American University of Sharjah
IN-26: Innovation C

Food security, reducing the carbon foot print from food and eating local is an issues that AUS Sustainability has been addressing on campus over the last few years. We have built upon our partnerships with local CSAs and we have grown our farmers market program, which runs weekly when school is in session. We work with a variety of types of farm. Emirates Bio Farm is an organic farm in Abu Dhabi, Veggitech is a hydroponic farm in Ajman, Merlin in Dubai and Healthy Farm Eatery, a restaurant and hydroponic farm in Sharjah. The partnerships go beyond the Farmers Market. We have hosted representatives from these farms as guest speakers in classes, a chef was a guest in a program run by the gastronomy club. They spoke about eating local and vegan food. The hydroponic farmers have spoken to classes about the technology involved in growing food hydroponically. AUS has also had a Community Farm since 2016. This farm is run by student volunteers. They plant, water, care for and harvest crops. During this process they learn about farming techniques in the UAE and learn about local crops. They also sell the produce during our weekly farmers market so that other students and community members can learn about local food production. Through these partnerships and programs we are encouraging our to students see the connections between food and the environment and get them excited about possibilities for becoming involved in food production innovation, especially as it relates to our region.