Corcoran Commons Plaza becomes a rainbow of color each Thursday when Boston College Dining Services unveiled its first in a series of farmer's markets, one of several new improvements in the dining halls.
Students formed a line starting at 2:15 p.m. for the market's 3 p.m. opening, hoping to get their hands on fresh corn, tomatoes, lettuce, apples, and even lemon cucumbers before supplies ran out. Highly coveted blueberries went first, selling out in just seven minutes, said Helen Wechsler, director of BC Dining.
All of the produce sold came from locally-based farms across New England, and prices, though higher than the super market, remained reasonable on the whole. The farmer's markets will continue until early October, weather permitting, and BC Dining hopes to reopen the market in the late spring. This coming week, Wechsler hopes to bring in new shipments of mozzarella cheese, garlic, onions, bread, and even apple pies.
Wechsler explained that the farmer's market has been an important tool to educate students about the benefits of buying locally. "Buying local means that you're really supporting a person or a family. BC students have such a great impact on social justice issues at home and abroad, and now they have the opportunity to do that with their dining choices," she said.
In addition to supporting small businesses, which generally have better working conditions than conglomerate farms, Wechsler said that the costs of shipping local products are minimal, which helps reduce the "carbon footprint" large institutions like BC tend to leave behind. Buying local, fresh produce means the product comes directly to you from the farm.
"You're paying for the quality of your food," she said. Prices will vary from week to week; as the season wanes, supply will be harder to come by.
BC Dining sets prices at the farmer's markets the same way they do for all of their other products, in order to cover their expenses and at least break even. Students may use their mandatory meal plans, Optional Dining bucks, and Eagle bucks at the farmer's market.
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