Western Kentucky University stands about 2 blocks from the Kentucky State University West Regional Office. Just over 17,500 students attend classes each day and have class hours during mealtimes. They have on-campus food options such as dining courts, coffee shops, and prepared meal stations. Aramark makes sure that these meals and snacks are easily assembled for students, but they’re not all locally sourced foods. I met with Aramark and WKU to talk about how we can support our small farmers by sourcing local and cleaner foods for students, while boosting our local economy. 

 To locate the right farmers that suit Aramark’s requirements isn’t an easy job. But The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has a close eye on a list of farmers who may be interested in collaborating and expanding their retail business. A representative from Kentucky Proud invited me, a representative from The Food Connection, WKU, and Aramark on a western farmers and producers industry tour. We visited 7 protentional farmers who want to collaborate with larger retail projects, the ones who are ready to expand their farms and businesses. Many connections were made, and business cards were passed around. 

I reconnect with WKU and Aramark in July, and I hope to hear great things! They went and visited 5 more farms with KDA, but I was unable to join. I’m looking forward to hear about their plans and I hope we can continue onto the next steps with this collaboration soon.