Celeste Cruz / Vaquero Radio
The Environmental Awareness Club (EAC) held its Farmers Market to sell students’ crafts, plants, jewelry, books and clothes.
President of the EAC Apolonio Flores said the Farmers Market helps fundraise for the organization’s trips.
“Whether it’d be for trips or other things related to the activism that we do and advocacy we do them monthly,” Flores said. “It’s all about promoting sustainability. Whether that be through slow fashion or just organic food, healthier food options, promoting a good student economy out of an affordable price.”
According to Flores, the Farmers Market has been going on for 10 years. He explained how the EAC was inspired to create the market.
“UTRGV is a commuter school, so sometimes it’s a little hard to organize these very simple but effective communal student gatherings,” Flores said. “So, that was the big inspiration providing that space for students to intermingle and just support themselves, support their clubs and organizations. It’s all about just promoting a stronger sense of community amongst students, and I think that was lacking for a long time so this is just a way of building towards that.”
The items sold at the Farmers Market have shifted over time, depending on what students are most interested in. As of now, Flores said thrifted vintage clothes are popular among students.
“It depends on what students or members of the club and what people’s interests are,” he said. “We’ve seen people be super interested in repurposing clothes and upcycling them and just giving things a new life … just in the prevention of waste. I know like a few years back we had a strong, like, vegetarian … vegan community within the school, they sell alot of their foods and just like promote sustainability through food habits.”
Member of the EAC Serenity Ross mentioned some of the items and foods that caught students’ attention more.
“Right now, probably the clothes, but a lot of people like the tote bags. … People like buying fruit because it’s so hot all the time,” Ross said. “We sold a lot of strawberries really quickly today.”
Students interested in being part of the EAC may visit its Instagram @eac_rgv or its V Link page.
This is Celeste Cruz for Vaquero Radio.
