The third annual University Community Harvest Farmers’ Market series will kick off on Friday, June 12. The first market of the 2009 season will be held that day from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., during SU’s Strawberry Festival, in the Q3 parking lot adjacent to the Quad. Free parking will be available in the Booth Garage, the University Avenue Garage and West Campus lots.

Presented by Syracuse University and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and open to the public, this year’s markets will feature a wide variety of locally grown fruits, vegetables and plants; snacks; condiments; ceramics; and other handmade items. There will also be educational literature on healthy eating, sustainable practices and organic farming.

The market season will continue in the fall semester, with markets planned for five consecutive Fridays: Sept. 11, 18 and 25, and Oct. 2 and 9. The fall markets will be held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Waverly parking lot, at the corner of South Crouse and Waverly avenues.

The University Community Harvest Farmers’ Markets began as a pilot project in 2007. Last year, some 36 vendors participated during each of the four markets.

“We are pleased to expand the University Community Harvest Farmers’ Market series again this year, to six markets, and to offer the public the opportunity to purchase fresh, wholesome produce and specialty items from the wide variety of fine craftsman and artisans in our greater community,” says Peter Webber, SU’s director of auxiliary services and chair of the committee organizing the markets. “We are especially pleased to kick off the 2009 series at the SU Strawberry Festival, a fun, community-building event that heralds the beginning of summer on the SU campus.”

This information was provided by sunews.syr.edu For more information, call 315-443-3608.