The Sustainable Food Initiative (SFI) at EMU predominantly focuses on empowering students to utilize campus space to benefit student lifestyle and consumption. The goal is to have students become more in touch with their food systems, and seek more intentionality in connecting to their food. Aside from EMU's own campus gardens, greenhouses, and composting, students are also plugged into other community sustainable farming/gardening projects around Harrisonburg, VA. The SFI is a collaborative effort of EMU students, faculty/staff, community members, and growers to work towards further sustainability and social responsibility in food systems. Through our campus gardens, and our partnerships away from campus, we seek to expand learning and education for all involved, as well as providing fresh and local produce to students and community in more environmentally-friendly and accessible ways. Our goals go beyond food, though. We are working towards sustainable community - partnerships and coalitions to expand our connections past the borders of campus. How can we work more closely with our neighbors to benefit our community together, as a whole? The SFI is about connecting people through food, and learning how to create change to systems. Not to mention enjoying fresh, locally grown food year-round!
