Hundreds of Samford University employees and students learned more about the source of the veggies they enjoy in the campus cafeteria and at home during a Farmer’s Market Thursday, Oct. 7.

The purpose of the on-campus event, sponsored by the Samford Student Dietetic Association, was to spotlight area farmers and promote sustainable and community supported agriculture. 

Six vendors, including Jones Valley Urban Farm organic food supplier, showcased their fresh-from-the-farm produce in Ben Brown Plaza. Interest was brisk, as customers left with bags of fresh tomatoes, cabbage, cucumbers, many other vegetables and bouquets of fall flowers. And, just in time for Jack-o-Lantern making, colorful, perfectly formed pumpkins.

The market was a “tremendous success,” said dietetic association faculty advisor Dr. Pat Terry.

“This was a win-win for everybody: the vendors who grow the food, as well as for the people who learned more about healthful eating and where their food comes from,” she said. “It’s all about connecting people to their farmers.”

The vendors who were present all supply vegetables that are used in the Samford cafeteria.

Vendors included Kress Farms, Haynes Farm, McKenzie Farm, Produce Specialist and Regional Produce. The latter was represented by several individual farmers, including two who came from Cullman County in north Alabama, and one who left his Baldwin County home in south Alabama at 3 a.m. to drive his produce to the Samford event.