by Ashleigh Sanchez
Daily Lobo
Locally grown, organic produce is coming to UNM.
"There is support for locally grown food on both ends of campus," said Carol Scott, operations manager for UNM Food Services. "So, starting in the spring semester, we will also offer organic, local choices at the Marketplace in the SUB."
Food Services plans to have organic food in La Posada every Wednesday, said Cathy Fleischacker, director of the department.
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The dining hall served its first locally grown food Wednesday, featuring peach cobbler, roasted green chile and baked potatoes.
"We've gotten feedback on surveys of students that says this is important to them," Fleischacker said. "It is healthy, and it supports small businesses and the local economy."
The dining hall gets the produce from the La Montanita Co-op and local farms, Fleischacker said.
La Posada is used mostly by students who live in the residence halls, but anyone can eat there, she said.
Fleischacker said the organic food is a little more expensive, but the dining hall's prices would not be affected.
Scott said prices at Marketplace wouldn't go up by very much, if any, because many items' prices are comparable to nonorganic food. An increase in demand caused prices to go down, she said.
Student Cody Snell said offering locally grown food in the hall is a good idea.
"You hear about chemicals like MSG in food, and that's not right," he said. "For sure, locally grown food is a good thing."
Student Richard Alano said having local options won't affect the food he eats at the dining hall.
"I probably won't choose it just for that," he said. "But it helps the local economy, and you don't have to worry about transportation or anything."
Student Ashleigh Reyna said she will probably choose the organic dishes when they are available.
"Knowing all this is grown right here in New Mexico will draw me to the station," she said.
Reyna, a member of the Residence Hall Association, said students are overwhelmingly supportive of locally grown food choices.
"Students we've talked to think it's a great idea," she said. "It helps the economy and is great for the state of New Mexico."
