INFORMATION FOR THE MEDIA

Contacts

For more information or to schedule interviews, please contact UNH Media Relations.

Talking Points

• What is EcoGastronomy? "Gastronomy", which is defined as "the art and appreciation of preparing and eating good food," is paired with the prefix "eco", indicating that the "art and appreciation" of food cannot be separated from our agriculture, our environment, and the myraid social, economic, political, and ethical issues associated with food production and eating. EcoGastronomy represents a highly innovative and interdisciplinary approach to studying our food community.
• UNH is the first university in the US to create an academic program in EcoGastronomy.
• UNH undergraduate students studying any discipline -- from agriculture to hospitality mangement to nutrition to journalism and more -- can add the dual major in EcoGastronomy to their primary studies. (Learn more about student requirements.)
• UNH's dual major in EcoGastronomy is experiential, interdisciplinary and international by design in order to help students truly understand and advance sustainable food systems -- from farm to fork to health and nutrition outcomes.
• The dual major in EcoGastronomy is an innovative collaboration of the Whittemore School of Business and Economics and the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture, in partnership with the Sustainability Academy.
• The dual major in EcoGastronomy was developed through a collaborative partnership with the University of Gastronomic Sciences.
• In May of 2006, UNH signed the Agreements of Intentions and Collaborations “for the purpose of creating a worldwide network of universities and research institutions linked to the International Slow Food Association.” These principles include “protection of agricultural biodiversity,” “support of the rights of peoples to self-determination with regard to food,” and “education of civilized society and training of workers in the food and agricultural sector.” UNH is one of ten universities in the U.S. to have signed the principles, and the first to award the founder of Slow Food—Carlo Petrini—an honorary degree.
• UNH's dual major in EcoGastronomic is part of the university's Food and Society Initiative (FAS) and broader commitment to sustainability. UNH is committed to being a Sustainable Food Community that promotes healthy food systems from farm to fork to health and nutrition outcomes.
• Please also read our Frequently Asked Questions.