Fresh organic fruits and vegetables will be available to students for the next 20 weeks, according to Allan Balliett, the biodynamic community-supported agriculture farmer who supplies AU with the produce.
For the third year in a row, students have the opportunity to purchase 20 weeks' worth of vegetables at a total cost of $525, Balliett said. Students pay ahead of time, and Balliett comes from West Virginia to deliver a new bag of produce under the tunnel each week.
Daisy Landers, a freshman in the School of Communication, said although she has a meal plan, she would be more likely to buy the CSA produce as an on-campus student rather than as an off-campus one because of the convenience of the service.
"I think if I lived off campus, it would just be so much easier to go to the grocery store, but living on campus, it's delivered right to the tunnel," she said.
It is a way that city dwellers and farmers are partnering to re-establish the relationship between farmers and buyers, according to Balliett. This makes the buyers part owners of the farm.
"Each week, I bring you your share," Balliett said. "I only grow what people have already bought."
Unlike typical farmers who worry whether their produce will sell, Balliett said he does not need to worry about his income since he sells all the produce at the beginning of the season before anything is even harvested.
Balliett said he uses the energy not wasted on worrying to provide a quality product for his customers. Balliett grows his produce with an eye on conservation and regeneration, he said. There is also a difference in the timing of when people receive his produce.
"Virtually all the food is harvested that morning," he said.
Though food from Whole Foods may be organic, like Balliett's produce, it is harvested three weeks before you buy it, Balliett said.
Landers said she appreciated the idea that college students could help Balliett make a living but questioned how many would participate.
Balliett said he is appreciative of his customer base.
"There aren't a huge amount of students who buy from me, but those who do are really enthusiastic," Balliett said.
Dan Torres, a sophomore in the School of Public Affairs, said the program might be better if meat were included.
"I don't think it is something that would appeal to everyone," he said. "I can think of at least three of my friends who are vegetarians who would love that."
Laura Petti, a sophomore in SOC, said she thought the program could be more effective if it were more flexible in choice.
"I think it's a good idea, but it definitely could never substitute for a meal plan," Petti said.
Landers said the price also probably makes students less likely to use the service.
"It seems like a lot to pay at once, but I guess when you spread that out over 20 weeks, it's worth it," she said.
