Students no longer have to look farther than campus for farm-fresh, seasonal produce.
University Dining debuted the new farmers market, located at The Plaza in the University’s Union Square near the LSU Bookstore, which showcases the same fruits and vegetables used to prepare meals at The 5 and The 459 dining halls.
The market will be held every Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., until Nov. 21, when University Dining will pick up shop for the semester. The farmers’ market will return for the spring semester, when new crops are available.
Because University Dining established the farmers’ market as a service to the community – not to make a profit – University Dining Marketing Director Dean Samuels said all the produce sold is reasonably priced and easily within students’ budgets.
This week’s produce selection includes squash, green beans and pepper. Like all of the market’s produce, these items were grown in farms within a 100-mile radius of the University, said Auxiliary Services Executive Director Margot Carroll.
Capitol City Produce helps the University find the closest farmers so the market can provide the freshest produce with the best taste, Samuels said.
Because there isn’t another farmers’ market near campus, it’s especially convenient for students and faculty, Carroll said.
After Carroll brought the idea to campus from the University of Delaware, where she was previously employed, LSU adopted it as part of its goal to explore new ways to engage the community.
During the farmers market, Chef Jon Jackson from University dining prepares samples using the produce at the market for participants, Carroll said.
This week Jackson featured sweet potatoes in the samples he created.
The LSU AgCenter sends students to promote healthy living and give information on different produce featured at the market, Carroll said.

Gallery • 5 Photos

Angela Major

Cucumbers sit in a box Thursday at LSU Dining's "Eat Local" Farmer's Market next to the LSU Union Square.