Campus Farmers Market Wraps a Successful First Year

As the campus farmers market comes to a close for the season, Campus Grow, the RSO behind the market, looks back on its first season bringing fresh local foods to students on campus.

Campus Grow has flourished as a registered student organization since 2008.

The goal for having an on campus farmers market, according to their President Claire Guthrie is, “To connect the campus and community with opportunities to learn about and experience (hands-on) farming, gardening, sustainability, why sustainability in life is important, the importance of buying and eating local, healthy, environmentally friendly products and lifestyles.”

The on-campus farmers market began this year off of Broomfield Rd. next to His House. With lots of local vendors, there were plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, snacks and homemade items for students to splurge on.

Guthrie said the RSO had been working on planning a campus farmers market for a little over a year, and the official start date was Oct. 6. The market was run in conjunction with the non-profit, Real Food Grows.

“This was our first year so we didn’t expect too much, but things went wonderfully and we hope to only continue the success for all involved in the future,” Guthrie said

Mount Pleasant is home to another farmers market hosted in Island Park that runs through summer and fall months. However, Guthrie said not many college kids can travel across town, and the market closes not too far into the school year so bringing another one to campus was beneficial to students without means of transportation.

Health and wellness were also big factors when thinking about the campus market.

“Especially those living on campus, to access fresh, local, healthy food has been low,” Guthrie said. “We know that it’s important for students to be able to make healthy choices.”

Some of the local vendors that came out were Love That Soap, Papas Pumpkin Patch stand and Spanky’s Kettle Corn.

Papas Pumpkin Patch owner Bill Miller, who came out to the farmers market, said, “It was a great event, lots of students and others from the community. We can’t wait until next year.”

Guthrie said although the market is done for the season, Campus Grow is continuing to improve and make next year’s market even better and will continue to provide fresh foods for students and the community.