For students living on central campus, finding healthy, affordable, local food can be a challenge without a car. While there are a plethora of options for dining out on central campus, there’s a definitive lack of grocers selling sustainable produce.
One place that students can count on for accessibility to healthy food is the Student Food Co. The Student Food Co. was originally supported by Planet Blue Student Innovation Fund in 2012 and sells fruits and vegetables year-round to staff and students in Mason Hall. Recently, I reached out to Christian Mackey, President of the Student Food Co., about his experience in the organization.
“Student Food Co. is a member of the University of Michigan Sustainable Food Program. While some of the other student organizations involved in the Sustainable Food Program work in more direct ways towards sustainability, their work often has to be done off campus for logistical reasons, and therefore [these group efforts] have a more difficult time being recognized on campus,” Mackey explained. “Beyond working to source from responsible growers, Student Food Co. has more access to students and helps promote the Sustainable Food Program and the many other organizations working within it.”
“The bulk of our food comes from Frog Holler [Produce] because they have a goal of promoting sustainable food systems while giving us access to fruits and veggies not grown in Michigan that people still want to eat,” Mackey said. “Additionally, this year we are in talks with a local business to offer organically raised and more locally grown produce while keeping our food inexpensive.”
Like most student groups, there’s also a social component to the Student Food Co. Members sit in Mason Hall and socialize with faculty, students and staff buying produce. A major initiative of the Student Food Co. is to educate others about local food sources, making conversations about local food and sustainability commonplace during sales.
Mackey explained that “I have spent a lot of time in college with students who are pursuing a career in medicine, like myself, just because of my class schedule and other engagements. Student Food Co. has given me a great outlet for meeting people outside of my academic path,” he said.“The people in the club study business, environmental health, and many other fields. A diversity in perspective has been an important part of Student Food Co. operations, and I appreciate how it enriches the social aspect of working at the stand.”
Another clear incentive for the students working at the Student Food Co. stand is the tangible contribution to an environmental effort and a culture of sustainability.
“The most common benefit to eating locally, and most relevant to Student Food Co. is the reduction of the carbon footprint from transporting produce,” Mackey said. “Secondly, I would say that we live in a pretty unique area for agriculture. Michigan, and especially the area around Ann Arbor, produces a diverse range of organic, healthful foods. These organic farms are conscious about environmental health and supporting them supports a healthier environment.”
The Student Food Co. sells fresh produce in the entrance of Mason Hall every Wednesday and Thursday from 1 to 4 PM.
About the Author: Rebecca Lerner is a Planet Blue Ambassador and assists with efforts to promote sustainability. She is a U-M student studying English and Screen Arts and Culture and is working as a writer with the Graham Sustainability Institute.
Sustainability Series & Guide: This series is designed to demonstrate how local businesses and organizations highlighted in the University of Michigan (U-M) Sustainability Guide contribute to sustainability in the Ann Arbor area. Together, U-M and the broader community are working to fulfill campus sustainability goals in the areas of climate action, waste prevention, healthy environments, and community awareness. The Student Food Co. and other organizations were selected as examples of how the broader U-M and Ann Arbor community contributes toward sustainability efforts.