A Fresh Idea in the Heart of Campus
Farmer’s markets in Madison are one of the many pastimes that foster sustainability and healthy living. One in particular promotes these two qualities for UW-Madison–the campus farmer’s market at Union South. Students or faculty coming from class or work on Thursday afternoons now have a centralized location at the Union to pick up fresh produce and other local food products.
Nicole Prekop, a UW-Madison senior studying psychology and leadership, championed the idea of creating the farmer’s market. “Our vision for the market was to expose students, staff and faculty to local farmers and provide healthy, local options at an accessible location on campus.”
As a student project manager for the dining services division at the Wisconsin Union and a training facilitator for new Union employees, Nicole’s work on the farmer’s market is just one of her many leadership roles in the Union.
When Assistant Director of Dining Services Carl Korz needed a student to tackle this project, he immediately thought of Nicole. “Nicole was a natural fit for this position, she is a great ambassador for the Union and campus to the farmers. We are so proud to have her; her contributions are in the best spirit of leadership and development at the Union.”
When Nicole began developing the plans to get the farmer’s market off the ground, she pulled together students and Union staff to learn more about what people wanted from a farmer’s market. Nicole’s team made their vision for the farmer’s market a reality by signing on a variety of local vendors and products. The farmers market offers fresh produce from squash, tomatoes and cantaloupe to local delicacies like the Union catering Parmesan Pesto Bread—all of which make it easier for campus residents to maintain a well-balanced diet.
In its second year, the campus farmer’s market continues to grow and features farms and food businesses across Dane County. “The best part of this experience is seeing the vendors on market day,” says Nicole, “They are so passionate about what they do and love to share their story.”
Establishing the market was the first step. Looking ahead, Nicole is also working on collaborations with student organizations such as Slow Food UW and F.H. King Students for Sustainable Agriculture to expand the local food community on campus. “I want to help bolster the educational component of the market. I hope that these connections and relationships with student orgs and vendors can be fostered and maintained for years to come,” says Nicole.
Thanks to Nicole’s leadership and dedication to this project, the campus farmer’s market establishes a space to practice both sustainable habits and community building every Thursday at Union South.
To see this article in the 2014 Wisconsin Union Annual Booklet, check it out here.
