Superman's Cousin ([info]bird_gerhl) wrote in [info]obie_questions,
@ 2007-09-07 20:01:00
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Hi Oberlin. 2012 prospie here. I just have a few questions about food. What is the vegan co-op food like? At your best guess, what percentage of it is organic? Locally grown? and last but definitely not least, is there a student-run garden? Thanks for your time ^_^

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[info]springheel_jane
2007-09-08 12:58 am UTC (link)
Wow! Let me just say: you're going to love it at Oberlin. The short answer to all your questions is: come here!!!!

The vegan co-op, Fairchild, I have heard has awesome food and is so very very awesome. The next best choice for vegans is Harkness, the vegetarian co-op with vegan options at every meal. As one first year said to me tonight: "In the regular dining halls, its like a big selection of bad food. Here, it's like a small selection of really good food." In terms of what the food is like, in a given week you might see (depending on the season): white rice, brown rice, beans (of any sort), chick peas, bread, seitan, tofu, quinoa, eggplant, kale, tomatoes, spinach, salad greens, carrots, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers. In the winter theres a lot of tuber veggies like turnips, sweet potatoes, and beets because its a local staple. The stereotypical co-op food is dubbed "co-op slop" which is basically a big mix of the above ingredients with spices or a sauce. Some people get sick of it, but I never have and probably never will. Lots of cooks, however, try to escape that stereotypical food. Every friday is "pizza night" in every co-op, and I must say the vegan pizza at Fairchild is pretty amazing, same for Harkness.

One of the things these co-ops vote on is the hierarchy of foods bought. In the past, in my experience, the hierarchy goes somewhat like this: local and organic, local but not organic, organic but not local, and so on. Fairchild is a lot more strict about this than Harkness, to the point where they refuse to buy bananas most semesters among other things. Last semester in Harkness we voted to only buy shade-grown coffee and fair trade chocolate (I believe). Basically, we can afford to buy organic in the huge numbers that we do and often have a pretty sizable refund check when all is said and done. One of my favorite things about being in a co-op is doing KP (kitchen prep), slicing up veggies for the meal, and peeling off a bunch of little "organic" stickers. :) It makes me so proud to be a part of OSCA.

What's also awesome is OSCA (the co-op association, the collective of all student co-ops on campus) takes part in a garden at the local George Jones Farm, which has been slowly expanding every year. So a ton of the food at the beginning of fall semester is from our own farm just outside town, run by members of OSCA over the summer and into this semester.

Basically, I am a huge supporter of co-ops, and I know more about Harkness than Fairchild, but trust me. Just the questions you've asked convince me you should definitely come here. Co-ops are awesome, so don't be afraid to jump right in one in your first year! You won't regret it. Good luck with your admissions!

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[info]ahhrrr
2007-09-08 01:48 am UTC (link)
Just want to point out that almost every co-op has vegan/vegetarian options at every meal, and that the policy at each co-op is decided by the membership every semester.

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[info]bird_gerhl
2007-09-08 11:55 pm UTC (link)
Wow! Thank you for your lengthy and detailed response. And what you say is exactly what I had hoped to hear. I live on an organic farm/commune, and co-operative association is what attracts me specifically to Oberlin; hearing that you all take food issues to heart makes me feel like I could live there.

I have a few more questions about the farm, if you feel like you know the answers. Exactly how cold do Oberlin winters get? What kind of set up does George Jones Farm have for colder weather? Cold frames? A heated greenhouse? Do they sell what they grow during the off season? Is there a farmers market? Where do you get the winter tubers and such? That's all

Thanks again, and yeah... hmm. I should really start filling out my ED application....

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[info]springheel_jane
2007-09-09 12:05 am UTC (link)
I don't know too much about the farm, sorry! I hope somone else can answer your questions.

What I think I can tell you...
Oberlin winters, hard to say. I am from around here so to me it's just "cold." I'm sure you could look up average temperatures in this area? Also, I believe there is a farmer's market in the next town. It is my understanding that we get our winter tubers from local farmers.

I think you will like it here, considering your background, if you jump right in to co-op life. Good luck with ED!

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(Anonymous)
2007-10-06 03:16 am UTC (link)
jones farm has some cold frames and a greenhouse (i'm not sure if they have a heater, but they might), but it gets very cold in ohio in the winter, and growing mostly stops. during two of my years at oberlin, it snowed every day or every other day in january. from november to march it is WINTER like whoa. jones is not exactly prepared for it. there is a small farmer's market that happens during the spring and summer right in town, and amish families year round make the rounds in oberlin selling jams and pies (the best pies on earth).

in osca, food buyers (who are elected every semester by each co-op) have the option to buy many foods locally. each week they receive a list from the all-osca food buyer of what is available locally and if they are certified organic. in the early fall, this list is HUGE! and we get yummies like tomatoes and peppers and most things locally. as it rolls into winter, the list grows shorter and shorter and shorter, until you can get potatoes and maybe kale and dried chamomile until the spring.

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