CLINTON - Students from Hamilton College got the chance to experience locally grown food through a special event held Tuesday.

For the third straight year, Bon Appetit, the food company servicing Hamilton and other colleges brought the "Eat Local Challenge" to Clinton, showcasing locally grown farm products.

"It's important for that reason to expose students here to local harvest but its also important here to serve the local economy," said Pat Raynard of Bon Appeit at Hamilton College.

During the afternoon students and faculty grabbed plates and tried out the corn, salad, and wraps just to name a few things.

"The food is more delicious than it normally is here because its locally grown," said Brett Morrell, a sophomore at the college.

Organizers say its more than just a chance for students to sample local produce but also a chance for farmers to reach the next generation of customers.

"They are the people who are going to understand what local means more so than folks that are not in that age group," said Zade Kardieh, of Norwich Meadow Farms.

"A lot of students don't eat of campus because the campus is a closed community," Kye Lippold, a sophomore at the college.

Overall, farmers and Bon Appetit officials say the idea of buying and eating local products has and will continue to grow because of events like this.