The semi-annual farmer’s market is back and better than ever, showcasing more vendors in its lineup than previous seasons in hopes of uniting the ETSU community with resources in the area.

“Everyone is welcome,” said farmer’s market President Lane Leonard. “It’s a way for people to kind of see what’s going on in the area in terms of local business while also being able to bring these outside resources such as food, art and all of those kinds of things to campus during the semester.”

The farmer’s market opened its season on Sept. 7, there are currently seven more opportunities for students to take advantage of the hub of local food and talent that the farmer’s market provides. 

Students interested in the farmer’s market can find it set up along the Pride Walk every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; the final farmer’s market of the season will be on Oct. 26.

Leonard said that placement of the farmer’s market along the Pride Walk makes student engagement practically inevitable.

“It’s really easy to be immersed in the farmer’s market, even if you’re not trying to be, because it’s literally on your walk to class,” Leonard said. 

Leonard shares that many favorites from previous markets will be returning this semester–like Rocky Top Shop, Drew’s Creations and Early Bird’s Coffee Company–but there will also be exciting new options for food and shopping.

Photo of students in line for Early Bird’s Coffee Company at the ETSU farmer’s market. (Dora Mercado/East Tennessean)

Food trucks Goodoo Bowl and Diggy Donuts will be added to the repertoire of dining options at the market. Appalachian by Grace Photography, providing art prints, and Close to Nature, specializing in handmade jewelry, candles and wax warmers, are among the new options for shopping. 

Leonard is excited to expand the vendors showcased at the farmer’s market and has high hopes that the tradition will continue to grow for years to come. 

“For students specifically, just having an opportunity to engage with all of that local business is just a really good thing,” Leonard said. “They’re able to interact with the community in a way that they wouldn’t always be able to.”

The future location of the farmer’s market is currently up in the air; Leonard mentions that now, the farmer’s market takes up almost the entirety of the Pride Walk, meaning that room for further expansion is limited. 

As the future of the ETSU farmer’s market continues to change, Leonard is hopeful that it will retain its foundation in student-work, along with its emphasis on supplying local produce.

Photo of a student shopping for plants at Mulberry Mobile Nursery during the farmer’s market. (Dora Mercado/East Tennessean)

“It’s a student organization through and through,” Leonard said. “It was started by students, it’s ran by students, and I hope it will be continued by students for years to come because I see not just myself, but other people that are really passionate about [it].”

Leonard mentioned that setbacks in securing produce vendors are not uncommon, but determination to supply the ETSU community with healthy options is a mission of the farmer’s market, so attempts to contact local produce vendors are ongoing. 

While this focus on local, healthy produce is typical of any traditional farmer’s market, Leonard said this priority is heightened for the ETSU farmer’s market because of its affiliation with the College of Public Health. 

For more information or to apply to be a vendor or officer at the weekly farmer’s market, visit their Instagram: @etsufarmersmarket.

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