Colleges eat fresh by purchasing from local farmers (AP/CNN)

[eppur_se_muova]

HYDE PARK, New York (AP) -- An earthy abundance from local farms comes through the loading docks of the Culinary Institute of America: sprigs of asparagus in the spring, peas and beets in the summer, apples and squash in the fall.

The food -- much of it taken from the soil the day before -- provides fresh fodder from the Hudson Valley for the riverside school's five restaurants and classroom kitchens.

Just as importantly, it drums up business for the farmers.

The culinary institute, which buys directly from about two dozen local farms, is among the many colleges providing healthier choices for their students while throwing a lifeline to farmers getting by on thin margins.
***
The Web site farmtocollege.org lists more than 100 college buying programs, with such participants as Harvard University, Ohio University and theUniversity of California, Santa Barbara.
***
more: http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/09/29/college.kitchens.ap/index.html

Growing locally means less fuel burned shipping food long distance. Our local college has a strong local purchase/local use program like this.

[orpupilofnature57]

1. That's Community,Coool

[havocmom]

2. University of Montana - there was a cool article in paper while back

will try to dig it up.

[havocmom]

4. Couldn't find the story about UM but here's one about grade school

lunches and local food producers

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2006/09/22/news/local/news07.txt

[nam78_two]

3. neat/nt