Tables of food, plants, clothes and other items filled SHAMU, the lawn between the Alumni Memorial Union and Schroeder Hall on April 25, for the Marquette University Student Government and Marquette Sustainability’s farmer’s market.
The market included educational vendors like Plastic Free Milwaukee, the Urban Ecology Center and Milwaukee Riverkeeper. There were also plants from Bayside Garden Center and Riverwest Grown, free stickers from Bublr Bikes, student-made jewelry from Krie A Tive Jewelry, and raw honey from The Cook Lab. Local businesses including Junior’s Smoked Barbeque and Valentine Coffee were present. Additionally dietary-restriction-friendly food vendors like Hooch Milwaukee, as well as food stands familiar to Marquette Campus like OzDogzz and Pete’s Pops were present.
Ashley Tan, a senior in the College of Engineering and MUSG Sustainability coordinator, said the purpose of the market was to engage students with local and sustainable businesses as well as introduce them to farmer’s market culture.
“Some people can’t go to a farmer’s market every weekend. A lot of people would love to but it’s just not accessible for everyone. So it’s sort of bringing that to their doorstep and then encouraging them to buy local. A lot of the people that are coming are straight up coming for the educational programs, so it’s just sort of a way to educate yourself [on sustainability] for free,” Tan said.
“Our goal for MUSG Sustainability has always been to create these spaces and events where a sustainable lifestyle becomes very accessible to the student body,” Tan said.
Tan said that this is the first time she can remember MUSG holding a farmer’s market.
“MUSG sustainability has been building up throughout the year because its a relatively new program,” Tan said.
Tan said to research the different vendors she looked at who catered other farmer’s markets in the Milwaukee area and assigned members of the sustainability committee to reach out to them. Out of the ones who replied, she said she chose the ones that would fit the Marquette community best.
Carmen Litzau, a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, said she works with Rewear It Marquette, which had a booth at the market. This organization hosts events for students to swap clothing for free.
“It’s a great way to renew your closet without participating in fast fashion and it’s also a great way to build community and get to know other people who are interested in things like sustainable fashion,” Litzau said.
Abbi Thompson, a first-year student in the College of Arts & Sciences said she was excited that the Urban Ecology Center had a table at the market.
“They have a center that I think is west of here where the Hank Aaron trail is and we got a chance to hike there, its a very accepting and great center,” Thompson said.
Tan said she hopes there are more sustainable events or farmers markets like this in the future.
This story was written by Ellie Golko. She can be reached at [email protected].
