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Giving
7 Harvest Season Highlights
Learn more about Star Route Farms, the USF Food Pantry, and how they work together.
The University of San Francisco acquired Star Route Farms, with active agricultural properties in both Marin and Riverside counties, in August of 2017. The continuation of the farm properties’ operations, subsequent academic programming, and the availability of organic food resources for USF students is made possible, in part, by anonymous grants, individual donations, and the generosity of the USF community. Since 2017, faculty and students have expanded and refined experiential learning opportunities — especially after a reset during the pandemic.
1. Star Route Farms Isn’t Just a Farm
The Marin location comprises 40 acres of organically farmed land and 60 acres of mixed-woodland habitat, including riparian forestland and a year-round stream. The environs create incredible immersive learning and exploration experiences for classes, student groups, and external organizations.
2. Philanthropic Contributions Helped USF Acquire the Farms
Millions of dollars in donations from individuals and private donors made USF’s purchase of the farms possible. It was part of USF’s successful $312 million Changing the World From Here campaign.
3. Star Route is the Biggest Contributor of Fresh Produce to USF Food Pantry
“120-130 students are served per pantry,” said Hannah Ogden, USF Food Pantry coordinator and program assistant, Office of Community Living. “Students feel the most joy in being able to try new produce and have access to really quality produce. As a college student, especially experiencing food insecurity, that’s a game changer. A lot of the joy and student retention comes from Star Route — it’s top of the list in terms of what brings people back to the pantry.”
“It is difficult to imagine the USF Food Pantry without Star Route Farms,” said USF Food Pantry faculty advisor and environmental studies professor, David Silver. “Through faculty grants, I am able to purchase multiple Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes of fresh Star Route Farms produce and distribute it for free at our food pantry. Star Route Farms also donates additional produce!”
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4. Produce from the Farm Helps Build Community Back on Campus
“While the produce is essential to our efforts to reduce food insecurity among USF students, it is also something that brings us together as a university,” said Silver. “Through a steady crew of student volunteers, we organize the produce into baskets for the food pantry. Sometimes the line of students waiting to receive produce slows down because we — students, student-volunteers, and food pantry staff — are deep in conversation about the utter beauty of Star Route produce and how best to prepare this or that veggie..”
It is difficult to imagine the USF Food Pantry without Star Route Farms.”
5. Over a Dozen USF Courses Have In-Person Classes on the Farm in Marin
From the study of bees and pollination biology, to event and culinary courses, architecture, engineering, biology, health and disease prevention, or different areas of ecology — there’s truly something for every type of student going on at the farm.
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6. The Farm is Being Utilized More Than Ever
The Marin location saw a 50 percent increase in visitors between 2022-24, compared to previous years. April Randle, faculty director of Star Route Farms, says that strategic decisions made during a ‘pause’ in 2020, plus increased diversity and growth in academic programming, have resulted in the positive trend.
7. Extra Pantry Day and Free Meals for USF Students in November
The USF Food Pantry has added an additional pantry distribution day this November. In addition to the pantry, free Thanksgiving Meals are available to all USF students. Sign up here to receive a meal.
If you are looking for additional food resources in the Bay Area, please check out the Food Pantry Locator.
Learn more about how you can donate to the USF Food Pantry and help mitigate food insecurity among USF students in need.
