Mission
Why sustainable food?
Because so many of us have lost touch with the people and places that produce our food. Because everyone eats, and eating is an agricultural act – and a political act. Because the earth gives us so much, and we want to give back. Our mission is to educate and inspire the campus community to produce and consume food that respects people, animals, plants, soil, water, and air.
History
SuFI was founded in 2005. In 2007, we established a small organic garden on Hope Street. In 2009, the Real Food Initiative became a part of Brown Dining Services’ Sustainability Program.
Past speakers include Michael Pollan, Peter Singer, and Gene Baur.
Past workshops include fermentation and canning.
Past film screenings include King Corn, Truck Farm, and Fair Food: Field to Table.
Projects and Events
- Selling ripe calendars – order yours today!
- Meeting and eating with hundreds of farmers, chefs, and politicians at the Local Food Forum, February 8 in Andrews Dining Hall
- Meeting and eating with hundreds of students, farmers, and activists at the Northeast Food and Justice Summit, February 25-27 at Northeastern University in Boston
- Hosting a Global Nutrition Conference on March 6 with the Swearer Center, the Global Health Initiative, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, and Edesia Global Nutrition Solutions
- Establishing a springtime farmer’s market!
- Expanding the garden into a full-scale farm!
Market Shares
Market Shares is modeled after CSAs, or Community Supported Agriculture, to facilitate the purchase and distribution of local, seasonal food. Each season, participants pay SuFI’s partner farmers to fund their growing season. In the fall, the farmers bring us shares consisting of seasonal vegetables, fruits, and local artisanal food products including bread and cheese. We are using this model to promote local agriculture and food consumption by providing the logistical support, organization and communal space for the development of local food relationships between RI farmers and consumers.
In the winter and spring, we partner with Farm Fresh RI’s Market Mobile to run the “Market Mobile Shares Program”. By using Market Mobile, a farm-to-business ordering and distribution system, we order bulk produce from local farmers to make up our weekly “shares”. Through this program, we are supporting local agriculture and promoting distribution services and programs that support the growth of a local food economy. If you are interested in signing up for a share, please contact sufi.market.shares (AT) gmail (DOT) com. If you have any general questions or are interested in getting involved with these programs, please contact Mary Alice at Mary_Reilly (AT) brown (DOT) edu.
Contact
Questions? Suggestions? Want to be added to our listserv? Plant a seed at brown.sufi (AT) gmail (DOT) com!
Links
Food Classes, Spring 2011
Sustenance and Sustainability
The Politics of Food
Eating Cultures: Food and Society
On Campus
Brown Dining Services Sustainability Program
Brown Nourish International
Brown Animal Rights Club
Sustenance and Sustainability Blog
Little Garden Project Blog
Farm Labor History Blog
A lovely article from the Brown Spectator
In Providence
Farm Fresh RI
Southside Commmunity Land Trust
New Urban Farmers
Environmental Justice League
Around the World
Rosasharn Farm
Real Food Challenge
WWOOF (World-wide Opportunities on Organic Farms)
Somewhere Superlative
