Fresh tomatoes, ripe zucchini and organic eggs are just a few of the items that can be found in the bags produced by local farms for Crops to Campus, a new Kansas University program that starts in May.

Crops to Campus is a collaboration with Common Harvest CSA, a group of four local and certified organic farms, to connect people with farmers and provide them weekly with fresh produce. The program is 24 weeks, starting the week of May 18 and running through October.

“The idea is to provide easy access for faculty, staff and students to healthy food,” said Kim Criner, the education and outreach coordinator for the university’s Center for Sustainability. “They have the advantage of taking part in a CSA in a convenient way.”

The full share includes seven to eight items per week and costs $432 in full or $72 to $90 per month. The partial share includes four to five items per week and costs $312 in full or $52 to $65 per month. The program also offers a back-to-school share for 10 weeks from Labor Day to mid-November, which is $180 for the full share and $130 for the partial share.

Members will be able to pick up their share at either the north side of Memorial Stadium, near Farmbrough Way, on Tuesdays or in the parking lot of the student recreation center from 4 to 6 p.m. Fridays.

The program is beneficial for farmers and members, explained Jen Humphrey, who co-operates the Red Tractor Farm. Not only do people get fresh and healthy food, but area farmers get support, too, Humphrey said.

“A benefit is that you’re economically supporting local businesses, you’re keeping your dollars in the community, and you’re making farming a viable option,” Humphrey said.

Another benefit of signing up is that people get to know their farmers and can hear stories or get recipes from them, said Jill Elmers, owner of Moon on the Meadow farm.

“There’s a direct interaction with the farmers, and we get a direct connection to the consumers,” Elmers said. “That’s what we like. It’s really rewarding.”

The program had 155 people signed up as of early April. Elmers said the program’s ultimate goal is to max out sign-ups and get more farmers involved.

“We’re all trying to accomplish the same thing — getting people to buy from local farmers instead of the grocery store,” Elmers said.

Currently, the program can serve up to 250 people. Criner said that if the program gets popular enough KU is willing to expand the program to accommodate more buyers.

“We could look into adding more (pick-up) sites, and we are open to more farms,” Criner said. “It’s all based on what the campus and community want. We’ll grow what they demand.”

Sign up ends April 15.