Welcome to the Oberlin College Local Foods Program Website!

photo by Brad Masi

Oberlin College Campus Dining Service (CDS) has been purchasing locally grown and produced food since the fall of 2001. CDS local foods program began as a student-initiated effort in 1999 to try to incorporate local and organic foods into the dining halls. We have achieved much success in the past few years: Just this year (August 2002-March 2003), CDS has spent $119,856 (5% of the total food budget) directly on local vendors. 35% of the local products purchased were organic. CDS has also purchased an estimated $100,000 of local foods this year through their produce distributor Premier Produce who purchases fresh produce from Amish produce auctions in Ohio.

This site is intended to educate students, farmers, and college dining service managers about the opportunities and challenges of connecting local farmers to college dining services.