Adam Wright admits he now knows how his mother must have felt trying to get him to eat his vegetables as a boy.
Judging by the excited responses he’s seen on social media from his fellow University of Windsor students, Wright expects the debut of a farmers’ market on campus Thursday will make for a lot easier sell than his mother faced.
“There’s a lot of support for this idea from students and staff,” said Wright, who along with Lina Chaker and Osman Raza form the management team behind the market’s launch.
The University of Windsor Student Association has also been a big supporter of the project. “This will be a bit of test marketing to see how it goes. We hope to have this ongoing in the future.”
The market will be in front of the CAW Student Centre in the area commonly referred to as the Quad.
It will be held every Thursday until Oct. 17 and will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. The public is welcome as well as students.
“I think it’s a real good story,” said University of Windsor president Alan Wildeman.
“It’s all student volunteers running it. It’s cost neutral to the students and university.”
Wildeman especially likes the idea that the market is another way of building a sense of community on campus. He added he feels there’s plenty of space for another farmers’ market in the area.
“It’s run by volunteers, it gives people a chance to make healthier food choices and it supports the local economy,” Wildeman said.
“I encourage everyone to go out and shop there.”
Fresh, colourful farmers market produce. (Postmedia files)
Wright, an environmental studies student, worked this summer as the site manager of the Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market. That gave him the contacts required to draw vendors to the market.
He said the group has received support from other market groups and vendors in opening a new location.
“The vendors were easy to line up,” Wright said. “They told me they’ve been waiting for this for a few years.
“Hopefully with quality local produce available, we can get students to make healthier food choices.”
In addition to fresh produce and fruits, the market will feature baked good vendors, natural smoothies and a booth selling natural ingredient soaps and related products.
The group will also have an information booth to explain the advantages of locally grown and organic foods.
“We expect a minimum of 10 vendors and possible 15 to 20 in the long term,” said Wright, who said he’s unaware of any other Ontario university hosting a farmers’ market.
“All the vendors will be from the local business community or make their products from locally sourced ingredients.”
Wright said organizers are also confident of the market’s success from a strict convenience perspective.
The closest full supermarket is at Huron Church Road and Tecumseh Road West. There are a couple of smaller shops along Wyandotte Street West, but Wright said selection of locally grown produce is limited.
“It’s easy to get fast food or pre-made food on campus,” Wright said. “Accessing fresh produce and vegetables is trickier.
“The west end really is a bit of a food desert in terms of finding locally, grown fresh produce.
“I have lived on campus and in the west end of the city and it’s difficult to get fresh produce without a car.”
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