HEALTHY PLATES - 2025 Harvard Climate Action Week

HEALTHY PLATES FOR PEOPLE AND PLANET

Did you know that you can reduce your risk for disease and reduce your environmental impact at the same time by centering plants in your diet, and by shopping, storing, and cooking your food with intention? Increasing the proportion of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and pulses in your diet can benefit your health. Small, sustainable changes in your own kitchen can benefit the planet.

To get you started with ideas, Harvard campus cafes will offer accessible plant-forward meals on their menus throughout Harvard Climate Action Week (HCAW). You will also learn about how our cafes promote healthy eating all year round and how our cafe and operations staff weave sustainability into every aspect of cafe operations and university life. Since 2019, Harvard’s Sustainable and Healthful Food Standards have ensured we are making continuous progress across areas such as: climate, nutrition, education and food literacy, food waste, and animal welfare.

See the tabs below to: download some of the recipes featured in our cafes; get tips for eating healthfully and sustainably at home; source ideas for getting involved in the local food system; and find out more about healthy eating and sustainability initiatives at Harvard. (Note that the inclusion of links to external organizations is for reference only and does not signify an endorsement by Harvard University.)

This effort is co-sponsored by the Zhu Center for Global Cancer Prevention and The Nutrition Source team at the Department of Nutrition at the T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Harvard Office for Sustainability. Our cafe partners in this event are Harvard University Dining Services, Restaurant Associates, and Rebecca’s Cafe.

These participating cafes will have specialty items and thematic highlights all week.

Farmers’ Market | Tuesday, September 16th 11:30am-5:30pm

Harvard's Science Center Plaza | 1 Oxford Street, Cambridge

The Market was founded in 2005, and operates on The Plaza outside Harvard’s Science Center (near the corner of Oxford and Kirkland Streets). The Farmers’ Market at Harvard accepts: SNAP; Women, Infant & Children (WIC) coupons; Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) coupons; and, also doubles the value of EBT purchases up to $15 per week. Click here for more information.

Meet the Bees Workshop | Friday, September 19th 2:30pm-3:30pm

Smith Campus Center, 10th Floor

Did you know Harvard has apiaries on campus? Join us for an engaging and informative Meet The Bees Workshop to delve into the fascinating world of bees and the honey they produce. Discover the vital role bees play in our ecosystem, their complex behaviors, and the journey from hive to honey jar. Led by a beekeeping expert from Alvéole, workshop highlights will include:

The science of bees and their critical role in global pollination and biodiversity
Beekeeping 101 to gain insights into the art and science of urban beekeeping techniques
and sustainable practices
Honey production process overview to understand how bees create honey and the methods involved in harvesting and processing honey
Interactive elements including a viewing of the active apiaries on the 10th floor of Harvard’s
Smith Campus Center

Expand your knowledge, engage in meaningful discussions, and enjoy a sweet afternoon learning about bees!
This event is open to all HUID holders. Registration is required. Click here for more information.

Co-hosted by Harvard Common Spaces, the Food Literacy Project, the Office for Sustainability, and Harvard Real Estate