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Post by Garrett Smith

On any given day on Temple’s campus, you’re likely to find some organization promoting itself in one way or another. Whether it be the Christian missionary with his big easel , or just one of the Sorority’s looking to turn a dollar for charity, the campus is always bustling with people who want to talk with you and give you tracts that you’ll most likely throw away 10 seconds later.

In a refreshing change of pace, the Students for Environmental Action held a Farmer’s Market on campus last week that included many local vendors from around the city. Yorktown Farmers’ Market, which comes to N. Broad (between Jefferson and Masters) every Thursday was there sporting all sorts of jams, as well as an assortment of gourds. The jam appeared to be very popular among hungry freshmen. Yorktown is a part of The Food Trust’s Farmers’ Markets, which hold markets every day of the week in various places in and around the city.

Also on display was a small table with vegan baked goods (which had some surprisingly tasty cookies) from The Natural Baker, as well as purses that were handmade from recycled plastic. An interesting addition to the market was Katie Haegele, a DIY zine publisher who brought five different zines and poetry books with her to sell, all self-published. Check her out at www.thelalatheory.com.

The Farmers’ Market was a welcome distraction to the normal annoyances of campus. The “farmers,” as it were, seemed to be enjoying themselves, and the students had genuine interest in their products. It turns out, Temple Campus may be the untapped market that could save this country’s declining economy. Or just a great place to sell apricot jam.