The farmers’ market concept has been added to neighborhood activities around the Anschutz Medical Campus. It's open for business each Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in Generals’ Park at Colfax and Quentin.
CU's interdisciplinary student group BRANCH (Bridging Research and Aurora Neighborhoods for Community Health) worked to bring the market to the area. Jessie Robinson, BRANCH faculty advisor, says, "Although it didn't end up in the original planned area ON campus, the efforts of this group of dedicated and hard-working students was realized. BRANCH conducted the necessary research to have the Metro Denver Farmers’ Market organization consider our campus as a location. When the Regents rejected the proposed location, BRANCH worked to elicit the necessary support to secure a new location."
In addition, BRANCH is hosting and staffing the health screening event with SNPhA July 19. BRANCH also invited Children's Hospital Colorado to set up a booth for education in the community.
According to Robinson, there's still room for other campus groups to participate in this market. "This campus has a tremendous amount of educational resources that could make a positive impact on our neighbors." Interested parties should contact Erin Martinez or Matt Lebsack at BRANCH@branch4health.org.
Last week, on opening day, July 12, CU staff, faculty, students from the campus stopped by to shop for fresh fruits, veggies, baked goods and other items.
At market day -- July 19 -- there will be free health screenings presented as a partnership between BRANCH and SNaPha which is a student group within the CU School of Pharmacy. Also, starting tomorrow, Children’s Hospital Colorado will have a booth each week offering information regarding health topics such as healthy eating and portion sizes.
Organizers say they plan to set up into October.
Remember, the location is at Colfax and Quentin – not the University-managed Parade Grounds at 17th and Racine.