CSU Students Grow 20,000 Pounds of Food for Campus Pantries

When James Larson asked his roommate where all those fresh vegetables were coming from, he had no idea the answer would change his life and feed thousands of people.

Larson's roommate was one of the founders of Growing Food Security, a student-run project at Colorado State University that's become a lifeline for hungry students and staff. Five years later, Larson now helps lead the program himself.

The numbers tell a powerful story. About one in three college students nationwide experiences food insecurity. At CSU, more than 200 student volunteers are fighting back by growing over 60 different crops on university research land just outside Fort Collins.

The operation has grown tenfold since its humble beginnings during the COVID-19 pandemic. What started as four rows of crops tended by a handful of graduate students now spans multiple acres, produces 20,000 pounds of food annually, and involves roughly 1,500 volunteer hours each summer.

The speed from farm to table is remarkable. On a September morning, volunteers harvested nearly 2,000 pounds of tomatoes, peppers, okra, beans, eggplant, and squash. Within 24 hours, that produce reached students' hands at the campus plaza.

There's no price tag attached. Every vegetable grown goes directly to Rams Against Hunger, CSU's food security program, which distributes it through campus food pantries to students, faculty, and staff who need it.

The Ripple Effect

The program's impact reaches beyond full bellies. Student volunteers gain hands-on agricultural experience while serving their community. Local businesses like Nutrien and A1 Organics provide support, and nearby nurseries offer discounted seedlings.

Michael Buttram, director of CSU's Office for Basic Needs, emphasizes what makes this special. Food pantries often struggle to provide fresh, locally grown produce at peak freshness. Growing Food Security solves that problem with vegetables that rival any farmers market, minus the cost barrier.

The project embodies CSU's identity as a land-grant institution using university resources for community benefit. Eight student leaders now provide continuity to the program, ensuring it thrives year after year.

Volunteers will continue harvesting through October, turning dirt and dedication into dignity for thousands who struggle to afford nutritious food.