Smaller group to sell fresh, seasonal fare on Davis Field
The Healthy Carolina Farmers Market is back for the summer, selling fresh fruits, vegetables and other treats to USC students.
Though held on Greene Street during the spring and fall, the market is on Davis Field every Tuesday during the summer term.
The location isn’t the only change from spring to summer, however.
“There aren’t many differences,” said Jessica Johnston, director of Healthy Carolina. “The main difference is that there are usually half of the vendors in the summer as compared to the school year.”
This summer, six vendors will be on the field, between Russell House and Thomas Cooper Library, each week.
Though there are fewer vendors, the summer season allows vendors to offer more to customers.
“This is the time of year that you really get that seasonal fresh produce,” Johnston said. “You really get a lot of vegetables that you may not get early spring or late fall.”
With few students on campus this summer, the largest proportion of clientele comes from USC faculty, who are often in Columbia year-round.
“During the summer it’s usually more faculty and staff which is different than the school year,” Johnston said. “During the school year it’s usually split between students and faculty.”
The Healthy Carolina Farmer’s Market is not only a way to get fresh produce, but to contribute to the local economy, Johnston said.
“We really encourage the community to come out and continue to support it,” Johnston said. “This is a way of life for our local farmers and vendors so having that participation, even in the summer, is very important to them.