Vote for Matthew Rothe

MATTHEW ROTHE, director of Stanford Dining’s Sustainable Food Program, has been named a finalist in the inaugural Real Food Awards for his leadership in creating a university policy to support more sustainable food practices. Rothe is credited for partnering with students to decrease food waste by more than 50 percent in one dining hall and for working to purchase “real” food from independently owned and ethical food businesses.

The Real Food Awards are sponsored by the Real Food Challenge (RFC), an organization that aims to shift at least 20 percent, or $1 billion, of university food purchasing from conventional to “real” sources by 2020 through student-led campaigns.

Rothe is up for an award in the Food Service Managers category. Other categories include students and student groups, faculty members or administrators, cafeteria worker-leaders and food producers.

According to a press release issued by the RFC, “All of the candidates have been chosen by students because they represent people who are truly making changes in the food culture on their campuses. The Real Food Awards are the only national recognition for excellence in food service voted on by the customers themselves — a ‘People’s Choice Award’ for the food industry.”

The finalists were announced and voting began Oct. 24 as part of the national Food Day. Within the first two days there were more than 600 votes. There is still time to cast your ballot for Rothe. Voting closes Wednesday, Nov. 9.

Winners will be announced on Friday, Nov. 18.