, human health and ecosystems across the nation. As industrial-sized farms stagger under the vast burden of manure they are generating, environmental disasters are inevitable."
--The Natural Resources Defense Council, "America's Animal Factories: How States Fail to Prevent Pollution from Livestock Waste"
"Over the last 50 years, the way food animals are raised and fed has changed dramatically--to the detriment of both animals and humans. Many people are surprised to find that most of the food animals in the United States are no longer raised on farms at all. Instead they come from crowded animal factories."
--The Union of Concerned Scientists, "The Reality of Feed at Animal Factories," 2006
"Animal husbandry practices that accommodate the natural ways of animals tend to be much more in tune with sustainable and non-polluting farm practices."
--The Sierra Club, "Inhumane Treatment of Farm Animals"
