The Student Environmental Action Society hosted a farmers market, which included local businesses and farms who specialize in organic foods and homemade craft work, on Thursday on the Cannon Greens at the University of West Florida.
“This event is to promote and support local farmers and vendors and to raise awareness to the UWF community of these businesses,” said Lucy Carter, a SEAS member who took the lead in organizing the farmers market.
The Greens were filled with different booths representing different farms from around the local community, such as Jeta Farms from Elberta, Ala.
“We grow just about everything,” said Jeta Farms’ Eddie Frank. “It is all conventionally grown and sustainable for healthy plants.”
Another farm represented was Stewart Organic Farm from Bay Minette, Ala. owner Carl Stewart discussed the difficulties of growing organic produce.
“Growing organically is a difficult process in finding proper fertilizers and protecting the plants from insects,” said Carl Stewart. “Most commercial produce uses manufactured fertilizers and pesticides which put chemicals into the food.”
Stewart explains that he mostly uses chicken manure to create a natural fertilizer for his vegetables. Along with the many farmers, a few local vendors came out to the Greens.
The Cottage Café, located in downtown Pensacola and owned by Barbee Major, specializes in homemade desserts.
“I love them all because I created them all,” Major said.
She was showcasing six of her favorite gooey butter cakes in different flavors such as vanilla, pineapple and, her favorite, Raspberry Royale. The farmers market was a great opportunity for the campus to show support for local businesses.
“Especially with the recession, everyone should support their local businesses in order to produce jobs and keep the economy strong in Pensacola,” said Dana Longmire from Tart’s Sweets.
The event helped students see the benefits of buying fresh locally grown goods rather than commercial products.
“It’s good for students to attend something like this to raise awareness about the unlimited capabilities and benefits that we attain from eating organics and fresh foods rather than preservatives, hydrogenated soy beans, and high fructose products,” said Bobby Shell, a junior at UWF.
Local businesses, like the ones showcased at the farmers market, are going through the same economic problems as commercial businesses.
“Buying commercially sends resources to foreign places, when we could be re-routing our money to our community,” Shell said.
“We should all support local businesses because they are the backbone of America,” Major said.
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