University of Alberta
PAE-T2-12: Farmers' Market

Hosted by Sustain SU, the UAlberta Farmers' Markets bring together campus community members to explore the world of local, organic, and sustainable! Aiming to provide the campus community with access to local businesses, products, and food, our market demonstrates the importance of supporting local economies and allows campus community members to engage with the people who raise, grow or make their food or create or design goods and crafts. The Farmers' Market provides a venue for the UofA to explore the social, economic and environmental benefits of buying local. Simultaneously we shed light on issues of food security, sustainable business practices and food production. Our educational efforts included hosting other sustainability-related organizations at our market and encouraging market attendees to engage with the vendors; to ask questions and learn about what they do. After two successful pilot Markets hosted by the Sustainable Food Initiative in the 2010-11 year, Sustain SU hosted a full year of Farmers' Markets in 2012-13 and in 2013-14. The market runs from September to April, every second Thursday from 10 am-2 pm on the main floor of the Students’ Union Building. It is open to all UAlberta students, staff, and faculty and the Edmonton community. Nineteen local vendors participated in our market in 2013-14 academic year, selling everything from ethnic food and produce to handmade earrings and wellness products.