Food Systems

Food plays a major role in the Knox community and Knox is committed to a healthy, sustainable food system at every point from farm to fork and back to field.

The Knox Farm

Also referred to as the "high tunnels", these structures are used to extend the growing season. The Knox Farm comprises two high tunnels as well as two outdoor spaces just west and south of the tunnels. Knox Farm is an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in growing produce. The Farm produces food for on-campus use and for sharing with the community. For details and how to get involved, please visit the Knox Farm page.

Food Share Pantry

The Knox College Food Share Pantry provides temporary supplemental food assistance for the Knox community at no cost to the user. This service is in an effort to help alleviate hunger and aims to reduce the impact of food insecurity on academic and personal success. The pantry is not intended to fulfill all of your food needs, but to provide temporary food relief.

The pantry is located in Seymour Union. Follow the staircase outside the Hard Knox Cafe and enter the lobby doors off the lower landing. The pantry is located next to the Office Supply Share room. 

For health and safety reasons, the pantry must have restricted access and be lockable. You can check out a key to access the pantry in the following locations:

• From the Campus Life Office: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm

• From the Taylor Lounge: Daily 5:00pm-midnight (during times of year when Taylor Lounge is open)

• From Campus Safety: 24 hours/day every day 

Knox has partnered with River Bend Foodbank, located in Davenport IA, to access affordable staple foods for the Food Share Pantry. This partnership provides access to their warehouse of food donations. We can place an order, based on what is available, and it is delivered once a month - the 3rd Wednesday of the month. 

The food pantry also serves as an opportunity for each of us, to the extent that we are capable, to contribute to the well-being of the campus community. If you would like to donate to the pantry, you can drop items off at the Sustainability Cottage in the quads or at Student Development in Old Main.

Dining Services

Sustainability initiatives in dining services extend to Knox's residential, grab-n-go, and retail dining venues. From locally sourced produce and humanely raised meat to trayless dining, each level of the food system is examined to minimize waste.

Opportunities to get involved include:

• Kitchen staff work with the campus-chapter of the Food Recovery Network to locally donate excess food.
• Students receive a reusable clamshell for cafeteria carry out, which can be exchanged for a clean container at each meal.
• Reusable mugs provide a discount on beverages at the Gizmo or grab-n-go locations. 

Compost

Composting is the process of allowing organic waste, such as leaves and food scraps, to break down and decompose. To close the loop of the Knox food system, food waste is collected for composting a few different ways on campus, allowing Knox to keep organic waste out of the landfill.

• TUMBLERS - There are a handful of compost tumblers available for use by students. These bins are considered "backyard composters" and can only break down food scraps such as fruit and vegetable peels.
• GIZMO - One of the three waste bins located in the Gizmo is labeled as "Compost". All food and the majority of the dishes can be composted, but please review the signs carefully when throwing out your waste. Food waste is collected by a commercial compost facility located in Peoria. 
• HARD KNOX CAFE - Composting is easy in the Caf because all food waste can be composted! When you put your plate on the belt, the reusable items are cleaned to be used again, while the food and napkins travel through a pulper. All this organic waste is collected and processed with the food waste from the Gizmo.
• SPECIAL EVENTS - The Office of Sustainability can provide clearly labeled waste stations that allow for the collection and composting of single-use dishware. The Catering division of Knox Dining Services is already aligned on these principles, and will be able to facilitate a low­ waste event. Contact the Office of Sustainability to request a waste station for your next special event.

Galesburg Community Resources

• Galesburg Farmers Market is open every Saturday from April through October. 
• Knox Prairie Community Kitchen (KPCK) is a volunteer organization with the mission is to serve nutritious food to their neighbors, with dignity and respect.