by Eva Sanchez

May 1 marked the return of the College Park Farmers Market. 

The farmer’s market was open last summer but had restrictions due to COVID-19. Vendors selling an assortment of goods were lined up in the parking lot of Herbert Wells Ice Rink off of Campus Drive. The market will be open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the rest of the summer. 

The University of Maryland’s farmers market, which is normally held seasonally in Tawes Plaza, hasn’t been conducted in person since fall 2019 because of COVID-19. This spring and summer, the farmers market will be conducted virtually, giving anyone the opportunity to order from their choice of the 18 vendors online. The market features unique and locally made items from handmade jewelry to baked goods. 

The UMD farmers market is a student favorite. Here are some UMD student reflections on what they love about both the College Park and UMD farmers markets: 

“I like how it’s easily accessible and affordable. I also like knowing that I’m supporting local farmers and small, local businesses! I’m looking forward to the produce and coffee stands when the market returns,” junior environmental engineering major and sustainability minor Jillian Siegel said in an Instagram message. 

“I really enjoyed the variety and quality products available. Last year I would usually get great loose leaf tea and coffee beans every couple of weeks. Even on weeks I didn’t really need to buy anything, it was nice to walk through in between classes to get a coffee and some fresh banana bread. They also had a lot of different local produce and meats but I didn’t get to try them since I was living in a dorm at the time,” Carlos Funez, a sophomore government and politics and economics double major said in an Instagram message. 

“When there are farmer’s markets I love to go and walk around and see who the local farmers and small business owners are because they are so passionate about what they do. Specifically in regards to produce. It’s nice to buy produce that came directly from the farmers and then the money goes directly to them. It’s hard to buy food you can feel good about when you live in a food desert, which college park has been for a long time. The CP and UMD farmers markets are exciting days I can look forward to,” Nikki Cavender, a senior landscape architecture student, said in a text message. 

“I was so glad when I saw the sign that the CP farmer’s market was reopening because of how much I love the trip. Getting my bags, going to the market, walking around the tents and the produce and just feeling excited about eating the local veggies and fruits that they have. Supporting farmers is very important to me and being able to do that in College Park is great,” Cavender said.  

“Last year the College Park market had no food trucks if I recall and everyone had to wear masks. There was a very strict pathway you were supposed to walk, which frankly was what every market I was going to did. You could only enter at one end and had to exit the other,” Andrea Shirdon, a junior biology major with a specialization in ecology and evolution, said in a text message. 

“I was pleased to hear this one is back, it’s just a seasonal market but I like the fresh berries, green beans and corn that Millers Farm has. Since there’s so many markets around I kinda go to different farmers markets for different things. I think also for me this market marks the beginning of summer fruits and veggies which is super exciting because you can get tired of the cabbage-esque stuff and winter greens,” Shirdon said.  

“My favorite part of a farmers market is getting to interact with the people that produce your food. There’s a lot to be said about that, but I think it’s just valuable to know exactly who’s making your food and where it’s coming from. It’s also nice because when you work up a rapport with a vendor they’ll let you know what’s their favorite or even keep you posted on a crop you like. Like this one market I go to, the farmer let me know they had a freeze and would have less peaches last year. What I enjoy about the College Park and UMD farmers market is that they make fresh produce/meats and high quality goods accessible to the students and surrounding community,” Shirdon said.

“One thing that was nice about the UMD market was Larry [UMD Market Manager] would have food demos and show people how to make a dish using ingredients you could get at the market. So I felt like that made healthy eating even more accessible,” Shirdon said.