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The new partnership with the Marshall Foundation will give the Farmers' Market at The University of Arizona more visibility and flexibility, and improve access for community members.

By La Monica Everett-Haynes, University Communications
September 12, 2008

Main Gate Square has another new addition.

The Farmers' Market at The University of Arizona is moving from the Mall to East University Boulevard through a partnership with the Marshall Foundation, which owns and manages most of the property along the strip.

“The market will be bigger and have more accessibility to the community,” said Gale S. Welter, the coordinator of nutrition services at the UA’s Campus Health Services.

"This move opens up the market to many more vendors who previously could not participate,” Welter said, adding that the new partnership will allow the market to invite smaller vendors.

“We anticipate a community loyalty to be built now that there is more accessibility,” said Welter, who is also the market coordinator. “It will have more of an urban market, sidewalk feel.”

The market, now in its third year, also provides many opportunities for student learning and service.

Health education interns help run the market as assistant coordinators and a nutrition class is responsible for having education tables at the market each week as part of their education on how to be effective in presenting a practical health topic in an engaging way.

An independent study student in nutrition will manage the "Locally Grown" consignment table, which is anchored by the produce of the Community Food Bank’s Marana Farm. This will support small backyard growers that are too small to have their own table every week.

The Marshall Foundation is providing the venue – on East University Boulevard between North Euclid Avenue and North Park Avenue – at no cost and will help with marketing, said Jane McCollum, the foundation’s general manager.

In fact, the acts leading up to a partnership between the foundation and the market turned out to be somewhat serendipitous.

McCollum had thought of introducing a market for some time, but did not want to overlap with the UA Farmers' Market. But when she got the call from Welter, McCollum said she was enthusiastic to start a partnership.

“I like farmers' markets and think they’re great for the neighborhood,” said McCollum, who had previously run a farmers' market for many years.

Merchants along University Boulevard also will participate with the market, which will be held Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from September through December, she said.

The first market will be held Sept. 19 with a range of items for sale, including organic and pesticide-free vegetables and fruits from various vendors, honey, salsa, Arizona olive oil, coffee beans, banana bread, grass-finished beef and more.

“We like working with the University and since it’s promoting an educational experience while providing people with quality products,” McCollum said, “it really fits with what we do.”