New initiative aims to foster diversity talks

In a few weeks, students will be able to wine and dine at intimate dinner parties in various eateries on and off campus.

At the Duke Univeristy Student Dining Advisory Committee’s Monday night meeting, DUSDAC co-Chair Alex Klein announced that the dinner discussions will focus on diversity and integration in a manner similar to the student-led retreat program Common Ground. Klein, a junior, is also The Chronicle’s online editor.

Committee member Michael Kramarz, a senior, will lead the project and confirm details regarding funding, location and participants. The inspiration behind the dinner parties stems from Across the Table, a Chicago-based nonprofit program that allows eight individuals to eat together and discuss topics like race, identity and religion. The meals take place at a variety of restaurants around the city.

“The dinners would bring together students who typically stay in their own social groups and would never sit down and have a meal together,” Kramarz said.

He added that he wants to hold the first dinner before spring break, with biweekly meals to follow. The eight to 12 participants in each dinner would complete a short application prior to the dinner.

“I don’t think there will be any shortage of interest in this,” Klein said.

In other business:

Carolina Fojo, east coast fellow for Bon Appétit Management Company, discussed the company’s efforts to ensure sustainability in its food production. The Farm to Fork program guarantees that 25 percent of Bon Appétit’s produce is bought locally within 150 miles. Fojo said the company also follows livestock regulations, including purchasing meat from farms that raise animals without routine antibiotics and eggs from uncaged birds.