Goal 2. Zero Hunger
2.3.4 Healthy and affordable food choices
2023-2024
AASTMT demonstrates a strong institutional commitment to health and well-being by providing diverse, nutritious, and affordable food options through its strategically managed dining facilities. AASTMT runs a network of restaurants, cafeterias, and coffee shops across all campuses, ensuring easy access for students and staff. Multiple venues reduce travel time, especially during short breaks. Facilities offer full meals, beverages, and light snacks, with some located near academic buildings for convenience. Extended hours and dormitory dining provide flexible options, including evenings and night shifts, ensuring all community members have consistent access to meals. Recognizing nutrition as a foundation for academic excellence, physical health, and psychological well-being, AASTMT integrates nutrient-rich meals, balanced menu planning, dietary inclusivity, affordability, and sustainability to support optimal physical and mental performance.
Provision of Nutritious and Balanced Food Choices
The Academy’s menu planning emphasizes balanced meals that suit diverse preferences of its students and help prevent malnutrition of its students. This is accommodated through:
- Vegetarian and Vegan Options: Plant-based alternatives are given equal prominence, offering legume proteins, tofu, and varied vegetable dishes to ensure nutritional completeness.
- Allergen-Friendly Choices: Gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free options support individuals with allergies or intolerances, ensuring safe and accessible dining.
- Religious Dietary Observances: Halal and other faith-based accommodations demonstrate respect for diverse religious practices.
Affordability and Financial Accessibility
AASTMT uses strategic pricing mechanisms to ensure financial constraints do not limit access to nutritious meals. Subsidized programs offer 5–30% discounts for all community members, while full-scholarship students receive free meals, removing financial barriers for those most in need. This is done through advanced operational efficiency measures that doesn’t compromise nutritional quality. Strategic procurement lowers costs through bulk purchasing and local supplier partnerships, while efficient inventory management reduces waste and spoilage.
https://aast.edu/en/affairs/student-affairs/contenttemp.php?page_id=48600009
2022-2023
AASTMT is committed to promoting the health and well-being of its campus community by providing healthy and affordable food choices across selected campus dining outlets.
Provision of Healthy Food Choices:
- Nutrient-rich Meals: AASTMT's dining facilities serve a wide variety of nutritious options, including fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy, ensuring a balanced diet for students and staff.
- Balanced Menus: Meal planning emphasizes a balance of macronutrients and essential vitamins to meet the dietary needs of the campus community, encouraging healthy eating habits.
- Dietary Preferences: The university caters to diverse dietary needs, offering dedicated options for vegetarians, vegans, and individuals with specific dietary restrictions or allergies.
Affordability and Accessibility:
- Affordable Meals: AASTMT ensures affordability through subsidized meal plans, enabling all students, including those from low-income backgrounds, to access quality meals without financial strain.
- Support for Vulnerable Students: Students facing financial challenges or on scholarships are provided free or discounted meal plans, ensuring their basic nutritional needs are met without hindrance to their academic performance.
By ensuring access to nutritious and affordable food, AASTMT fosters a healthier campus community, reducing inequalities and supporting the overall well-being of its students and staff. These initiatives reflect the university's commitment to creating an inclusive and health-conscious environment, aligning with global sustainability goals.
2021-2022
AASTMT is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of its students and staff by providing a wide array of healthy food choices on campus. Recognizing the importance of nutrition in supporting optimal physical and mental performance, AASTMT ensures that its dining facilities offer a range of nutritious options. These options may include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products. AASTMT's commitment to healthy food choices extends to menu planning, where emphasis is placed on balanced meals and the use of wholesome ingredients. Additionally, the campus may offer salad bars, made-to-order options, and allergen-friendly alternatives to accommodate individual dietary needs and preferences. By providing healthy food choices, AASTMT aims to create an environment that fosters the overall well-being of its community, enabling individuals to make nourishing choices that support their academic and personal success.
