Every Thursday from 10a until 2p, Washington University’s School of Medicine sponsors a Farmer’s Market. Between April and early November, the market is located on Hope Plaza. During inclement weather and from late November through March, it moves indoors to the McDonnell Pediatric Research atrium. A variety of vendors participate, bringing local items for purchase. Vendors include Windcrest Dairy, Baetje Farms (goat cheeses), Stringbean Coffee, Great Harvest Bread, Soulard Spice Shop, and many more.
According to Betsy Snyder, Human Resource’s Engagement Specialist, “We believe the market is a great benefit to our employees and neighboring community. Offering fresh and local items is essential to better health. In addition, the market makes less of a carbon footprint by only using local items. If you have people shopping at our market, there are fewer people having to make a trip to the grocery store.”
In addition to buying from the Farmer’s Market, WashU staff, faculty, and students can participate in a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program partnership with Local Farmer CSA. Program members receive a weekly or bi-weekly Crop Box filled with locally grown produce, eggs, and/or other artisan goods. David Smith from Local Farmer CSA is committed to sustainable farming. He and other participating farmers grow produce using organic practices. David purchases meat that is antibiotic-free. He also encourages CSA members to reuse or recycle their Crop Box containers and egg cartons. He offers a weekly pick-up site at the WUSM Farmer’s Market and at West Campus (parking lot behind the 7509 Forsyth building in Clayton). The West Campus location is open to all WashU members and is just one MetroLink stop or short bus or bike ride from the Danforth Campus. It is a pilot program for the 2016 growing season. We are looking to add additional pick-up locations at the Danforth and North campuses beginning this fall, depending on the level of interest.
To learn more and sign-up for the CSA program, click here.