Farmers’ Market

Farmers’ Market

NTTU selects local farmers producing and selling independently. Starting from March 2020, every Tuesday from 11:00 to 14:00, fruits grown by farmers are displayed and sold in the outdoor space under the trees outside the Second Student Restaurant on the campus to reduce the carbon footprint from food and to support local sustainable agriculture.

Objectives and Features of the Farmers’ Market
1.	The objectives are as follows:
(1)		Establish connections with locals: Direct purchase of fruits and vegetables from farmers helps students to understand the production of agricultural products and to learn more about the land, allowing them to connect with the farmers producing food.
(2)		Support the local agricultural economy: Directly purchasing fruits and vegetables from farmers is advantageous because farmers sell at a relatively reasonable price, and they also profit relatively well in comparison to by selling to mid-market merchants. This allows farmers to continue cultivation on farms.
(3)		Promote the sustainable development of the ecological environment: Purchasing local agricultural products reduces carbon footprints from transportation. Small-scale, friendly, or organic farming better facilitates sustainable development for the ecological environment of agricultural land.
(4)		Improve food education: Enhance students’ understanding of foods and the respective production process, namely, “from farm to table”, which is extended into education on nutrition, health, sustainability, and society to allow the students to finally acquire the correct concepts and knowledge of food selection.
2.	Main features:
(1)		Local, in season, and fresh: Taitung County has rich natural resources and a variety of well-known specialties from the agricultural industry and fisheries. Fresh vegetables and fruits in season include Valencia oranges, loquat, pineapple, custard apple, guava, banana, orange, gracilaria, and amaranth.
(2)		The unit price is cheaper than the market price: Farmers produce and sell independently; the quality is high, and the price is low.
(3)		Educational function: Farmers’ market promotes health and sustainability, which not only effectively encourages balanced diets but also reduces carbon footprint of food transportation. Moreover, this helps students to understand the food production process and improves relevant knowledge.
(4)		Provide a platform: A platform is provided to students, facilitating the purchase of local agricultural products; an educational function platform is established.
(5)		Create the Farmers’ Market website: Provided for students to learn about foods, the website has an educational function.

NTTU Farmers’ Market: Every Tuesday 11:00-14:00 outside the cafeteria. Support of local farmers. Education & Connection of Food Knowledge & Agriculture

NTTU Farmers’ Market: Every Tuesday 11:00-14:00 outside the cafeteria. Support of local farmers. Education & Connection of Food Knowledge & Agriculture.

Monthly vegetarian activities to raise awareness for sustainability since 2015. (Taitung University)

Monthly vegetarian activities to raise awareness for sustainability since 2015. (Taitung University)