Campus Connection

UW-L students got a taste of the Coulee Region last week — literally. During the week of Sept. 21-25, Chartwells, the campus food service, is serving up locally grown produce as part of a promotion called “It Takes You – Eat Local.” The program was developed to support local farmers who grow produce in a 150 miles radius of the café on campus. “We’ll try to do this several times this year and do a feature on the farms that supply the produce as well,” says Tom Dockham, resident district manager of Chartwells. “Most of what we purchased for the promotion involved farmers from Wisconsin and Minnesota. We even have some organic grape tomatoes from Hillview Green House Life Center just a few blocks from campus.” Larry Ringgenberg, director of University Centers, expects the week to be popular. “The University Centers staff is very excited about featuring local products,” he says. “We expect it to be well received by students and staff alike.” See also, "Adding local flavor: UW-L serves students regional produce in support of area farmers," La Crosse Tribune, Sept. 24, at www.lacrossetribune.com/news/local/article_c6cf368e-a8c6-11de-8d8b-001cc4c002e0.html.