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An on-campus farmers market, intended to give ºÙºÙÊÓƵ students, faculty and staff increased access to fresh local produce, has returned for its second season. It will be open Wednesdays, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., through June 4 on the east lawn of the Quad, a hub of campus activity.

The East Quad Farmers Market began in spring 2007 as part of a larger pilot project of the Davis Farmers Market Foundation, designed to expand sales of local produce, promote the use of farm-fresh foods in K-12 schools and on the campus, and educate consumers about nutrition and healthful eating.

The campus farmers market also complements ºÙºÙÊÓƵ' own Foods for Health Initiative, an interdisciplinary effort that is addressing issues including nutrition, obesity, the availability of healthy foods, organic farming and industrial food production.

Among the dozen vendors participating in the market will be the Student Experimental Farm of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Shoppers can choose cherries, strawberries, apples, organic vegetables, nuts, olive oil and flowers.

The market is intended to help boost consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by members of the campus community. A 2007 survey of ºÙºÙÊÓƵ students found that 60 percent eat two or fewer servings of nutrition-packed fruits and vegetables per day.

The East Quad Farmers Market is co-sponsored by Campus Recreation, Campus Unions, Cowell Student Health Center, Davis Farmers Market Foundation, Davis Food Co-op, R4 Recycling and University Dining Services.