I have a few philosophies when it comes to the education we provide at Fort Lewis College, such as “a private college education at a public college cost” and “active minds in active bodies.” I might amend that latter statement to say “healthy minds in healthy bodies” as health is one of the drivers behind the Real Food movement at FLC.
The idea of Real Food, meaning food that upholds social welfare, environmental sustainability, and physical health, has been a cause that our students have worked on for years. I was pleased to have helped support the partnership between the FLC Environmental Center and our campus dining provider, Sodexo, in the Real Food Challenge a few years ago. The Challenge came with the goal of devoting at least 20 percent of Sodexo’s campus dining purchases to foods that uphold social welfare, environmental sustainability, and physical health.
We also have our sustainable agriculture work that is taking place at the Old Fort at Hesperus. I hope that you have had the chance to stop by the Old Fort Farm Stand on campus and see their fresh produce and meat offerings. We talk about the hands-on learning opportunities available at FLC, and it’s hard to get more hands-on than working the soil to grow your food.
Real, responsible, and sustainable agriculture is a growing movement across the country, and I’m pleased that Fort Lewis College has become active in providing students the training they need to become leaders in that movement. I’m excited to see what the future holds in this area, and I’m also excited to see what’s for lunch tomorrow in San Juan Dining.
Sincerely,
Dene Thomas
President, Fort Lewis College