The three pillars of sustainability are economic, environmental and social. Living in agriculturally abundant Central New York, as we Colgate students do, provides us with a great way to connect the social and environmental pillars: food. To help you navigate the local food scene around Hamilton and on campus, here are some ways to get food, get involved and get local.  

The Hamilton Farmer’s Market: This joyous meeting of local bounty happens each and every Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Village Green. Once the weather turns cold in November, the Farmer’s Market closes for the season.

Common Thread: This Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) is located a mere five miles from Colgate’s campus on Lake Moraine Road. Farm shares can be bought at the beginning of the season, supplying seasonal produce to local families, professors, Colgate employees and students alike. Members of the CSA, myself included, love going to pick out their share each week from Common Thread’s barn. 

Good Nature Brewery: For those of us who are over 21 (sorry, youngsters) the Good Nature Brewery is the first brewery in Hamilton in 200 years. Little known fact: the town of Hamilton was built on hops farming, so the return of this historic industry is most definitely a great way to get back to our roots.  The Brewery sources local ingredients as much as it can, and also hosts local arts, music and craftspeople at its taproom on Broad Street. 

Lampert Institute: This year, the Lampert Institute for Civic and Global Engagement is focusing on the topic of food. Speakers will explore topics related to the local food movement, the role food plays in cultural and religious tradition, how climate change affects production, and how globalization of the agriculture industry affects us all.  If you enjoy food, chances are that you will also enjoy attending one or two of these lectures. 

Chartwells Dining Services: Perhaps the most “local” in terms of physical proximity, Chartwells Dining Services provides the food served in Frank Dining Hall and the O’Conner Campus Center (COOP). Chartwells has agreed to join Colgate’s efforts to create a more sustainable campus by sourcing food from local communities, decreasing waste, and increasing student wellness.

Like sustainability, food is an important link in the relationship between our environment and our community.  Hit the Farmer’s Market, sit in a lecture, sit in Frank. It’s easy to learn a little more about our community and our food.