It has been announced by Cornell University that they will be closing the Cornell Orchard Store permanently January 31st. Cornell University Orchard has been a staple of the University since 1952. The store provides many opportunities for the local community to purchase fresh fruit, fresh local baked goods, and flowers from local farmers. It also provides tours to local school children to teach them about where their fruits and vegetables come from. The Cornell Orchard Store has also historically been a host for many important local events to Ithaca, including the NYCA Flx Cider Week and the United Way of Tompkins County's Apple Bake Off. Cornell University has decided to close the orchard store because it is losing money. The economic cost of the orchard store can not be quantified against the benefits it brings to the community, operating on a modified seasonal schedule could potentially benefit the financial viability of the store. The University should take on this responsibility as a land grant University, one possibility would be to subsidize the Cornell Orchard store instead of looking at it as an opportunity for profit.