Baylor hosts a free farmers market and promotes healthy living for students

By Emily Schoch | Staff writer

Baylor’s Free Farmers Market, a twice-yearly event hosted by The Store, was held on campus Wednesday, and students lined up on 3rd Street with bags to take advantage of the benefits.

With wellness in mind, the event aims to promote nutritious eating habits while reducing financial stress for the student body.

Trey Baldwin, associate director of Student Opportunity and Achievement Resources, said Baylor hosts the annual free farmers market to demonstrate its commitment to supporting the financial needs of its students.

While students attended the farmers market, they not only had the opportunity to receive free food, but also to make a contribution.

“It gives them the opportunity to donate swipes if they can. We ran ads telling students that they can go into the dining halls and donate food to help combat food insecurity,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin said Baylor wants to ensure its students are cared for at all times, not just once a year.

“The free farmers market is just a push to showcase students struggling with food insecurity and also highlight our own student food pantry on campus,” Baldwin said.

The on-campus pantry is located in Sid Richardson on the first floor and anyone can grab food from the pantry for free. All students have to do is stop by and get what they need for free. The Free Farmers Market is a larger example of what the student pantry looks like.

Dallas freshman Lily Barnett visited the farmers market. Barnett said she wants to eat healthy but has difficulty finding ways to do so when eating in the dining halls. She explained that the farmers market gives her the opportunity to get fresh produce without having to worry about the cost.

“I’m hoping to get some fruits and vegetables because I want to eat healthier, but I feel like it’s hard to eat healthy in the dining halls,” Barnett said.