The Farmers Market Returns to Tawes Plaza
By Emily R. Condon
Sept. 30, 2021
Image Credit: Emily R. Condon for The Campus Trainer
On Wednesdays students can find an assortment of local vendors and fresh foods in Tawes Plaza. Hosted by the University of Maryland Dining Services, the Tawes Farmers Market has returned to campus.
“I think it is incredible that the students have shown up in this multitude so far,” said Andrew Muir, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources communications manager. “It’s only the second week that the farmers market has been going on, and I think that it is a great way for everyone to get the sense of community again, while also supporting our local farmers and vendors who, despite the pandemic, continued to provide for the community. It’s pretty awesome to get everyone together in a space like this.”
On Sept. 15, students could find everything from fresh foods to jewelry and wine in the plaza. Chocolate Moonshine Co., operated by its owner Edward Heller, had the Fudge Bar open. The stand offered handcrafted gluten free fudge in an assortment of flavors, including: Fireball, strawberry cheesecake, and rocky road.
“I think it is incredible that the students have shown up in this multitude so far,” said Andrew Muir, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources communications manager. “It’s only the second week that the farmers market has been going on, and I think that it is a great way for everyone to get the sense of community again, while also supporting our local farmers and vendors who, despite the pandemic, continued to provide for the community. It’s pretty awesome to get everyone together in a space like this.”
On Sept. 15, students could find everything from fresh foods to jewelry and wine in the plaza. Chocolate Moonshine Co., operated by its owner Edward Heller, had the Fudge Bar open. The stand offered handcrafted gluten free fudge in an assortment of flavors, including: Fireball, strawberry cheesecake, and rocky road.
Image Credit: Emily R. Condon for The Campus Trainer
RavenHook Bakehouse sold European style artisan breads and pastries. Randalia Bee Hives offered naturally crafted soaps, honey and tea, while Beads by Bettina stationed next to it vended earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Cove Point Winery & Vineyard was manned by Melissa Wheeler, the tasting room manager, who sold an assortment of wines.
“I’m happy to be back. We [Cove Point Winery & Vineyard] have been doing this for years now, so it’s like we are a staple for this little market, and it feels great to be back honestly,” Wheeler explained, “[Business has been] good… really good actually. It’s been busy with all the little markets now that they’re opening up. It’s been steady.”
One of the market’s most loved shops is McLeaf’s Orchard, run by its owner Brady Griest. McLeaf’s Orchard offers produce, honey, and fruit juices, but is perhaps most popular for its apple cider.
“Apple cider sales have been fantastic and business has been great for the first week. It’s nice [to be back in person],” Griest explained.
Other vendors, such as Charity Hare, co-owner of the family farm Country Vittles, spoke about her business’ motive besides selling milk, eggs, and meats to students at the market.
“It’s great for our business because it is another interaction with the public directly. Part of what we did is we not only sell the products from the animals we raise on the farm, but there’s a lot of education that goes on here.” Hare explained that “because [for] a lot of the students here, this is the first time that they are cooking for themselves, this is part of them learning how to shop for themselves, so we are here to answer a lot of questions. So we can hopefully clear up a lot of confusion, misconceptions and misinformation. You just don’t know what you don’t know until you are put on the spot and have to buy something for yourself.”
“I’m happy to be back. We [Cove Point Winery & Vineyard] have been doing this for years now, so it’s like we are a staple for this little market, and it feels great to be back honestly,” Wheeler explained, “[Business has been] good… really good actually. It’s been busy with all the little markets now that they’re opening up. It’s been steady.”
One of the market’s most loved shops is McLeaf’s Orchard, run by its owner Brady Griest. McLeaf’s Orchard offers produce, honey, and fruit juices, but is perhaps most popular for its apple cider.
“Apple cider sales have been fantastic and business has been great for the first week. It’s nice [to be back in person],” Griest explained.
Other vendors, such as Charity Hare, co-owner of the family farm Country Vittles, spoke about her business’ motive besides selling milk, eggs, and meats to students at the market.
“It’s great for our business because it is another interaction with the public directly. Part of what we did is we not only sell the products from the animals we raise on the farm, but there’s a lot of education that goes on here.” Hare explained that “because [for] a lot of the students here, this is the first time that they are cooking for themselves, this is part of them learning how to shop for themselves, so we are here to answer a lot of questions. So we can hopefully clear up a lot of confusion, misconceptions and misinformation. You just don’t know what you don’t know until you are put on the spot and have to buy something for yourself.”
Image Credit: Emily R. Condon for The Campus Trainer
Since Tawes Market was closed for much of 2020 and 2021, vendors such as Melanie Parker, owner of Mel’s Munchies, which sells cookies and other baked goods, was ecstatic to be back at the weekly market.
“It’s been great [selling here at the Tawes Market] and really busy. It seems like the students are really happy we’re back; I’m happy to be back. We were shut down for a whole year and a half; I can’t even remember. But it’s been a really long time. Everybody is out on this nice day,” Parker said.
“It’s been great [selling here at the Tawes Market] and really busy. It seems like the students are really happy we’re back; I’m happy to be back. We were shut down for a whole year and a half; I can’t even remember. But it’s been a really long time. Everybody is out on this nice day,” Parker said.
Image Credit: Emily R. Condon for The Campus Trainer
Kai Huang, former agriculture student, Green Dining member and Campus Compact Mid-Atlantic AmeriCorps VISTA member , explains that the market will remain open, granted it’s safe to do so.
“It has been great. We didn’t expect this many people to be coming out so early in the farmer’s market [season]. Usually we start earlier in the year - in the spring - and go through the summer, but we started this year in the fall because of the pandemic. A lot of our vendors were not expecting it to be this busy. Last week, actually, RavenHook and Mel’s sold out within the first hour or two. This week they came back and are prepared to handle the large amounts of business and students that are interested in their products. I think it is great that we are able to come back, and as long as we stay safe, I think this is a great addition to our campus community,” Huang explained.
On Oct. 13 the market will be hosting a Harvest Festival, and in the meantime, students can look for the Farmers Market in Tawes Plaza every Wednesday.
“It has been great. We didn’t expect this many people to be coming out so early in the farmer’s market [season]. Usually we start earlier in the year - in the spring - and go through the summer, but we started this year in the fall because of the pandemic. A lot of our vendors were not expecting it to be this busy. Last week, actually, RavenHook and Mel’s sold out within the first hour or two. This week they came back and are prepared to handle the large amounts of business and students that are interested in their products. I think it is great that we are able to come back, and as long as we stay safe, I think this is a great addition to our campus community,” Huang explained.
On Oct. 13 the market will be hosting a Harvest Festival, and in the meantime, students can look for the Farmers Market in Tawes Plaza every Wednesday.
Image Credit: Emily R. Condon for The Campus Trainer