Local Food On Campus: Farmers, Colleges Collaborate (Continued from Page A 1) This past year, the Pennsylva nia Association For Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) kicked off a Farm-to-College program to link farmers and college food service programs across the state. Heather House, program coor dinator, hosted a meeting of farmers and college food direc tors this week at West Chester University. A total of about 40 people attended the meeting. Food purchasers were on hand from a number of institutions, in cluding Millersville University, West Chester University, Muh lenburg College, Ursinus College, and Swarthmore. House discussed some farm-to college projects she has been working on, including one at Slippery Rock University, Butler County, where she earned a mas ter’s degree this past spring. While a student in the Sustain able Systems Program, House coordinated a relationship be tween local farmers and AR AMARK, Slippery Rock Univer sity’s food service supplier. compact tractor features increased horsepower (22 PTO HP), heavy-duty construction and easy operation for nursery work, light construction and farm chores. Powered by a quiet-and-clean Kubota E-TVCS diesel engine, the 82910 Premier 'Plus' features deluxe cruise control, high-performance power steering and increased hydraulic power. The 82910 has an adjustable deluxe seat and a backlit instrument panel for easy day/night monitoring. Three-speed ranges, a dual pump hydraulic system and rear and mid PTO are standard. A powerful Category I, 3-pomt hitch handles a variety of performance-matched implements. For greater lift capacity, the performance-matched LA4O2 loader is easy to operate and is compatible with either 60" or 72" mid-mount mower. For a rugged, powerful tractor that works as hard as you do, see the Kubota 82910. YOUR FULL LINE KUBOTA PRODUCT HEADQUARTERS • INVENTORY • PRICE • KNOWLEDGEABLE SALES STAFF • SERVICE EXPERIENCE ARAMARK agreed to buy at least 10 percent of the food served at the university from local farmers. Seven area farmers formed a cooperative to provide the food for the university. Logistics were worked out between ARAMARK and the farmers. “A lot of excitement was generated from that,” House said. There were obstacles to over come and a lot of learning in the process. “The very first (local) order we got had slugs in the lettuce,” House said. “It was exactly what had to go wrong for us to become committed to the project. According to House, the pro gram was working well until re cently, when ARAMARK lost the university’s food service contract. At this point, it will likely take some time for the university to adjust to a new food provider be fore trying to buy local again, House said. Farmers at the meeting as sured food directors that the products they sell are high quali- Kubota College food purchasers meet with farmers to discuss local food buying options. ty, safe, and can be delivered to the satisfaction of the college. Jim Stauffer, beef producer and direct-marketer from Lan caster, said that all of his beef can be “source-verified” because calves are raised on the farm and the finished cattle are processed at a local facility. William Lesher, dairyman and milk bottler from Way-Har Farms, Berk County, said that on-farm processors are subject to the same regulations as large pro cessors. “We’re inspected with the same laws that apply to the biggest dairy in the country,” Lesher said. Lesher said his advantage is in providing a fresher product. “It’s in the cow today and it’s in your cooler tomor row,” he said. House noted ways that colleges can benefit from buying local. Students tend to like the food. Also, good public relations are generat ed by the college supporting the local economy. Other schools that are de veloping farm-to-college markets are Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport and Allegheny College in the northwest part of the state. The Pennsylvania College of Technology conducted student taste tests comparing milk from a typical universi ty supplier with milk from Milky Way Farms, a dairy farm and bottling operation in Bradford County. Stu dents preferred the milk that came straight from the farm, and boosted their consump tion by 30 percent, according to House. House urged farmers to develop relationships with food directors and staff, and be professional, organized and reliable. One way to get started. House said, is that farmers can introduce themselves to a food service director and share product samples. They *37 vr? 3? *3? *3? t? 3? 3? 3? 37 37 3? *3? 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House recommended “making a fuss” about local products, get ting students excited so that the idea of local food “permeates the culture of the university.” Farmers interested in direct marketing should also make sure they are listed on the Website www.localharvest.org, a resource for purchasers looking for local products. Heather House coordinates farm-to-college food mar keting. Photos by Dave Lefever i ffii i / iif, 1-4*l,4*i 5357 Scott Bailey, food purchasing manager at Millersville Universi ty, coordinates occasional events on campus featuring local food, and is interested in buying more from area farmers. Educational institutions are re liable customers, he told farmers at the meeting. “College food services tend to pay their bills, where if you sell to restaurants, you’re rolling the dice,” Bailey said. Kassab of Swarthmore noted that college food purchasers do not base their buying decisions on price alone. Quality and timeli ness of delivery are also consid erations, she said. FARM SHOW 2004 What a treat we have in store for the annual Lancaster Farming issue of Farm Show! Scheduled for the Jan. 10 issue; features from farmers who are going to the winter agricultural showcase event at the Farm Show Complex and their experiences in attending the great event m Harrisburg. Also scheduled; the * annual FFA Keystone Degree winners and a com- ]Jg* plete schedule of events, including the many demonstrations for farmers during Farmer Days.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers