Partnering with neighbors who expressed a need for access to fresh, healthy food, Loyola University Maryland and the York Road Partnership will host the new Govanstowne Farmers’ Market on four consecutive Wednesday afternoons starting July 20.
Loyola students, faculty, and staff worked with fellow Govans community members to create and organize the farmers’ market as a project of Loyola’s York Road Initiative, a collaborative effort to develop a plan to improve the quality of life for people living, working, and learning in the area. During “Loyola is Listening,” members of the community identified the creation of a farmers’ market as a number one priority and an opportunity to partner with Loyola. Those same residents also recognized the need for a major grocery store in Govans, and the farmers’ market will have the added benefit of generating data that may be used to recruit a grocery store to the area.
“The market’s short-term goal is to provide our community with access to fresh, local produce, but we can’t ignore the big picture,” said Erin O’Keefe, ’03, director of the York Road Initiative. “Without a grocery store within reasonable walking distance, residents - including many older adults - and Loyola students are justified when they say they live in a ‘food desert’ in the Govans community, and that has to change.”
After Loyola surveyed more than 250 residents on market operating hours and days and types of goods sold, vendors from the Baltimore area, Cecil County, and Pennsylvania are scheduled to set up shop, offering fresh produce, dairy, meats, and other delicious, local foods. Craft vendors and community organizations will also attend.
The Govanstowne Farmers’ Market will be open from 3 – 7 p.m. July 20 and 27 and Aug. 3 and 10 in the parking lot of Loyola’s Transportation and Public Safety complex located at 5104 York Rd., Baltimore, MD 21212. More information about the vendors and a downloadable flyer to share with friends is available on the Govanstowne Famers’ Market website.
For more information or questions regarding this story, contact Media Relations Manager Nick Alexopulos at nalexopulos@loyola.edu or 410-617-5025.