Brandeis University
Tier2-3: Farmers' Market

Beginning in 2008, Brandeis students have brought a Farmer’s Market to campus at least once a semester. The market has always featured fresh produce and preserves from “local vendors and farms including Natick Community Organic Farm, Hanson Farm and Flats Mentor Farm.” The market historically was set up in the Gosman Center Parking Lot. The market began as a product of the Greening the Ivory Tower class, and was continued by the NaturaLiving club. THe farmers market was put on hiatus due to low interest from farmers. Now students work to run shuttles to Waltham's farmers market. Beginning in fall 2010, Brandeis community members were offered special fall-only shares in a local CSA with Warner Farms as an alternative to the farmer’s market. This CSA share program ran from early August to late October for a total of two months worth of fresh, local and organic produce. Approximately 90 shares were purchased for the fall semester, each share serving 2-5 people. This program served both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Brandeis faculty and staff- and provided a more solid commitment to a local farm than a farmers market can. The program will be expanded to offer a full 20 week CSA for 2011.