Instead of sourcing high-quality produce and shipping it from a distributor to campus, McGill University promotes sustainability with their McGill Feeding McGill program. The program brings farms on campus, which feed their students and faculty. Going directly from farm to table cuts down on transportation and storage costs while being much better for the environment overall. Aside from that, farmers at the McGill farms enjoy sustained business selling produce at a competitive price, which keeps them from going hungry themselves. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here