Author: Kirill Sirik ’27
Is collaborating with local farmers a reasonable alternative to the current options available?
The produce we consume goes through many stages prior to reaching the consumer body. From the farm to production facilities to markets, food, among other perishable resources, often travels large distances from the moment of its harvest to its final destination. The estimates for the exact mileage are lacking, with most news outlets reporting a shocking figure of 1,500 miles. According to ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture, “studies estimate that processed food in the United States travels over 1,300 miles, and fresh produce travels over 1,500 miles, before being consumed.” That distance is almost the same as the shortest driving distance between Dallas and NYC. Due to the nature of transportation used in the food cycle, the produce cost varies with changes to oil prices. Furthermore, the farmers who harvest the crops do not get much in return for their tedious labor. According to the University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable Systems, “just 14.5¢ of every dollar spent on food in 2021 went back to the farm; in 1975, it was 40¢.” There is a greater number of inconsistencies in the US and global food cycle than one can count. Princeton Farmers Market aims to support both the local farmers as well as the consumers, all the while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by exclusively collaborating with individuals and organizations centered less than 50 miles away from Princeton’s Campus.
From local-grown produce to innovative sweet treats, products of all sorts appear on the shiny counters of the Princeton Farmers Market vendors. Once a week, students, as well as everyone near the campus area, have a unique opportunity to get their hands on the freshest produce. To learn more about this organization’s mission and values, we sat down for an interview with the Princeton Farmers’ Market current president, Genevieve Shutt ’26.
Shutt, who joined the group in her freshman year, described her interest in organization from the perspective of someone who has lived in a rural town and had experience with farming. Her interest in agriculture made the organization that she is currently a president of particularly appealing.
Vision and Goals of the Princeton Farmers Market
Princeton Farmers Market is grounded on the principles of community engagement, community building, and sustainability. Princeton students are provided with an opportunity to interact with Vendors, whether local businesses or individuals, whom they usually would not interact with. All individuals present at the market hail from less than 50 miles away from campus, which fulfills the integral ‘locality’ element of the market. The Farmer’s Market offers a multitude of options that include vegan and vegetarian produce, among others. Furthermore, all of the goods present are encouraged to have been produced with reduced energy use.
An effort of half a dozen individuals goes into maintaining the excellence of the Princeton Farmers Market In addition to the ‘traditional’ president, vice president, treasurer and other roles that assist with the Market events organization with the help of the university’s administration and the Office of Sustainability, Princeton Farmers Market student group relies on the dedicated efforts of the vendors outreach team as well as the marketing team. The vendors outreach team takes care of all of the paperwork that goes into making the farmer’s market come to fruition. The marketing team, on the other hand, is responsible for gauging interest between the student body and the vendors, such as collaborating with USG to offer vouchers to students.
Princeton Farmers Market student group has accomplished feats of all kinds. The organization is particularly fond of implementing the fall farmer’s market as well as the voucher program, which has significantly expanded attendance of the event. Princeton Farmers Market is committed to sustainability, which is underscored by the lack of reliance on shipment as well as direct interaction with vendors, which brings the market with sustainable options to students. This past farmer’s market, they were able to expand the vendors list by adding Princeton Farmers Market three new vendors: New Carlitos Taco Wagon; 1up 1 down, which is a coffee shop from Trenton; and Tico’s, which are known for their juices. In total, 12 vendors participated in the market, which is the largest number of individuals/businesses to participate since the organization’s founding in 2015.
Getting Involved
For those interested in getting involved with the organization, Princeton Farmers Market student group offers many opportunities to do so. The group hosts interest meetings at the beginning of the semester. Furthermore, the president of the organization encourages those having ideas, interest, or wanting to volunteer, to reach out to her. Check out this page to learn more about the organization. Feel free to reach out to Genevieve at gs7302@princeton.edu. The Princeton Farmers Market will resume its operations in the Fall 2024 semester.
Citations:
U.S. Food System Fact Sheet. (n.d.) https://css.umich.edu/publications/factsheets/food/us-food-system-factsheet
Food Miles: Background and Marketing. (n.d.) https://attra.ncat.org/publication/food-miles-background-and-marketing/