Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) students had the opportunity to connect with local businesses at the first weekly Associated Students (AS) Farmers Market of the semester on Thursday, Sept. 5.
At least 10 local vendors were set up adjacent to CSUMB’s lot 71, selling everything from fresh, organic produce and pan dulce to handcrafted jewelry and baked potatoes.
Thursday’s farmers market theme was “Totes n’ Tunes.” AS provided complimentary tote bags to students, which they could decorate at a dedicated booth – while listening to “tunes,” of course. With over 300 students registered for the event, the market was a lively sight as students lined up to receive their bags.
With CSUMB’s distance from other markets, many students welcomed the convenience of having fresh produce and other food on campus.
According to Robyn Do Canto, Basic Needs Hub coordinator, the farmers market was primarily designed to be easily accessible for students, both in terms of proximity to campus and in pricing.
In addition to giving the first 70 students $10 vouchers, Basic Needs offered exchange tokens for students who receive CalFresh food assistance.
“Basic Needs partners with Associated Students to bring students fresh food and produce weekly through the fall semester. A lot of students love shopping at a farmers market in their hometowns so bringing a market with local produce right here on campus allows students way more accessibility to local fresh food,” Do Canto said.
This was the case for sisters Daniela and Crystal Morales-Garcia, who fondly recalled shopping at the farmers market in their hometown of Bishop in eastern California.
“I just love fancy little markets…they bring more community [than going to the store],” said Crystal, a first-year business major, carrying an armload of produce.
For Daniela, a third-year humanities and communication major, who had just bought a bouquet from Santa Rosa Flowers, based out of Watsonville, farmers markets are an enjoyable way to support small businesses. For her, connecting with the local producers was one the most important parts of the event.
“These people are out here, putting in the work. [The product] is just with more love,” Daniela said.
Third-year psychology major, Andrea Aguiar-Perez, felt similarly about the importance of connecting with local vendors.
“I really like knowing who’s selling my produce. There’s a face I can put to the person that’s selling me food,” Aguiar-Perez said, after buying some vegetables from Tu Universo Farm, based in Gilroy.
“That way I know what I’m paying for is going to them as people as opposed to a corporation.”
Whatever students were looking for on Thursday – be it fresh produce or a deeper connection to the surrounding community – it seemed that it could be found at the farmers market.