Healthy eating and environmental conscientiousness are cultural staples of society today and the UCLA Student Food Co-Op is taking tangible action to make them a cornerstone in university living.
Some universities have their own charming farmer's markets days where local producers set up camp, giving students a chance to buy fresh groceries and homemade treats. The UCLA Food Co-op decided to grow its own crops on site. Since some campuses are not short on green space, they are potentially perfect grounds for providing healthier choices that commercial vendors lack. The student organization aims to open the fully student-run and cultivated market on the Westwood campus by 2013.
If every university were self-sustaining, students could cut down the environmental costs that come with sourcing food from large corporations and ward off the notorious undergraduate weight gain.
Campus Cultivated Farms
The UCLA Student Food Co-Op Brings Better Food to University
Trend Themes
1. Campus Cultivated Farms - Opportunity to establish on-campus farms at universities to provide healthier food options and promote sustainability.
2. Local Produce Markets - Opportunity to create farmer's markets on university campuses to support local producers and provide fresh groceries and homemade treats.
3. Student-run Food Co-ops - Opportunity for student organizations to establish fully student-run and cultivated markets on university campuses.
Industry Implications
1. Higher Education - Universities can explore the establishment of on-campus farms and farmer's markets to promote healthy living and sustainability among students.
2. Agriculture - Agricultural businesses can partner with universities to provide expertise and resources for establishing on-campus farms and cultivating fresh produce.
3. Food and Beverage - Food and beverage companies can collaborate with student-run food co-ops to supply healthy and sustainable products to university campuses.