Hub college students are skipping the dining hall in favor of trips to farmers markets located right on campus.
Northeastern University launched its first on-campus market this summer. Harvard and Boston universities have had them for years.
“Like everywhere, there’s a growing interest … [in] eating more local foods and supporting local growers,” said David Webber, the farmers market program coordinator for the state’s Department of Agricultural Resources.
It took NU students years to get the market planted. One of the tricky parts was getting vendors on board.
“There was some reluctance from farmers due to the fact that it’s a student-run market, and others they’ve been to have not been popular,” said Tim LePage, a student government vice president.
LePage said they were able to convince a vendor to participate in the weekly market because Northeastern students remain on or near campus through summer.
David Ryle of Heavens Harvest Farm in New Braintree said produce selections would change with the seasons.
