Tuskegee University students once again have the opportunity to consume wholesome nutritious food grown on campus. Fresh vegetables, including those organically and conventionally grown by students using hydroponic technology, are being served in the cafeteria as part of the TU2U Initiative.
Feeding students vegetables grown on campus by the College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences is not new. As early as 1882, students could be found on the university's campus participating in programs that provided food to individuals matriculating on campus.
It was a student suggestion last year that turned into a program that provides the food being grown on campus to TU students. This builds on initiatives that CAENS has already in place for the past couple of years through state programs that provide carrots, bell peppers, fresh blackeyed peas, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, zephyr squash, collard greens, kale, mustard greens and more to schools within Alabama. They include Elmore County schools, as well as several Macon County schools, the D.C. Wolfe School in Shorter, Booker T. Washington High School, George Washington Carver Elementary School, Notasulga High School, Tuskegee Institute Middle School and Tuskegee Public School.
© Tuskegee University
"This work goes back to 1882 when our agriculture department fed our students," said Dr. Olga Bolden-Tiller, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences. "This is a joint effort with the university, students and Perkins Management Services to help source nutritious, wholesome food in our cafeteria."
The launch of TU2U and vegetable distribution to locals is timely as it was aligned with the university's 133rd Annual Farmers Conference last week. That event was originally named the "Peoples Conference," aimed to provide training on advances in agricultural production while emphasizing the importance of nutrition.
"We have always had a day celebrating Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver who continue to serve as educational resources for people in the community," she said. "We are teaching people about nutrition and starting here at home. We look to work with local farmers to provide produce we don't source here on campus."
On Friday, Tuskegee University students were able to enjoy the first weekly installment of food grown on campus being delivered to the cafeteria.
"This is another example of how Tuskegee University and its students are working to solve the world's most complex problems," said Dr. Mark A. Brown, President and CEO. "Our students wanted to take advantage of organic food being grown on campus to create an additional healthy option. This is going to benefit our students immediately and the larger community in the near future. That's the Tuskegee Way!"
Amare' Hardee is a senior Accounting major from Tallahassee, Florida and the university's 66th Student Government Association President. He said watching a student ask a question during a Town Hall turn into an initiative that feeds the community has been a joy of his tenure.
"Once I got into my presidency it was a priority for me," said Hardee. "Dr. Brown talked about Tuskegee entering the Renaissance period because of initiatives like this. It's a testament of Dr. Brown's leadership."
Source: Tuskegee University