Throughout this week, students have the opportunity to grab free promotional items, meet USC’s first lady, watch a runway show and learn about living a greener and healthier lifestyle as part of the 2013 Sustainability Week.
At today’s Healthy Carolina Farmers Market on Greene Street, the Sustainable Carolina booth will be giving away grab bags of free items and information packets about going green.
Later today, students can go to the West (Green) Quad Learning Center and learn how to shop for organic food on a college budget. The presentation, led by Marie Sutherland-Lawless, will demonstrate how to shop at natural grocery stores at a low cost.
The USC’s first lady is also getting involved in the festivities; Patricia Moore-Pastides is scheduled to speak to students at the Green Quad building A lobby Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at the Coffee & Convos event.
“It is so cool that I have the opportunity to meet Mrs. Moore-Pastides and have coffee with her,” first-year visual communications student Heather Midkiff said. “I can’t wait to hear what she has to say about living a healthier lifestyle.”
Students will have the chance to learn more about fad diets and nutritional science at the “Food Facts & Fads” session Thursday. Led by Dr. Jack Goldsmith, the event will explain the science of dieting and the pseudoscience of miracle foods. The event will be held at 5:30 pm in room B112 of the Honors Residence Hall.
The Reclaimed Runway show will feature designers showing off creations made entirely of recycled objects. A panel of judges will choose the best outfit based on the use of materials and creativity of design and will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Green Quad Amphitheatre.
As a fashion merchandising student, Shannon Harwell thinks Reclaimed Runway is the best of both worlds.
“A lot of students at USC love fashion, so it’s really cool that Sustainable Carolina is incorporating that passion into this week,” Harwell said. “I can’t wait to see what the designers create.”
The Hall-O-Green event with Green Quad Ambassadors at 5:30 p.m. in the Green Quad Learning Center will cap off the week. Students will be able to learn how to make earth-friendly holiday décor and make Halloween-themed crafts out of recyclable materials, while enjoying fall-themed refreshments.
Lora Stearns, a third-year environmental science student, believes students should take part in the week’s activities, while focusing on the bigger picture.
“I think our generation is naive when it comes to world issues, and this will bring light to things they’re not aware of,” Stearns said.