Across the United States, demand is soaring for local and regional foods. Farmers' markets have benefited from this interest in buying and eating locally. The USDA estimates that there are over 4,700 markets across the country. Around the town square or in abandoned shopping center parking lots, farmers' markets are popping up like daffodils in spring. Now, more colleges and universities are making space on campus for farmers.
Of course, the harvest season does not neatly overlap with the semester system. Still, many areas are able to host markets in the fall and late spring when both students and fresh fruits and veggies are plentiful.
Building Community
Markets are becoming centers of community life. Adding musicians to the good, local food, makes the market a social space where community can grow. At markets like the one at the University of Southern California, the farmers' market is a great place to hang out. The USC on the other coast has also started a fun, community-oriented market and shown that Gamecocks love farmers' markets as much as Trojans.
Sustainable Education
Farmers' Markets are also an opportunity for learning. The connection to agriculture is about understanding food systems, sustainability, and health. Student councils, student health services, and dining services have all gotten involved in bringing farmers to campus. Faculty in agriculture, rural sociology, nutrition, and environmental studies have joined to make markets a reality at their universities. The market presents numerous opportunities for service learning for students and created bridges to internships and even summer jobs at local farms. At UC-Davis, a group reading of Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma resulted in a market on the East Quad. Farmers' Markets also give campuses with Ag. Colleges a place to shine. Cal Poly Pomona has a Farm Store where they sell meat, eggs, and produce from the College of Agriculture--it doesn't get more local than that.
Healthy Choices
The availability of fresh fruits, veggies, and other foods is also an improvement to many pizza-heavy student diets. Even though access to full kitchens is limited in most dorm settings, students can still find healthy choices at the markets that don't require cooking. Trail mixes, dips, and "snackable" fresh produce are big sellers at campus markets. According to surveys at UC-Davis, most students eat two or fewer servings of fruit and veggies a day. Now students can put down the Papa John's for something from Farmer John.
Some Schools with Farmers' Markets:
- Brown University
- Rice University
- The University of Arizona
- Kapiolani Community College
- Harvard University
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