From Farm to School: Stony Brook University Hosts Farmers Market

Stony Brook University hosted a farmers market this summer featuring fresh seasonal products from local vendors. The farmers market will return this Fall 2017 in the Student Activities Center Plaza.

Along the new East Side Dining patio, the Stony Brook community enjoyed freshly picked produce from local Long Island farms, homemade pretzels, pickles and olives from Horman’s Best Pickles, naturally baked goods, and a taste of artisan spring rolls. Some of the vendors, such as Le Fusion Artisan Spring Rolls, were members of the Stony Brook Business Incubator at Calverton, others were from the Riverhead Farmers’ Market.

Fostering Community and Economic Growth
The collaboration between the Faculty Student Association (FSA), CulinArt Group, Stony Brook’s food service provider and the Business Incubator provided vendors the opportunity to promote their food businesses at the farmer’s market. The Stony Brook Business Incubator at Calverton and Agriculture Consumer Science Center work side-by-side with agricultural, aquacultural and environmental entrepreneurs to help them build thriving businesses, and since 2012 has supported more than 70 successful small businesses.

Farmers markets are a key component of the local economy as they promote sustainability, ensure farmers can make a living off of organically grown food and provide an outlet where communities can purchase their products. In addition, this farmers market helps foster a more united campus community.

“The farmers market not only serves as a way for the campus community to support local small businesses, but also motivates the community to connect with one another in a social setting outside the classroom and workspace,” said FSA Executive Director Nadeem Siddiqui. 

From Farm to Community Back This Fall
After the success of this venture, the farmers market will return this fall to offer fresh seasonal produce and other local goodies at the Student Activities Center Plaza on CommUniversity Day, Saturday September 23, and on Wednesdays, September 27 and October 11.

For more information, visit stonybrook.edu/dining.