Several organizations on campus envisioned ways to make Colorado Mesa a healthier university.
Over the summer, the CMU Wellness Committee started its own farmers market, featuring local merchants.
“Originally, the idea came from Ed Bonan-Hamada, a professor in the Mathematics department; Rick Fox, the locksmith for CMU; and Emily Sanger, the former Assistant Director for the Hamilton Recreation Center,” Sue Graham, the coordinator of the group exercise program at Hamilton Recreation Center said. “Sanger ran with the program implementation. She put together all the nuts and bolts of the project. Ed thought it would compliment the work his son’s school was doing in promoting the consumption of fruits and vegetables.”
Having the market on campus enables students to purchase produce and other local goods without having to leave campus.
“The benefits include convenient access to fresh farm products, inviting the community onto campus to promote community awareness of the project and to enhance a good working relationship,” Graham said.
This is the first time that the farmers market has been on campus. Graham said she hopes that the Wellness Committee is able to offer a market next year.
“I wish it was the second or third year of the project,” Graham said. “We would have more vendors and have proven the benefits of the idea to the CMU community.”
Aloha Organic Fruit is one of the vendors at the farmers market. They offer organic and natural produce. Some of the specialty products they offer are apple cider, peaches, honey and coffee.
“Growing organic is more work and expense, but it’s what we want to do. It’s best for people and the planet, as well,” Steven Sherer, owner of Aloha Organic Fruit said.
Alpaca Products is another vendor at the farmers market. Tony and Karin Hurley raise their own alpacas. Their products are handmade and they use natural dyes to make purses, beanies and scarves.
“Alpaca fur is very beneficial. A lot of people think they are allergic to alpaca fur because they are allergic to wool, and that’s not true. Alpaca fur is hypoallergenic,” Karin Hurley said.
The farmers market offers more than just local goods. There is also a booth that provides information about a new wellness topic each week.
The CMU farmers market takes place from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. every Friday until Sept. 9. It is located behind the University Center in the courtyard.

sfrose@mavs.coloradomesa.edu