LMU student, Catie Bereznay, received a $10,000 grant from The Donald A. Strauss Foundation to start a farmer’s market on campus starting the ’07 spring semester.

Bereznay initially came up with the idea when she and her roommate noticed the lack of options for fresh produce on campus.  She says that the market will not only create easy access to fresh produce but support local California farmers as well.

In addition to offering fresh fruits and vegetables, Bereznay says that LMU’s farmer’s market will serve as a platform for other social issues. The market plans to offer socially conscious consumer items from vendors such as American Apparel, Syracuse Cultural Workers and the co-ops of the Good Shepherd Sisters. Also, Bereznay plans to invite different social justice organizations on campus to dialogue about their causes.

“It says very clearly in our school’s mission statement, that LMU is dedicated to, ‘fostering a just society through a commitment to social justice and service,’” said Bereznay. “The market is a perfect way to make it easy for faculty, staff, and students to actively live out our mission statement.”

The market will be open to the public to continue to develop a positive relationship with the community and Bereznay hopes to organize one market per month.

Bereznay is a senior and a double major in biology and political science. Recently, she received a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship and plans to pursue her master’s in public health in Africa.
The Donald A. Strauss Public Service Scholarship is awarded to students that display a commitment to public service or education. The foundation annually awards $10,000 scholarships to no less than 14 college juniors in California.

Photo: Ngoc Nguyen
(article supplied by Fred Puza)