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Volume 18 Issue 1
September 7, 2011
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UNIVERSITY FARMERS MARKET HERE T0 STAY

Live, Love, Local: The Celebration of Food and Community Kicks off Tuesday, September {3

SERENA BLACK
CONTRIBUTOR

Students, faculty and staff gathered into the NUSC event
space, laughing and talking as they shopped for produce, jams,
baked goods and one-of-a-kind jewelry.

It was a unique opportunity to connect outside of the
classroom, meet local food producers and artisans - which is why
the University Farmers’ Market will now be a weekly occurrence
on campus.

During the 2011 winter semester, UNBC had pilot events
for the University Farmers’ Market to see if it was something that
the students, faculty and vendors, would be interested in pursuing.

With more than 300 people coming to each event, there
was no doubt that there was a ‘market’ on campus.

“This is one of the most exciting projects that I’ve been
part of at UNBC,” said Scott Green, Associate Professor and UFM
Committee Chair, adding that UFM is more than just a place to
shop - it’s a place to think about sustainability on a larger scale.

“This is a huge experiment for us, but what we’re trying
to do is facilitate discussions and relationship-building across the
entire university and the Prince George community,” said Green.

“We welcome anyone that is committed to finding
common values and activities to support the social, economic and
environmental sustainability of our community,” he added.

A huge kick-off event called Live, Love, Local - a
Celebration of Food and Community, is planned to celebrate the
grand opening of the weekly market. The event is going to include

CAMERON BELL

_____—} a huge indoor-outdoor market, and will hopefully become an

annual event to re-open the market, said Green.
Vendors will be spilling onto the front yard, and will be
joined by more than a dozen community organization tables, each

iy focusing on a different perspective of what makes a sustainable

society.
Live music, including performances by the Bricks and

»* Canadian Waste, is scheduled for the day, along with local food
* and a beer garden provided by the Thirsty Moose Pub.

The market is a great way for students and faculty to

— associate and interact out of the classroom, bringing along with

it important dialogue about environmental, social, economic and
cultural sustainability.

“We’re very focused on connecting with and supporting
UNBC students, particularly new students,” said Green. “New
students need particular support in making the transition to
university, and part of our goal is to come alongside them and
help them to learn practical life skills as well as a holistic vision
about living in community.”

ok KR

The kick-off event is Tuesday, Sept. 13 from lla.m.-4p.m., and

CAMERON BELL regular markets will continue every Tuesday, from Lla.m.-3p.m.

Students Check out the fresh produce and local meat at last year’s University Farmers
Market

For more information, please email ufm@unbc.ca.