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Bon Appetit to host 'Eat Local Challenge' Tuesday

By Mara Fink '11
September 24, 2008

Bon Appetit will continue its efforts to encourage students to eat locally by hosting its fourth annual "Eat Local Challenge" lunch at St. Olaf Tuesday, Sept. 30. The meal (as are all meals in Stav Hall Cafeteria) is open to the public at a cost of $8.50. The Kings' Dining Room also will be featuring "Eat Local" menu items (call 507-786-3050 for reservations). One of the menus in Stav Hall will feature all local food (with the exception of salt) that has come from within 150 miles of campus.

Because Bon Appetit buys the food locally, they greatly reduce the cost to the environment. According to the Worldwatch Institute, food in the United States usually travels 1,500-2,500 miles from the farm to the table. So by reducing the distance of travel, Bon Appetit reduces air pollution and limits its contribution to global warming. Also, by buying locally, Bon Appetit supports local farmers who make sustainability a priority.

Eating locally also supports the local family farms in the area, which has become of greater importance as family farms decrease across the country. And fresh food that's eaten close to its source is fresher and tastes better than food that's been transported over long distances.

The Bon Appetit operation at St. Olaf is regularly cited by Princeton Review's college guide as having some of the best campus food in the nation.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.