The Farmers Market is back at the U and ready to serve students fresh, affordable foods and lessons in sustainability and diversity.
The Sustainability Center has been hosting a Farmers Market at the U for eight seasons. From Thai-designed bracelets to a booth for the university’s own edible campus gardens, Sarah Leppé, the new communication and outreach coordinator at the Sustainability Resource Center, said the market provides the opportunity to experience a unique environment.
A new initiative this year is using Double Up Food Bucks and Double Your Dollars. These programs are organized specifically to help those in need purchase healthier foods and also contribute to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
To participate in the Farmers Market, a student can work in the edible gardens on campus and sell at the booths. Gracie Hawkins, from Taggies fruit stand, said students can purchase locally grown northern Utah produce by the basket.
“We promote stands all over the city and try to provide produce at fair amounts,” Hawkins said.
Other stands include Bubble and Brown Bakery, owned by pastry chef Andrew Young.
“Our emphasis is on seasonality and on local produce — down to grains, honey and fruit,” Young said. “We have tried to make a fun way for people to experience using local and fresh foods.”
The stand is home to platters of carrot cake, macaroons and breads made from various in-season ingredients found in Utah. Young said buying from vendors like Bubble and Brown can assist in students creating their own recipes using locally grown ingredients.
In addition to food, the market also showcases and sells art. Jackrit Trikruptan, a seller and artist at the Bluerizon stand, exports all materials from India to bring the essence of his home to the U. Everything from the feathers in his art to the purses on his table utilizes an organic composition. For students, Trikruptan offers discounts.
The Farmer’s Market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. every Thursday until Oct. 8. Each one will have a theme, and next Thursday’s will be “Happy Pets-Healthy People,” where students can de-stress by petting puppies for free. Sept. 10 will be centered around an “Eat Local” theme, where an array of local farms will come together to sell their products. To see more information and themes for the Farmers Market, visit http://attheu.utah.edu/facultystaff/farmers-market/.
@chriswritine