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Nourish International’s Sprout venture offers produce for $10 each week

This spring, students, faculty and staff looking for fresh produce will have a new on-campus alternative to the farmers’ market.

Sprout, a new student-run business venture created by Nourish International, opened for business this week, delivering local produce to campus for participants once a week for a six-week season.

All of Sprout’s produce will come from Coon Rock Farm, a family farm 15 miles away from campus.

Senior Ovik Banerjee, a student who said he plans on signing up for Sprout, said he thinks it will be able to satisfy the increasing demand for fresh local produce.

“There is a growing interest on campus, but it’s hard to get out to the farmers’ market,” he said. “I definitely think they’re filling a niche that needs to be filled.”

Sprout will sell single bundles for $60, which covers six weeks of food delivery, or suite bundles for $168.

Every Tuesday from March 13 to April 17, students and faculty who participate will pick up their weekly supply of produce outside the Campus Y.

Hetali Lodaya, co-chairwoman of the ventures committee of Nourish International, said she is surprised no one at UNC has tried this before, since many students don’t have the time or means to shop at a grocery store.

Sprout will buy the produce at a bulk price 40 percent discount and sell it at grocery store price, earning a $24 profit on single bundles and a $60 profit on larger bundles, said co-chairwoman of the ventures committee Ananda Day.

“If you’re going to buy something, why not do it with a purpose?” Day said. “If you’re going to make a profit, why not make the profit go to something that makes the world a little bit better?”

Richard Holcomb, the owner of Coon Rock Farm and a UNC alumnus, said his family grows 10 acres of sustainably raised vegetables. He said the partnership with Sprout could help expand his business through networking with people on campus.

Junior Jason Dunn, co-chairman of HOPE Gardens, said that while he is excited about the convenience of having produce delivered to campus, he is not yet sure if it is worth the cost.

“A possible concern would be the price,” he said. “I’m not sure how much two and a half pounds of leafy greens will make me in terms of meals.”

Students can sign up for Sprout until March 2 through a Sprout representative or online. As of Sunday, 32 undergraduates, two graduate students, three faculty and one staff member had signed up, including Student Body President Mary Cooper.

Lodaya said the group’s goal is to have 40 students and 20 faculty participate in the pilot season.

Day said if it is successful, the group will look to expand to other farms and possibly offer fruit.

Contact the University Editor at university@dailytarheel.com.

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