Campustown is home to an array of fast food restaurants and convenience stores, which makes finding fruits and vegetables almost impossible, as stores within walking distance are not making fresh produce a priority.

According to CampusBlues.com, “It is much too easy (for students) to garbage up on fast food rather than take the time to eat some of the good, slow food that you need to keep yourself at a level of health that allows you to be a maximized performer.”

Food available to students on campus is limited, making it difficult to meet the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. According to the Consumer Information Center, Americans need to eat a minimum of two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables each day.

The Common Ground Food Co-op, located in the Illinois Disciples Foundation building, 610 E. Springfield Ave., is the one of the few stores on campus that specializes in wholesome fresh produce. The not-for-profit organization offers produce and organic foods year-round.

The Common Ground Food Co-op is open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

“There’s a lot of food around but it’s mainly fast food,” said Robin Kuprewicz, lifetime vegetarian and freshman in LAS. “A lot of my vegetarian friends like the co-op.”

“We are kind of tucked away,” said Molly Stentz, ordering coordinator at the co-op. Stentz said the low visibility makes it hard to attract customers.

The Common Ground Food Co-op started business in 1978 and has a strong following of customers.

Megan Coyle, freshman in LAS and a vegetarian, said she finds it difficult to get fruits and vegetables on campus.

“You get kind of sick of eating the same thing,” she said. “Especially in the dorms.”

The Quad Shop in the Union used to sell fruits like apples and bananas, but discontinued the line.

“They did not sell for us,” said Jim Trail, Quad shop manager. “We would buy in bulk, but end up throwing about half of it out.”

Trail said they are trying to keep a “healthy option of food” with prepackaged foods that have a longer shelf life.

“We just can’t afford the loss in profits,” he said.

The main grocery store on campus is Walgreen’s, which does not sell any fresh produce. Walgreen’s had no comment when asked why they don’t sell any fresh fruits or vegetables.

According to Stentz, the main supermarkets are hesitant to invest in building a larger supermarket on campus because they don’t think it will benefit for their profit margins.

Bigger supermarkets like Schnucks and Meijer have a large produce selection, but their distance from campus makes it difficult for last minute shopping.

Buses run every 30 minutes to these stores, but some students still find it difficult to shop there.

“It’s kind of inconvenient, especially throughout the winter months and because buses don’t run that late,” Kuprewicz said.