You say you’re too busy to round up fruits and veggies for a healthy diet?

Well, with spring’s arrival, you have no more excuses — because there are nice people on campus who are bringing the produce to you, at the weekly East Quad Farmers Market and the PES Salad Bowl Garden.

East Quad Farmers Market

It began its spring run on March 31, and is scheduled to continue from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every Wednesday through June 2.

“There’s no better way to welcome back the springtime than by getting your fruits and veggies from the East Quad Farmers Market,” organizers with Health Education and Promotion said in an e-mail reminder about the market’s first day.

The goal of the market is to entice students and staff to live healthier by eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, for snacks and/or in regular meal planning.

Students may need the most enticing. A 2009 survey indicated that more than 60 percent of UC Davis students ate two or fewer servings of fruits and vegetables a day, whereas the federal government recommends seven to nine servings of fruits
and vegetables every day.

By setting up a farmers market in the center of campus, organizers are putting a variety of fresh produce (and flowers, too) within easy reach. The university brings in outside vendors for the market, which runs fall and spring quarters.

New this quarter: Students with meal plans can use their prepaid meal money to buy vouchers for the East Quad Farmers Market. Vouchers are available at all dining halls and residence convenience stores, and at the East Quad Farmers Market. In return for a swipe of his or her meal card, a student receives a $2.50 voucher — to be used as payment at any of the vendor booths.

Besides Health Education and Promotion, a unit of Student Health Services, other sponsors of the East Quad Farmers Market are the ASUCD Coffee House, ASUCD Environmental Policy and Planning Commission, Campus Recreation, Campus Unions, Davis Farmers Market Foundation, Davis Food Co-op and University Dining Services.

More information, including how to sign up for weekly e-mail reminders): healthcenter.ucdavis.edu/hep (click on the East Quad Farmers Market box).

PES Salad Bowl Garden

Students tend this garden in the courtyard of the Plant and Environmental Sciences Building, and invite everyone in the campus community to pick the produce, make salads, and enjoy — free of charge.

If you plan on eating in the courtyard, remember to bring a bowl and fork!