At UPWr, food production is carried out at the Research and Teaching Stations in Samotwór and Psary, following the principles of sustainable development and sustainable production. We primarily use renewable materials for cultivation, select varieties with greater disease resistance, and maintain collections of traditional varieties (old varieties, gene reservoirs for the future).
Research at both stations focuses on eco-friendly cultivation, ecological plant protection, the use of innovative forms of fertilizers, non-chemical protection methods, finding alternatives to peat in horticultural applications, and exploring ways to use various waste materials (e.g., grape pomace, waste from wine, vegetable, or fruit production) in agricultural cultivation.
At the stations, we use composting methods and implement rainwater harvesting. The Innovative Technology Center in Psary operates a water and nutrient recovery system, which involves reusing the water. Water from the greenhouses is used in field crops or in the flower collection.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
We source products from local suppliers, such as fruit trees that we cannot produce ourselves. These activities are implemented in both the production part and the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiative at the university—a collaborative, responsible, and sustainable way of producing food in suburban areas. We also supply products to local consumers. Seasonally, we provide food to UPWr employees and, in the future, to students as part of CSA and seasonal fruit and pickle sales.
We collaborate with local food producers under commercial agreements and with UPWr alumni, for example, by collecting apples (windfalls) for juice production.
Canteens
Our university has two canteens:
- Vanilla in the main building (Norwida 25), open from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM (breakfast available from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM).
- The Canteen in the Didactic-Scientific Center (Grunwaldzki Square 24a), open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Monday to Saturday) and 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM (Sundays).
The canteens operate in a buffet style with food sold by weight, allowing everyone to create their own meal. Dishes are labeled and grouped by starch side dishes, meat dishes, fish, vegetarian dishes, and salads, making it easier to compose a meal according to personal dietary preferences. The meals are mainly prepared using products from Polish brands. The canteens offer a sustainable selection of affordable, healthy, and nutrient-rich food for everyone on campus.
The menu is not fixed, but the following are available daily:
- One type of soup
- A choice of starch side dishes: potatoes, groats, rice
- Homemade flour products: dumplings, Silesian kluski, pierogi, sweet and savory pancakes
- Meat dishes: breaded meat and meat in sauce
- Fried fish
- Vegetarian dishes: spinach lasagna, vegetable cutlets, chickpeas with vegetables, stuffed cabbage, vegetable frittata, salads
- Homemade compote
The cost is 5.79 PLN per 100g of food, and students and staff receive a 10% discount.
