A 2020 study by the Governmental Accountability Office states that almost one out of four college students are food insecure.
The Sustainable Urban program at DMACC does its best to lower that number, having a public fridge that is constantly filled with fresh vegetables grown right there on campus. April Clark has been making this program run for the last four years. She has been taking care of the gardens on campus and has hosted many events. Earlier in the year, she made some delicious pancakes out of foraged vegetables.
Outside of Building 1, you will see all types of growing plants and even a box full of bees where they harvest honey. This year they were able to grow 1,580 pounds of food that was donated to the campus fridge! If you walk inside Building 1 near the library, you will see a fridge filled with vegetables and even meals that are free to take. This has helped plenty of students who are food insecure. Clark said, “DMACC and MercyOne Hospital have collaborated on food waste and making meals for these students. Since July of this year, DMACC has managed to keep 4,300 pounds of food from going to the landfill and instead be available to our students on campus.”
Furthering your education can be stressful by itself. Add on factors like being older, financially independent, disabled, or a single parent and the likelihood of being food insecure increases. At DMACC, we have a high percentage of people who fit these categories. Clark said, “I don’t think people realize that, and who wants to learn when you’re stressed out about other things… I think food is a basic right.”
A few students have explained how they have dealt with financial struggles and using the campus fridge has really helped a lot. Another student, Danielle Forkner, tells of her use of the garden and fridge. “I like to use the fresh vegetables and fruits in the garden to either snack on or take home and cook. Walking through and grabbing strawberries is fun. I recently fractured my foot and with some of the food already being picked and set in the fridge, it made it so much easier for me to grab. I love how accessible it is for people, it’s so easy for everyone to enjoy,” said Forkner.
In addition to Sustainable Urban’s efforts, Melanie Sadeghpour, professor in environmental studies, explains how outdoor learning can help students feel more comfortable which helps students retain more information. She said, “Place-based learning has been shown to foster a sense of belonging, increase student learning, improve student academic persistence, and narrow equity gaps.” An estimated eight biology classes, three environmental science classes, and the STEM club utilize outdoor learning environments (OLEs) frequently throughout all semesters.
Sadeghpour also suggests that involvement in the program builds characteristics for great careers. “Students who spend time learning in the Urban Campus OLEs emerge with hirable skill sets. After spending time working on our campus prairies or in the Urban Food Forest, we’ve had students hired to work at a local permaculture firm and a local native landscaping business. They are able to hit the job running and excel against the competition,” said Sadeghpour.
Recently, there have been discussions about the necessity of and the resources dedicated to the upkeep of these OLEs.
In response to faculty and staff concerns, Vice President of Operations, Bill LaTour issued a general statement to the press. “The Food Forest at the DMACC Urban Campus was initiated prior to the pandemic when DMACC was awarded a grant. That grant was discontinued earlier this year. With funding to support the Food Forest no longer available, no clear academic use for the space, and our concerns about overgrowth and our ability to manage the space, DMACC leadership made the decision to discontinue the project. There is no current timetable for the removal of the Food Forest; DMACC Grounds staff will take on that project as time allows. DMACC wants to be clear that this will not affect the future of the Food Pantry at the Urban Campus. The Food Pantry will continue to serve students, and plans are underway for its expansion. The recent addition of the community fridge will also remain.”
For now, these spaces are still available, and you can find signs on campus about which native plants are growing. If you need some food to tide you over between classes and studying for finals, please feel free to grab something out of the campus fridge.
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