Purdue Farmers Market to open in new location
The Purdue Farmers Market will return on May 3 in a new location: Centennial Mall between Wetherill Laboratory of Chemistry and Stanley Coulter Hall. (Photo provided)
Starting May 3, the Purdue Farmers Market will return with new hours in a new location to offer fruits, vegetables, crafts and other goods every Thursday through Oct. 25.
The market will be open from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. It will be located in a spot on Centennial Mall between Wetherill Laboratory of Chemistry and Stanley Coulter Hall.
Officials from the Office of University Sustainability, which now manages the market, say the mall is a more central location with access to outdoor seating and green spaces.
"Our intention is to make the farmers market a destination on campus with a vibrant atmosphere that students, faculty and staff can walk to on their lunch breaks or between classes," says Michael Gulich, director of sustainability.
Moving the market also aligns with the sustainability strategic plan goal of expanding and publicizing the market's presence.
In addition to a variety of local produce and craft goods, the market will offer local prepared foods, which will be served during market hours. Twenty-minute parking spots will be available along Oval Drive and will be free to use during market hours.
Providing marketing support, contracts with vendors and a market master is Greater Lafayette Commerce.
"We are very excited about the new location and format," says Erin Nelson, a GLC program manager. "This gives us another avenue to get fresh, healthy foods directly from the farm to your table or lunch box. We are all looking forward to the Purdue market and we hope that students, faculty and guests will join us."
The campus farmers market will complement other markets that operate in Greater Lafayette.
* Historic Lafayette Farmers Market. Open 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays from May 5 to Oct. 27 on Fifth Street between Main and Columbia streets in downtown Lafayette. More information about the Lafayette Farmers Market, including a produce calendar indicating what's in season each month, is at www.lafayettefarmersmarket.com.
* Sagamore West Farmers Market. Open 3 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays from May 2 through Oct. 31 in Cumberland Park on Salisbury Street, West Lafayette. More information about the West Lafayette market is at www.westlafayette.in.gov/department/division.php?fDD=8-164.
