Students, faculty and community members can now purchase freshly grown and local produce every Wednesday through a new program at the West campus.
The Community Supported Agriculture program at the West campus, which supports local farmers and brings fresh produce to the community, recently began its own food distribution program.
The program, now in its second week, didn’t take long to develop after the initial idea was conceived, said Leslie Lindo, program coordinator for ASU’s University Sustainability Practices.
Crooked Sky Farms, a local farm that grows produce naturally, partnered with the program and brings freshly grown and picked food once every week to campus, where members pick out what they want. The first farm delivery was made Sept. 15.
The farm, located about 16 miles from the West campus, was chosen because the CSA supports its farming practices, which does not include the use of chemical herbicides or pesticides, Lindo said.
It costs $20 per week to be a member of this group and receive fruits and vegetables every Wednesday. The membership fee is to be paid either in two installments or one lump sum at the beginning of the semester, Lindo said. The cost is prorated if a member joins at a later date.
For example, joining next week would mean a total of $200 is owed that can be paid in full at that time or $100 then and $100 at a later due date.
This membership opportunity is open to students, faculty and surrounding community members.
At the first farm delivery, there were 32 members who paid for the semester, and all showed up, Lindo said.
Stephanie Starks, a stay-at-home mom, is a part of a partnership membership for the program. This means she splits the fee with a friend and they share the amount of food they receive each week.
“I love organics and the food here is certified naturally grown, which means the farm adheres to higher growing and soil standards,” Starks said.
She heard about this program through her friend, who is an ASU student at the West campus.
Each week eight different items are offered, Lindo said, such as fruits and vegetables. This week there were pistachios.
The items vary weekly depending on what is available for harvesting on the farm. All items distributed are picked in the morning and are delivered from 2 until 3:30 p.m. in the east lobby of the University Center Building. The distribution takes place weekly on Wednesdays until Dec. 1.
The food at the distribution is convenient, said Sharon Coslin, lab manager for ASU’s Mathematics and Natural Science Department.
Currently, Coslin is not a member, but she intends to join after seeing what was available today.
Similar programs like Campus Harvest, a community garden and Poly Harvest, are found on the Tempe, Polytechnic and Downtown campuses. West was the last of the four campuses to have a similar agricultural program.
If the program receives loyal members, it will continue distribution during the spring semester, Lindo said.
Reach the reporter at hfogel@asu.edu
