By Lena LaJoy
Every Wednesday, students and local business owners arrive at Tawes Plaza for the University of Maryland’s weekly farmers market, which promotes small businesses while providing students with cheaper, environmentally friendly products.
The farmers market features more than 20 different vendors, all selling a variety of items to students on campus. It features items including: produce, baked goods, flowers and jewelry.
Navia Pickman, owner of The PoshMallow, joined the farmers market because it provides her company with a means to promote its products. Working as a small business owner is not an easy job, and she relies on events like the farmers market to promote her brand.
“The more you come and shop at the farmers market, the more our small business can come out and be there when you want a healthy, delicious, yummy, natural snack,” Pickman said.
Vendors like Ryan Stine, an employee at Country Vittles, focus on ensuring their products are handled with care. The farmers strive to make sure the produce is high quality by monitoring animals’ health.
He said that when students purchase from a grocery store they run the risk of food being mishandled or expired.
“They know where it’s coming from and it’s fresh versus a grocery store that could have been sitting there for months before someone actually gets it,” Stine said.
Pickman also ensures that her products are environmentally friendly. Her company focuses on using less plastic packaging to reduce waste. She noted that using locally sourced ingredients means fewer toxins are released in their transportation.
“We have some packaging because our products, you know, need to be protected from the air and heat,” Pickman said. “But for the most part, it’s much less packaging than you’re gonna get when you’re going to a grocery store.”
Tracy Ly, a junior biology major, values the farmers market for many reasons. Knowing that she can find cheaper alternatives to a grocery store directly on campus is a huge reason.
“I think the apple cider was like two-three dollars for like a whole jug or something, which is pretty cheap,” Ly said. “It also feels good giving your money to someone who’s like doing this.”
The farmers market is beneficial to students like Lillee Hubbard, a junior animal science peer professional major, because it alleviates concerns about accessibility.
Hubbard said the farmers market being directly on campus helps students who do not have easy access to transportation.
“It’s easier for students who say, like, don’t have the resources to, like, walk to the store or something, or if they aren’t able to drive or they live on campus,” Hubbard said. “It’s possible to walk to the stores, but if they don’t have a car here, then it’s harder to get there.”
The farmers market closes for the semester on Nov. 19, but on Dec. 3, there will be a one-time Holiday Market.
Featured Image: Passersby observe vendors at the UMD Farmers Market. Photo by: Christian Lee