The Zero Hunger program is aimed at ending hunger and ensuring access to sufficient, safe, nutritious, and sustainable food for the entire population of Indonesia. Through collaboration between the government, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and individuals, this program aims to increase agricultural productivity, develop a sustainable food system, increase food security, and provide better access to food for vulnerable groups. Universitas Sumatera Utara plays an active role in supporting the Zero Hunger program in Indonesia by conducting research and innovation in the field of agriculture, developing food technology, and empowering communities in achieving availability and access to quality food.
Universitas Sumatera Utara has led efforts to manage food waste with effective and sustainable strategies throughout its campus environment. From lecture buildings, cafeterias, to hospitals, food waste is collected and managed wisely. A third party is involved in collecting this food waste, which is then used as feed for pets or as material for cultivating maggots. USU's Temporary Waste Storage Facility is a collection center, where waste management officers take over and supervise the subsequent process. In addition, the USU Green Campus program is an important milestone in managing various types of waste, including food waste. This approach reflects USU's strong vision and commitment to creating a campus that is environmentally friendly, sustainable and has a positive impact on the surrounding environment.
Universitas Sumatera Utara has demonstrated a firm commitment to organic waste management by processing 0.066 tons per day. The method of processing food waste through the use of maggot larvae as the main decomposer, as well as as a source of feed for livestock, including pigs, reflects a holistic approach in utilizing resources. In addition, wood waste and leaves from road sweepings are used as raw materials for making compost, strengthening USU's commitment to creating an environmentally friendly campus. With these steps, this university not only acts as a superior educational institution, but also as a green campus that cares about the environment in sustainable waste management practices.
Universitas Sumatera Utara has a total population of 44.913 individuals. Of this number, there are 42,687 students who are studying in various study programs. Meanwhile, there are 2,226 teaching staff who provide guidance and teaching to students. This data reflects the dynamic and committed academic community at USU, which continues to develop to produce skilled and qualified future generations.
Universitas Sumatera Utara had aware of the importance of food to the health of students and staffs therefore USU had provide canteens and cafetaria that had been managed by third-party vendor so that students and staff can maintain their nutrition, USU also done research related to food and health.
Hunger experienced by students and staff at the university is an inevitable issue, Universitas Sumatera Utara overcome this issue by issuing meal allowance for every staff on USU paid cummulatively on each month based on how many days the staff fill attendance list on Presensi USU and USU also make an effort on helping staff and students by giving them groceries on effort to overcome Covid 19.
USU had provided sustainable food choice considering there are many students with different pallate on USU, even though on USU still haven't a canteen that specially for vegetarian and vegan, USU already built a canteen called Inter Coffe that served international guest that want to visit USU.
Since 2022 USU's rector have released a regulation number 15129/UN5.1.R/KPM/2022 so that every canteen on USU must provide healthy food and snack. On that letter there also criteria that have to be met for opening canteen on USU.
Data on graduates from the University of North Sumatra (USU) shows impressive achievements. The peak of this achievement occurred in March, as many as 3,334 students successfully completed their studies, indicating USU's commitment to developing quality human resources. The month of June was also an academic success, with 1,550 students graduating during the period. In September, 3,180 students graduated from various study programs. Closing the academic year in November there were 2,232 student graduates who successfully completed their studies. Thus, the total number of USU graduates in that period reached an impressive figure, namely 10,296 students. This data confirms the valuable contribution of this university in preparing graduates who are ready to compete and have a positive impact in various sectors in society.
Universitas Sumatera Utara reported extraordinary achievements in the number of graduates from the Agriculture and Aquaculture study program, including sustainable aspects. At the master's level, the Master of Agricultural Science and Master of Agribusiness programs each produced 6 graduates, while the Master of Agroecotechnology contributed 11 students. Masters in Food Science and Masters in Animal Science also contributed, with 4 and 3 graduates respectively. At the undergraduate level, the Bachelor of Agribusiness and Bachelor of Food Science and Technology programs boast a total of 56 and 12 students graduating, respectively. Meanwhile, at the undergraduate level, USU succeeded in providing graduates from the Bachelor of Animal Husbandry, Bachelor of Agricultural Engineering, Bachelor of Agroecotechnology, and Bachelor of Water Resources Management programs who showed brilliant achievements by producing 7, 32, 116, and 14 graduates respectively. With a total of 266 graduates, USU not only provides a solid academic background, but also equips its graduates with a deep understanding of sustainable aspects in the fields of agriculture and aquaculture. This data reflects USU's dedication in supporting these crucial sectors for the welfare of society and environmental sustainability.
Food security is increasingly important for the wider community to realize, through one of student unit in USU called Pengabidan Kepada Masyarakat (dedication to public) they cooperating with local farmer and doing disscussions in order to sharing their knowledge with the locals beside PKM there also unit in USU called Pengabdian/Pelayanan kepada Masyarakat (PPKM) with the mainjob of dedication and service to public.
Universitas Sumatera Utara have been hosted events by inviting local farmers in order to do sharing knowledge, disscussions. on 2021 on Desa Semangat kabupaten Karo, USU hosted an event for sharing knowledge with local farmers and on 2022 USU hosted an event with the main subject of raising communities with low income by selling hydrophonic beansprout, these activities is based on Pengabdian Masyarakat program.
Universitas Sumatera Utara participating in help and support local farmer, one of the example is by giving a technology or machine for helping local farmer, on Sept 2022 one of lecturer on USU, Prof. Dr. Eng. Himsar Ambarita ST, MT and Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat team make an innovation by utilizing agricultural waste, that will be given to farmers and people on Panti Karya Hephata.
Universitas Sumatera Utara through SEC USU (Student Entreprenurship Center) launches an expo that sold product-product made by USU's students there are also food product such as MiUSU (Minyak USU) a vegetable oil that made by USU's Student and else.