This fall, St. Thomas students will have a chance to access fresh produce right on campus, thanks to the St. Thomas Stewardship Science Program’s Friday afternoon farmers markets.

Over the summer, 12 students came together from the biology, environmental science and engineering departments and worked at the program’s Stewardship Garden to help form the market. Junior Acadia Stephan and St. Thomas alumnus Liz Scherber are the main organizers of the market.

While this is the first time the market is appearing on campus, biology professor Adam Kay said the idea of a farmers market had been discussed for some time.

“It had been talked about a lot, but the logistics with using vegetables from outside farmers had complications,” Kay said.

The farmers’ market was able to be implemented this fall because the vegetables come from the Stewardship Garden and a research project called Growing Science, led by the biology and environmental science departments on campus.

Kay said scheduling the farmers market is tied to the growing season, which is from July to September. The organic produce offered includes tomatoes, eggplants, beans, peppers and cucumbers.

So far, shoppers have been primarily faculty and staff. Although Kay said he has been satisfied with the market’s attendance, he would like to see more students now that the school year has kicked off.

Kay said he hopes the market will both raise awareness for sustainability on campus and encourage students to try new food.

Junior Eric Riner purchased some tomatoes and an eggplant at the market, and he said it’s a good idea.

“I think it will have a positive effect on students,” Riner said. “The prices are very reasonable, and it is going to get students eating vegetables and cooking for themselves.”

Kay said one of his goals is to encourage access to healthy food that is easy to prepare and cook, and Riner said he believes the market is succeeding at that.

“I am definitely more inclined to cook more because the ingredients are being sold on campus. I would like to see it every fall and expand on it,” Riner said. “I thought it was really good, but I would like to see a wider selection.”

All revenue earned classifies as work-study funds for the students who are conducting research on the Stewardship Garden that is supplying the produce.

The market is open each Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the John P. Monahan Plaza in front of the Anderson Student Center.

Margaret Murphy can be reached at murp6449@stthomas.edu.