Busy students no longer need to go to the grocery store for their fruits and vegetables – there is now a veritable farmer’s market right on campus every Friday. Each week, Students for an Environmentally Active Campus sells market baskets containing fresh produce from Growing Power Community Food Center, a Milwaukee-based, non-profit organization that provides fresh fruit and vegetables for city residents.The market baskets contain a variety of fresh produce including white and red potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, celery, carrots, lettuce, spinach, greens, tomatoes, peppers, winter and summer squash, cabbage, sweet corn, peppers, beets, cucumbers, eggplant, melons, apples, peaches, bananas and grapes.According to the Growing Power website, “Market Basket is an alternative distribution system similar to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. This weekly, year-round, food security program supplies safe, healthy, affordable vegetables and fruit to communities at a low cost.”Market baskets come in several sizes including a Senior basket ($8 serves 1-2 people), a Regular Basket ($14 serves 2-4 people), an Organic Basket ($26 serves 2-4 people) and an All Fruit Basket ($14 serves 2-4 people). Orders are placed via email, and are collected on Friday afternoon in the lobby of the Union.Neal Styka, a fifth year senior in the College of Engineering, has purchased market baskets regularly for the past two years, and is continually impressed with the quality and variety of his baskets.“One of the best parts is that it [the baskets] varies each week so that I never get tired of eating the same vegetable,” he said. “And it’s a great way to get produce without the hassle of going to the store.”Market baskets are available to faculty, staff and everyone in the community, not just students. Administrative assistant to the College of Engineering, Jessica Bulgrin, for example, has been an avid market basket customer ever since she discovered the group last year.“My main reason for doing it is to support local growers, and I keep buying the baskets because the price and quality is good,” Bulgrin said.In 1995, Allen started the market basket program to enable people of all income levels to eat healthy.“You shouldn’t have to be rich to eat organic food,” he said. Allen is very pleased to be working with Marquette students.“When I started Growing People, I wanted young people to learn about food systems,” he said. “I want young people to learn to eat healthy food.”In 2005, Allen was one of 17 recipients of the Ford Foundation Leadership for a Changing World award.“These leaders are a welcome reminder that people can make a difference,” said Susan V. Berresford, president of the Ford Foundation, as quoted in the Riverwest Currents newspaper.“They have brought not only concrete gains to their communities but a determination to stand for justice that builds hope and inspires others. It’s never been more important to listen to them.”To order a market basket, students can email their name, phone number and order to marketbaskets@gmail. com. More information about Growing Power is available on their website, GrowingPower.org.
Popularity: 5% [?]
