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.