The farm comes to campus

Times may be tough, but Princeton students are still willing to pay a premium for fresh food.

The Greening Princeton Farmer’s Market, which returned to campus Tuesday, continues to prosper even in the midst of the economic downturn, vendors and student organizers said.

“This is a pretty good opening day for sellers, and it doesn’t seem like they have been affected,” market co-director Stephanie Hill ’10 said at the market. “There is a seller that was affected … by hailstorms, so he was out of cheese.”

Though local businesses have been affected by the downturn, Greening Princeton Farmer’s Market is faring well, sellers said, though they added that it might be too early to determine the full impact of the economic climate.

“We have seen no decline [in sales],” Herb Mertz ’76 from Whole Earth Center said, adding that his business has actually seen an increase in customers.

“Our sales continue to increase month after month, and there is no indication of lower sales due to the economic situation,” Mertz said. “I have no clue if [the farmer’s market] will be affected, though. We’ll know better in the next couple of weeks.”

Other sellers echoed Mertz’ sentiment.

“We mostly go to New York City, but even there we don’t see any difference in the number of people buying from us,” said Peter Lenocky from Valley Shepherd Creamery, which made its first appearance at the market on Tuesday. “Even in economic tough times, people still buy cheese and other dairy products, so we haven’t had a decrease in the amount that we sell.”

The Greening Princeton Farmer’s Market, which was “established to support local farmers, promote local agriculture, and educate students and the community about sustainable food,” according to its mission statement, is not facing any financial difficulty that would prevent it from operating as usual, student organizers said.

“We haven’t been affected much,” Hill, said, adding that the market gets its money from grants that were allocated before the recession hit. “We are, of course, trying to cut costs and move to become financially independent, but we are not under stress to do so.”

Students, staff and community members eagerly purchased products from the sellers as they strolled through Firestone Plaza and cello music played in the background.

Rachel Jackson ’11, who started buying groceries at the market during her freshman year at the University continues to make purchases at the market, despite what she said are higher prices.

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“They’re a little expensive, but it’s worth it, especially since there aren’t many grocery shops in the area,” she said. “I wouldn’t do my main shopping here, but I’d buy some fruit, meat and cheese and special things.”

Though Jackson has been a consistent customer at the market, she said she has been buying fewer items than she used to now that she is part of an eating club.

With specialty items like roasted eggplant spread, local fruit and vegan chocolate chip cookies for sale, the Greening Princeton Farmer’s Market appears to be retaining its popularity and does not seem to be at risk of being affected by the economic climate.

“This is the first [farmer’s market] here this year, but hopefully the recession won’t affect the business,” Witherspoon Bread Company manager Christine Granarolo said. “I would say that this market is pretty popular. There are students, teachers, and members of the community who come out and buy things.”