Fresh produce and locally made food items just got a lot more accessible for Western Michigan University students and faculty. The Local Global Market is officially happening on campus in front of Sangren Hall every Wednesday, 10am-2pm with its last day on October 25th. The market is put on through a partnership between PFC Markets and the International Student Activities Office. Instead of students making the trek out to the Kalamazoo Farmers Market, or perhaps even traveling all the way to Portage, they have the convenience of accessing the Market on their home base. Fresh produce isn't the only food available either; there are freshly made cookies, homemade granola, gelato, cold-brew coffee, and much more.   

Christina, a student at WMU, discusses why she appreciates the Market being on campus: "I love how it comes to me while I'm available at school. I'm in class or at work during other Farmers Markets, so this is just so convenient. It's also a great opportunity for kids who live in dorms and don't have cars." Christina's favorite items she likes to buy are pears, apples, the "massive" cinnamon rolls, and the hot pepper mustard from LT's Angry Mustard. "I have to buy extra and hide it from my boyfriend because we go through it so fast," she jokes.  

Students aren't the only ones who approve of the Market being on campus. Nabe, the main farmer and forager from Bonamego Farms loves coming to WMU every Wednesday. She says she likes being on campus because it provides a change of environment and she appreciates seeing young people buying local food. Nabe enjoys giving students "tips and tricks" to preparing some of the items she has for sale that students may not know how to cook or eat, like paw paw fruit and ground cherries.  

The WMU's Office of Sustainability is also a big supporter of the Farmers Market coming to campus. Daniel, the Crops Coordinator for Gibbs House (a fellowship program from the Office of Sustainability) says he likes how easy it is for students to access fresh, local and healthy food. Gibbs House also sells their own sustainably grown produce alongside other farmers at the Market, but Daniel says mostly their goal is to try to educate students on sustainability programs and lifestyles they can get involved in at WMU. 

Bringing local, fresh and sustainably-made produce and food products right to campus is a fantastic way to get students more involved with the local Kalamazoo food community. Stop by every Wednesday from 10am-2pm located in front of Sangren Hall to see for yourself!