Cristen C. '10 | March 31, 2009
"Fresh Food!"
Dining is a hot topic here, and rightfully so 'cause a tooling MIT student has got to eat. In fact, all college students need to eat (hopefully that wasn't surprising to hear). No matter which school you attend, most likely you'll be at the mercy of whatever treats the school gives you.
Today, something magical is happening.
Students, DSL team up to bring produce stand to campusAnne Wilson, Campus Dining
March 27, 2009A cooperative effort between students and Division of Student Life is bearing fruit in the form of a campus produce stand that will open for business beginning Tuesday, March 31.
The MIT Market will sell fruits and vegetables from noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays in the East Campus Courtyard near Walker Memorial. The stand will be run by Russo's, the Watertown-based retailer that won the "Best Produce" category in Boston magazine's 2007 Best of Boston rankings.
Sophomore Vrajesh Modi, an Undergraduate Association Senator from East Campus, proposed the project to Dean for Student Life Chris Colombo in January after working with other students to poll East Campus residents about ways to make fruits and vegetables more accessible and affordable. Modi, who called the fruit and vegetable stand idea a "unanimous choice," then worked with staff in Residential Life and Campus Dining to make the project a reality.
"Ideally, we would like to see the student body at large use this and see it have a positive impact on health and wellness at MIT," said Modi. "We would also like to see this become a permanent part of the culture and the dining system."
(You can read the rest here.)
As for me, I'm flippin' EXCITED! I don't care much for most fruits as they make my throat itch, but there are many vegetables which I love. Right now, it's 11:54AM. I happened to get out of class early today. I'm sitting in my room facing the EC courtyard, tapping my feet. Consider this a bit of a liveblog.
11:55AM: Check wallet. Cash? Check.
11:56AM: *wonders if just one $20 bill would be enough*
11:57AM: *goes outside*!
~12:00PM: Vrajesh '11 (not pictured) opens the grand opening ceremony with a short thanks to everyone who helped, then Dean Colombo cuts the "ribbon". Shopping commences.
12:19PM: THIS LINE IS REALLY LONG. And somehow it got colder, but I'm just glad it's so nice out.
~12:25PM: I now have a huge head of romaine lettuce, a bunch of snow peas, one red bell pepper, a variety of potatoes, a pound of carrots, and a bulb of garlic. And it only cost me $6! And I only stopped because I couldn't carry more in my hands, because I hadn't thought to bring some bigger, more environmentally friendly bag.. -_-.
~12:35PM: The lettuce is so huge it pretty much takes up the entirety of my dorm-sized crisper. With everything else inside, it doesn't really close anymore.. ah well.
12:37PM: Even Lulu's cat wants to see what all the fuss is about.
I plan to go back and buy a few more things, like green beans and maybe some herbs. Hmm, what should I make for dinner? :)
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The author has filed this entry in the "Food / Dining Options" section; check it out for further reading on this topic. |
Responses To This Entry:
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Ohh, nice. Fresh fruit.
...and by the way...FIRST!!!
Posted by: Maria '13 on March 31, 2009 01:54 PM
Yeah, this was pretty much the greatest idea ever.
Posted by: Piper '12 on March 31, 2009 02:51 PM
I am eating a pear from that stand right now. This pretty much made my day.
Posted by: Keri on March 31, 2009 03:12 PM
ditto Keri. Mmmmm, pear.
Posted by: Snively on March 31, 2009 03:47 PM
wow, Cambridge looks so dreary now. :(
Posted by: lol on March 31, 2009 04:11 PM
@lol - Weather's a fickle thing here. Now it's perfectly sunny, and the Charles looks absolutely gorgeous :D.
Posted by: Piper '12 on March 31, 2009 04:51 PM
LOVE.
Posted by: Reena on March 31, 2009 05:49 PM
this is a happy post
Posted by: Anonymous on March 31, 2009 07:54 PM
I wish they had this closer to West Campus! :( Oh well, gives me a good excuse now to hang out around East Campus more :)
Posted by: Ken Haggerty '11 on March 31, 2009 08:01 PM
i was super excited about the fruits too =)finally i don't have to hike out to haymarket, and can get much better quality food for just a tad bit more expensive
Posted by: '12 on March 31, 2009 08:48 PM
Excited to see lulu has cat
Posted by: comboy on March 31, 2009 09:54 PM
wowowowow! I'm so excited. Totally missed it today. Prices look good, too.
Posted by: lulu on March 31, 2009 10:20 PM
no more crappy produce from star
Posted by: lulu on March 31, 2009 10:21 PM
Is it organic? Local? I'd like to know, even though I guess I'm in no position to be picky, especially on a college student type budget...
Posted by: Ruth '13 on March 31, 2009 11:47 PM
Best thing ever!!!
Posted by: '12 on April 1, 2009 02:36 AM
Ohhhman they sell herbs too? Ommmm I love this school.
Posted by: Anonymous on April 8, 2009 11:35 PM
Wowwwww!! Heathy and Yammy :D
I love this school too!
Posted by: Dennis Kao on April 9, 2009 01:38 PM
Wowwwww!! Heathy and Yammy :D
I love this school too!
Posted by: Dennis Kao on April 9, 2009 01:44 PM
