Oberlin Student Co-operative Association
( Oberlin OH 44074 )
Contact Name:
Iris Hunt
Contact Title:
Co-op Financial Manager
Telephone:
() -
E-Mail:
oberlin_student_co-operative_association
Program Web Site:
osca.wilder.oberlin.edu
Who was most responsible for initiating your farm-to-college program?

Student(s)
In what year did the program begin?

Other, please specify:
Are students actively involved in maintaining the program?

yes
How are the students involved in the program?

Coordinating purchase/delivery of products

Food preparation

Work in campus/student farm or garden

Member of project planning/advisory committee

Menu/event planning

Researching availability of local products

Researching costs/benefits of local purchasing
What role, if any, have cooperative extension agents or other agency/agricultural professionals played in the farm-to-college program?

Not Involved
What role, if any, would be useful for cooperative extension agents or other agency/agricultural professionals to play in the farm-to-college program?

Not Involved
Who runs/is primarily responsible for the farm-to-college program? (please choose primary person/group in charge)

Student
Where do the majority of your locally purchased farm products come from?

Same city/county (ie., less than 50 miles)
What are the primary local farm products you purchase? (please list top 3-5 items)

Other, please specify:
Are any of these local food products organically grown?

yes

yes
Approximately how much, in dollars, does dining/food services spend annually on local farm products?

Other, please specify:

Other, please specify:
What is the approximate total number of individual farmers you purchase products from during an entire calendar year?

6-10 farmers

6-10 farmers
Who/where are local products purchased from?

Campus/student farm or garden

Distributor(s)

Individual farmer(s)
Are local food products used in...

Regular menus

Special events
Was external funding or other resources (grants, equipment, etc.) used to...

Not used

Is there a local farmer's organization (i.e., a cooperative) involved in your program that was in place prior to the program's start?

Other, please specify:
Have you used any of the following to promote the program or enhance its educational value?

Information in dining locations about the program

Speakers/demonstrations

Special events (eg., local foods dinner)
What, if any, other environmental initiatives on your campus are connected with the farm-to-college program?

Canning projects

College/student farm

Composting program
Are there any bidding requirements for purchasing local food?

no

no
Do local products cost more on average?

yes

yes
If yes, how do you manage the higher price?

Pass cost directly on to consumer
What do you see as the most significant barriers to starting or sustaining farm-to-college programs?

Coordinating purchase/delivery of products

Product price

Product quality

Seasonal availability of products
What do you see as the most significant benefits from farm-to-college programs?

Higher quality food

Lower environmental impacts

Opportunity for student education/research

Supporting local farmers, community and/or economy
Of the following policy issues, please choose up to two, if any, that you believe would provide the most significant support for farm-to-college programs:

Grants/subsidies to help farmers organize cooperatives

Grants/subsidies to help farmers shift to more sustainable production and direct marketing
What strategies, if any, do you recommend for making farm-to-college programs work?

Be patient but persistent

Start small, such as planning a local foods dinner
Is dining/food services:

Self-operated

Self-operated
Does food services use a (please choose most appropriate answer):

Mixed plan

Mixed plan