Chloe B. González/Assistant Entertainment Director
As part of the University’s ongoing sustainability efforts, FIU’s Organic Farmers Market has been providing students with vegan, vegetarian, organic and locally sourced foods, as well as organic and handmade products since 2008.
“To me it’s a very nice option for students because every Wednesday they have different options to eat, to see art in a different way so it’s a nice thing for students,” said Sandra Pereira, owner of Encantos Terrariums.
On Wednesdays during the spring and fall semesters, vendors set up their tables with a variety of products including orchids and terrariums, kettle corn, baked goods, local art and hand-painted products.
“I like that there’s a lot of variety and I check it out every Wednesday. I feel like the samosa triangles are the best thing, and the popcorn is really good and the mango. Those are the main things I come for,” said junior event management major, Bobbii Sade, who attends the market every week.
Organic produce is also sold at the market from local farms and by the Garden Club from the University’s organic garden which grows herbs and fruits in the FIU Nature Preserve.
The Garden Club is only one example of the many groups that participate in the market such as Students for Environmental Action, the Office of University Sustainability, University Health Services, the Yoga Club, Student Dietetics and Nutrition and Aramark, among others.
The market formed from a collaboration between these student organizations, outside vendors and university departments to promote an environmentally friendly lifestyle and local, organic products and produce.
“I like that it’s a chance for people to buy something that’s a little better off for them,” said sophomore english major, Jadelyn Puig.
In addition to encouraging healthy eating by supplying local produce, Puig explained that the weekly market also serves as an opportunity to support local businesses.
“They’ve got a lot of handmade, homemade goods and as someone who sells my own handmade goods, I like to support other people making it…it’s a chance for people to make money doing something they like,” said Puig.
With the help of former student and nutritionist, Raisa Cavalcante, the Florida-based online retailer Pure Formulas has been selling their organic and natural beauty supplies, vitamins and supplements, pet products and snacks at the market for some time.
“I think we’ve had the opportunity to educate people on some of the essential oil products that we have…it’s been great to give some information and educational sort of feedback to them,” said Giovannah Chiu, Director of E-Commerce at Pure Formulas.
Students can buy goods and pick up fresh snacks and produce when they visit the market on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Green Library breezeway.
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