Students stock up on produce at Free Farmers Market

A nutritional diet is essential to thrive in school and extracurricular activities. However, access to fresh produce is challenging for many college students living on their own.

On Thursday, hundreds of Mavericks stocked up on fresh fruits and vegetables at the Free Farmers Market held at the Preska Lawn near the Maverick Food Garden. 

Minnesota State’s community engagement group, Mavs in Action, hosted the event to educate students about the importance of nutritional foods and provide them with free produce. 

“The importance of the event is not necessarily that it’s free; it’s access to good nutrition,” Assistant Director of Community Engagement Crystal Watts said. “We know students do better and function better when they have full tummies.” 

This fall, with the help of organizers Maverick Food Pantry and Second Harvest Heartland, the event offered an extensive variety of produce. 

“We connect with the Second Harvest Heartland through the Maverick Food Pantry to organize the Free Farmers Market event,” said Watts.“At this event, we have potatoes, onions, celery, mini cucumbers, watermelons, pears and apples. It’s the largest variety we have ever had.”

The vast number of fruits and vegetables at the event allows students to create delicious, healthy meals while reflecting on why nutritious food is important. 

“I want to make a stew with the potatoes and onions, but I’m also excited to add the fruit I got to my yogurt,” senior Atlas James said. “I think access to free produce helps a lot with the diet we see in students right now. … Fresh food really benefits people in health management.” 

“I plan on making salsa with the onions I picked and salads with the cucumbers,” senior Claire Dolan said. “I think, especially for college students, we must receive proper nutrition to feel good and excel in our classes.”     

The Mavs in Action volunteers said they had a great time helping out with the event and found it to be a rewarding experience. 

“I volunteered because I really liked the purpose behind the event, and it also gave me a chance to meet new people,” student volunteer Fatima Orujova said. “I like how events like this are accessible to everyone, especially for those who may struggle with buying healthy foods.”  

If you missed the Free Farmers Market this Fall, you can attend the second one in the Spring. 

“We host the farmers market once in the fall and once in the spring. We wish we could host it more often, but getting an event like this one together takes a lot,” said Watts. 

For more information on volunteer opportunities or other events hosted by Mavs in Action, visit mavcentral.mnsu.edu.

Write to Tina Dolan at dolatinaj@gmail.com