Starting April 7th, WashU will launch a partnership with HOSCO as its new Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) provider.
HOSCO (Holistic Organic Sustainable Cooperatives), is a sustainable not-for-profit business incubator model for food production, entrepreneurship and apprenticeship training. Their mission is to significantly increase access of local foods while creating jobs and economic development by revitalizing blighted and asset-poor neighborhoods in St. Louis. HOSCO is committed to food justice, empowering others to grow the local food economy and make food in St. Louis more available and affordable. They have distributed over 1 million meals and 2.1 million pounds of produce to residents of St. Louis City and County. HOSCO has created partnerships with many local organizations, including BJC, YMCA, the St. Louis Science Center, and St. Louis Public Schools.
CSA programs provide a convenient and affordable way for community members to access fresh, healthy and seasonal food while supporting and connecting with local farmers. HOSCO CSA members will receive weekly or bi-weekly boxes filled with a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as pre-made meals created with ingredients sourced directly from local farms and crafted at the North Sarah Food Hub, HOSCO’s commissary kitchen. Depending on which option members choose, HOSCO CSA boxes will vary in price from $20 – $50 per box.
WashU is pleased to partner with an organization that is creating meaningful change within the food system in St. Louis. If you are interested in signing up for HOSCO’s CSA service or learning more, please fill out this form to start the process (no obligation). Washington University strives to bring fresh and local food to our campuses in a variety of ways. That includes our Green Dining Alliance-certified dining locations, the weekly WUSM Farmers Market, and the year-round CSA program. Over the past 5 years, WashU partnered with Local Farmer CSA to provide the CSA service. Local Farmer CSA (“Mushroom Dave”) will continue to have farm products available via the weekly WUSM Farmers Market.
The WashU CSA program is an initiative coordinate by the Office of Sustainability and Human Resources’ Wellness Connection.
Please direct any questions to WUSM Sustainability Coordinator, Heather Craig, at hcraig@wustl.edu.