University of Kentucky farmers’ market works to produce sustainable produce to students
Originally published by WEKU.
Earlier this month, University of Kentucky students received accessible produce from an on campus farmers’ market.
The Wildcat Market ran for the third year earlier this fall. It was organized by UK’s Student Activities Board and Horticulture Research Farm.
Cayla Barreiro, a senior and the board’s Director for Campus Engagement, says it focuses on handing out sustainable produce.
“We have things that are kind of fun, like salad mixes, popcorn, flowers, and then we have more traditional produce, like kale, lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, spices,” Barreiro said.
Students picked out a tote bag’s worth of groceries to bring back home to their apartments or dorm rooms.
“It’s totally free. There’s a $12 limit, but I think the most expensive item is $4, so that goes a pretty long way,” Barreiro said.
Much of the event’s organizing came from the students themselves. It’s part of the research farm’s Community Supported Agriculture program. It’s managed by Kristi Durbin, a member of UK’s Department of Horticulture.
“I’m starting to plan this in January, when we’re planning for our entire season,” Durbin said. “We’re talking to the students about what was good, where we could improve, what kinds of crops they want to see, trying to tailor that crop mix for this event.”
Students involved with the farm helped with the process, growing, harvesting and handing out produce themselves.
“They’re learning what it takes to grow the food and also how to harvest it and market it out to customers,” Durbin said. “So this is kind of getting their feet wet at the start of the semester.”
That includes students like Hallie Mitchell, who takes classes on the farm as part of an apprenticeship.
“Along with the dirty work of planting and doing all that kind of stuff in the field, we also learn about how important this kind of stuff is to our community, especially to students,” Mitchell said. “So I think it’s really awesome that we can do this for kids on campus.”
Caity Weaver is the UK Student Government Associations’ Director of Sustainability. She says the event is a big part of accomplishing that role.
“Produce is getting increasingly more expensive around here and it’s also getting more and more difficult due to climate change, and changing temperatures and weather patterns to create more produce,” Weaver said.
Organizers say student turnout was the largest its been in the market’s three years of operation. UK student Charlotte Lawson says it’s a way for her and her roommates to save money.
“I have the money for food, but it’s so hard to go to the grocery store,” Lawson said. “A single bell pepper, red bell pepper is like $1.30 now. It’s just nice because I can get this and I get it for free with my tuition.”
It’s also a big timesaver for students dealing with the busy schedule of college classes.
“I have to eat vegetables or else I’m gonna physically feel ill all of the time,” Lawson said. “It is hard to try to make healthy meals and still do homework, because it takes forever to make a healthy meal.”
Other students, like Arsonlove Abney, say it’s a way to not worry about getting to the grocery store from campus.
“I don’t have a car. I don’t bring my car with me on campus. So any time that I do go to a store, I’m either depending on a friend or I’m walking to the closest one. So this is nice,” Abney said.
Organizers say they plan on continuing the yearly farmers’ market for the foreseeable future.
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Originally published by WEKU.
Republished with permission.
