Student organizations join forces to promote buying local

Samantha McCartney

Staff Writer

An attempt to promote local purchases on college campuses through weekly fresh markets is extending its arms to the VCU campus this Friday with Earth Day 2012: Rams Community Bazaar.

Organized collaboratively by campus organizations Green Unity and the newly-rooted Rams Community Bazaar, the event aims to trigger a stimulation of the economy in Richmond based on local trade, removing itself from large scale markets. There will be more than 40 student and local vendors selling fresh produce, homemade soaps and “upcycled” items such as jewelry.

Upcycling refers to the process of reusing an unused or unwanted item for another purpose, rather than just recycling it, which, despite being a earth-friendlier alternative to landfill disposal, is still a chemical process.

For graduating senior Brady Rall, the organization of the event was a rewarding way to finish out his time at VCU, he said. He credits several departments with the sponsorship of the events, including the Sustainability Department and the Global Education Office.

“One of the main benefits is that VCU will have a space where students can connect with the Richmond area and purchase fresh, local food,” he said.

Several other organizations will make appearances at the Bazaar, including Tricycle Gardens, an environmental non-profit organization in Richmond. They are responsible for the installation of several urban farms throughout the city, which facilitate and encourage the production of organic fresh produce.

Senior art history major Dennis Williams is not only a member or Tricycle Gardens, but also the Alexandrian Society, who will have a large prescence at the Bazaar. The society is a studentled association for history majors and other students interested in history and takes its name from the ancient library of Alexandria, Egypt, one of the ancient world’s foremost centers of knowledge and enlightenment.

At Friday’s bazaar, Alexandrian Society members hope to help people understand why the Bazaar is so important to Richmond as a community.

Williams, who described himself as passionate about the chance to educate the VCU population on the benefits of fresh markets, expressed his wish for students to understand the importance of getting involved around Richmond.

“There are so many things that Richmond has to offer that we want to reveal,” he said. “It’s essential to promote student involvement outside the realm of VCU.”

As shopping bags, attendants will receive bags made from donated T-shirts by Green Unity member Caitlyn Kremp. There will be a range of activities for all ages, from henna tattoos to 9-foot long interactive art walls to segway tours.

The Earth Day 2012: Rams Community Bar will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Park Plaza and Commons Plaza.