Farmer's markets bring fresh food to MU

The participants set up food booths along Lowry Mall.

By David Conway

Published Sept. 18, 2009

In an effort spearheaded by the Wellness Resource Center, representatives from the Columbia and Boone County farmer's markets turned Lowry Mall into the university's second farmer's market Thursday.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., vendors set up shop, selling a variety of goods ranging from meats and produce to honey ice cream and Hawaiian barbecue sauce.

The inspiration behind the market came from the success of similar events on different campuses, Wellness Resource Center Wellness Coordinator Julie Tobias said.

The success of the first farmer's market, held April 22, prompted organizers to bring it back this semester.

"Local food is a more sustainable source of nourishment," Sustain Mizzou spokesman Billy Froeschner said. "Also, directly interacting with the people growing our food opens us to a more pragmatic look at the world around us."

Tobias was very enthusiastic about the implications of the event to the community.

"One of the best things is bringing more awareness to the farmer's market," she said. "It provides the farmers a population they don't tap into. Students stay on campus and the farmer's market is west of town. This is a new and exciting opportunity for them."

Vendors and students echoed Tobias's sentiment.

"There are thousands of potential customers and they're excited to see things from home," Barbara Nobis of Grandma Barb's Pies said. "I guess they don't have this stuff at the dining halls."

The Missouri Legacy Beef booth was one of the most successful at the market.

"We'll sell, at the local farmer's market, about 150 hamburgers in four hours," said Mark Mahnken, as he manned a grill at the Missouri Legacy Beef booth. "We're going to sell 800 in four hours here."

Held in the center of campus, some patrons stumbled upon the market accidentally. This was the case for senior Laura Fritz, who had been on her way to McDonald's before opting to stop at the farmer's market.

"The fact that it's all local is pretty cool," Fritz said. "Plus it's not super expensive."

Some went to the market excited to support local farmers.

"A lot of people — especially students — aren't used to going out and supporting local farms," KOMU Director Jason Bowman said. "This is a chance to have a nice lunch on a nice day and a chance to support local farms."

Tobias said this semester's market expanded from the one held in the spring, but some students were still disappointed by the size.

"I was going to buy vegetables, but they didn't really have any," sophomore Michael Rutz said. "I think it was a good idea, but they didn't have enough produce."

Tobias didn't know the exact number of attendants, but said it was a successful event.

"We've had a really great reception," Tobias said. "Faculty and students are saying that they love having this fresh produce around. Some vendors have closed up early because they've sold out already."