For the second year in a row, BrainFeeders, a student organization in Falk College’s Food Studies program, is partnering with Common Threads CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) to bring fresh produce to campus. All Syracuse University and ESF faculty, staff and students are invited to participate in the Fall 2016 program that will run for nine weeks (September 1 through October 27).
Beginning the first Thursday in September, Common Thread Farm will deliver boxes to campus for its members. The drop off location will be under the Huntington Beard Crouse Hall portal every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. If members are interested in campus delivery to another location, BrainFeeders will deliver CSA boxes for an additional fee of $5 (locations around the general campus area, only). The deadline to sign up is August 15.
Two share sizes are available this year. A full share is $280 total (approximately $31 per week), with 8 to 10 types of sustainably and locally grown vegetables. A half share is $150 total (approximately $16 per week) and has 4 to 5 types of sustainably and locally grown vegetables. Vegetables to be expected in a box include lettuce, beets, carrots, peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, potatoes, herbs, eggplant, onions, winter squash, kale, chard, garlic, leeks, celery and more.
According to Felicia Ramallo, a food studies and nutrition science double major in Falk College and BrainFeeders secretary, “the CSA is one of our long-term projects to encourage students to have a connection with a farmer and become more connected with the local foods that are produced around central New York.” BrainFeeders was created in 2015 and is working to establish long-lasting food access and justice programs throughout the SU/ESF campus.
“The on-campus CSA program, organized by our food studies student club, is one of the many ways the students in our program are taking initiative and applying what they are learning in classes. We are constantly impressed by what this group takes on and how they get students and other community members engaged in local and sustainable food system projects,” says Laura-Anne Minkoff-Zern, assistant professor, food studies, and BrainFeeders faculty advisor.