STUDENTS PLAN INAUGURAL FARMERS MARKET ON GW CAMPUS

Fruits, Vegetables, Crafts to be Sold in Open-Air Market
October 23

WASHINGTON – If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, The George Washington University senior Joshua Singer reasons one way to a community’s heart is through the fruits and vegetables of a farmers market.

The simple pleasure of being able to purchase fresh apple cider at a market in New York City sparked the idea for Singer.  Less than a year later, his vision for a farmers market for students will become a reality.

The inaugural GW Farmers Market will be held on Wednesday, October 23, 2002.  Located on the GW campus at Kogan Plaza, between 21^st and 22^nd Streets and G and H Streets NW, the market will offer fruits and vegetables, baked goods and handmade crafts from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  

“The goal of the GW Farmers Market is to build a stronger sense of community for GW students,” said Singer, chairman and manager of the GW Farmers Market Association, the organization he formed to manage the venture.  “Ideally the October 23^rd market will be the first of many GW Farmers Markets, occurring at regular intervals down the road.”

After his trip to the market in New York City, Singer bounced the idea of a farmers market off several GW students and staff, and received a positive response.  Encouraged by the feedback, Singer conducted research on farmers markets in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.  Singer analyzed costs and procedures, as well as gauging interest from vendors at local farmers markets about participating in a GW farmers market.  With a business plan and policy book in place, Singer presented his vision to the GW administration, the Student Association and members of the Foggy Bottom community, and all pledged support for the market.

The motto of the GW Farmers Market Association is “Building Community Through Food.”  Singer is out to prove that this project is not just another catchy idea, but a program that brings a tangible sense of community to the campus.

“When the GW Farmers Market begins to make money, we would like to create a non-profit organization with the proceeds,” Singer explained.  “Through that organization we can further GW’s tradition of working with and giving back to the Foggy Bottom community.”

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