Reconnect, a student group dedicated to advocating environmental issues, welcomed the Pointe Coupee and Indian Springs Farmers’ Associations to campus to sell their produce during their first Famers Market of the year.
The market was held in the Student Union Mall on Wednesday, Feb. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Farmers sold a variety of vegetables including potatoes, brussel sprouts, green onions, mustard greens and broccoli sprouts. Honey and sweet potato pies were also offered, but sold out soon after the market opened. Both farms made over $400 selling their produce, which many students took advantage of for a healthy alternative to fast food.
Leanne Keen, a freshman majoring in electronic media, purchased greens and sweet potatoes for about $3.50.
“I think this is a great idea,” said Keen. “I try to abstain from fast food, and Farmers Markets like this are a very viable option for getting your nutrients in without having to pay a lot.”
In addition to the market, Reconnect held a survey asking random students how much money they would be willing to add to their tuition for a “real food” fund, which would provide locally grown produce in campus dining options. Three choices were offered: .50, .75. or $1.
“All we want to know is how much students are willing to pay for ‘real food’,” said Valerie Melara, Reconnect’s president. “We want to talk with campus dining in this respect of real food, so that they know what their students want. We’re getting a lot of great responses; many students are willing to pay $1 extra in their tuition to help set up a real food fund, which is really good.”
Of the 122 students who participated in the survey, 106 said they would pay $1 extra; nine said .75 and seven said .50. However, Joshua Austin, a senior pre-med biology major, was willing to pay $50 for real food.
“To have real food at Southeastern, I would easily pay $50 more in my tuition,” said Austin. “I feel that it’s good to have a variety of healthy choices instead of eating Burger King or Taco Bell everyday. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I would like to have the choice.”
Darnella Burkett of the Indian Springs Farm was very pleased with the student turnout.
“We are very happy,” said Burkett. “Students come out and support the market. They let us know what they would like for us to grow and what they would like for us to bring back. We do our best to work with them and provide them with whatever they ask.”
According to Amy Edwards, a  senior sociology major, member of Reconnect and local advocate of the Real Food Challenge, the student group has worked with on campus departments to include real food in campus food options. Since they began the push two years ago, they have made great progress.
“If you go to the cafeteria, you’ll see the sign that says ‘look for this local food here,'”said Edwards. “That’s fantastic. Two years ago, we were passing around surveys to get any local produce on campus.”
Reconnect will be holding another Farmers Market on April 25, from 8 to 11 a.m., in the Student Union Mall.