When Boston University students are asked to describe their campus, ears of corn, cartons of tomatoes and fresh-baked pies are not among the most anticipated answers.
Despite the university's association with being an "urban campus," BU has made efforts to create a small-town feel by initiating a weekly farmer's market in the George Sherman Union Plaza.
Now in its third year, the farmer's market, run by Dining Services Sustainability Director Susan Harper, hosts a variety of local vendors every Thursday afternoon from August to October.
Harper, who scouts potential vendors through websites like localharvest.org and by visiting other farmer's markets, said she tries to choose vendors that will appeal to students, as well as the rest of the BU community.
"I try to have a very well-rounded selection of products," she said. "This year, the fruit and vegetables are balanced with eggs, honey, bakeries and plants. We also invite some crafters and jewelry makers. The overall goal is to support local, sustainable agriculture and businesses and connect them to the students."
For College of Communication freshman Travis Brace, the farmer's market is the connection he was looking for in establishing his niche at BU.
"I saw the huge poster for the farmer's market in Warren Towers and was excited because I've been trying to find something like this out here," he said.
Brace, a Virginia native, has already partnered up with local farmer Peter Medaglia, working the Gold Meadow Farms farmer's market stand, in the short time he has been on campus.
"I kind of just fell into this job," Brace said. "Last week I was here and explained to Peter that I worked on a farm stand in Virginia and asked him if he needed help, and here I am, today."
A self-declared patron of farmer's markets, Brace said he believes it's important for students to buy "fresh and local" and know their vendors.
"When you're in college, you're at an age where you have to start making decisions for yourself about your food," he said.
Similarly, Aggie Pavlidis, an employee of The Danish Pastry House and vendor at the BU farmer's market, says she also believes in the importance of "buying local."
"It's important to support local growers and businesses because [the support] helps to provide jobs," she said.
Surrounded by tables of homemade desserts ranging from chocolate-chip cookies to fruit-filled tarts, Pavlidis, like her fellow vendors, offers to answer questions from potential customers.
"My biggest joy is educating people about organic food and the importance of using fresh products," said Erin Willet, vendor and owner of Smaht Fahm in Lunenburg.
Willet, a relative newcomer to the farmer's market scene, sells eggs, honey, jams and breads, under the slogan "Smaht Food for Smaht People."
According to Willet, Harper contacted her via localharvest.org and asked her to participate in the university's weekly farmer's market.
"We've done well, business-wise, but more importantly, I've grown up on college campuses and love the diversity here," she said. "I love meeting new students and re-introducing them to "honey like grandma made.'"
Like Willet, Pavlidis said she believes farmer's markets in urban venues are important because they give students the opportunity to avoid the supermarket and have personal connections with their vendors.
"Farmers' markets like this are a good way to get the farm feel into the city&-they get you out of that city bubble that so many people get trapped in," she said.
The farmer's market runs from noon to 5 p.m., every Thursday, until Oct. 14, in the GSU Plaza.
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