Farmer George from Ojai serves a student at the Gaucho Certified Farmers Market. Credit: Patricia Marroquin
On Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in a section of Parking Lot 23 behind the Student Resource Building, gone are the Toyotas and Hondas, the Volvos and Volkswagens. In their place are bountiful, colorful stalls showcasing strawberries, beets, corn, radishes, tomatoes, flowers, pies, jams, breads, almonds, artichokes – and even popcorn.
Graduate Division staff members, from left, Roxanna Quach (also a Gevirtz grad student), Brenda Briseno, and Erin Ferguson select fresh veggies at the farmers market. Credit: Patricia MarroquinThe Gaucho Certified Farmers Market had its official grand opening last week, with food trucks; entertainment by the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management’s home-grown band, Brengrass; and a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Marc Fisher, senior associate vice chancellor for administrative services.
The Gaucho Certified Farmers Market was an idea born out of Gaucho U, a staff cohort-based training and development certificate program that aims to foster innovation, employee engagement, and cultural change as well as build community and develop leaders. The cohort of 12, which included the Graduate Division’s own Walter Boggan, Director of Admissions and Outreach, identified a need for a farmers market, and their plan was part of a final group project.
The market, bearing the slogan “Eat Fresh, Buy Loco,” is expected to evolve, officials say. So mark your calendars, grad students, for Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and pick up your fresh produce at your own farmers market. You can view the grand opening festivities in the video below.
For more information, visit the Gaucho Certified Farmers Market Facebook page.
Dr. Michael Young, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, chats with UCSB staff members Josh Andersen and Logan Franken at the farmers market. Credit: Patricia Marroquin