North Carolina State University
IN-3: Innovation 3

University Dining at NC State is committed to a partnership with the campus Agroecology Education Farm. This farm, hosted by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is a teaching farm that helps to provide organic food to the dining halls on campus, while educating students on organic practices and real world application through a business model that is similar to that of the outside market.

In order to expand production, University Dining has purchased two hoop houses that will not only expand the bounty produced at the farm, but also add a critical component of season extension that will allow peak production to last into the school year when most of the students are on campus. After the completed construction of the hoop houses, it is estimated that production will increase to approximately 6000-7000 pounds per year. In addition to the food provided to the campus dining halls throughout the year, University Dining hosts two events each year that feature exclusively local food, much of which is provided by the Agroecology Education Farm. These events are the All Carolinas Meal, which takes place each fall semester and Farm Feast, which occurs each spring. Both events include education and outreach. University Dining and the Agroecology Farm are also partnering to host a farm to fork dinner that bring together many campus partners and members from the community who all will play a vital role in the continued success of the farm. This dinner will be comprised of menu items cooked with food from the farm.