At A Glance
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Niagara County, New York, is partnering with the University at Buffalo (UB) Campus Dining and Shops to reduce sodium in campus meals and snacks. Every day, UB serves 34,000 students and faculty in three dining centers and 40 retail units. Sodium reduction strategies included product replacement and recipe modification. UB worked with a CCE dietitian to implement these strategies to improve nutrition and increase access to lower sodium options.
Public Health Challenge
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death in New York State. One in three Erie County adults (33%) have diagnosed high blood pressure, according to the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. High-sodium diets can increase the risk of high blood pressure, and most of the sodium in the American diet comes from processed food. Students at the University at Buffalo (UB) rely on campus dining for most of their meals, including dining centers, carry-out locations, and convenience options. Some deli meats, sides, and premade items served contain excess sodium. Grab and Go meals and snacks are a convenient option for busy students; however, among the 125 Grab and Go items offered by UB, the average sodium content is over 1,000mg. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends no more than 2,300 mg of sodium daily.
Approach