UDC News

June 14, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UDC Farmers' Market Grand Opening Weekend Celebration

UDC Farmers' Market launches its third season offering fresh food and fresh ideas to District residents.

Washington, DC - The University of the District of Columbia's (UDC) Farmers' Market kicks off its third season with a Grand Opening Celebration featuring a wonderful selection of quality, fresh produce, as well as VIP guests, neighbors, live entertainment and more. The event will take place on Saturday, June 18, 2011, at 10:00 am, in front of UDC's Van Ness Campus on Connecticut Avenue, N.W. in Washington, D.C. The UDC Farmers' Market is open every Saturday from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm, now through November 12, 2011.

The Grand Opening event will feature VIP guests including Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, DC Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh, and representatives from the White house and the US Department of Agriculture. Official University greetings will be extended by Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Graeme Baxter and Dean of UDC's College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES), Dr. Gloria Wyche-Moore.

Market customers will enjoy live performances by noted local acoustic guitarist John G. Lewis. Mr. Lewis will perform music covering the genres of jazz, bossa nova, reggae and R&B. The DC Accidentals will also perform its unique a ccapella blend of pop and rock.

Prize winning Chef Tyrome Henson, also known as "Chef T" will conduct food demonstrations, as he prepares culinary delights using produce available from market farmers. Consumers will be able to see, taste and learn about healthy and nutritious food selections.

In the midst of a growing concern regarding access to fresh and healthy food choices, the city's public university and America's urban land-grant institution has established a market to connect farmers with residents in the urban environment. Working in partnership with MAGCC, Mid-Atlantic Growers and Consumers Cooperative, UDC presents a broad selection of fresh food, local barbeque, artisans and live performances to cultivate a healthier, more connected community.

The UDC Farmers' Market is an initiative of UDC's College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences, which provides "a sustainable bridge from college to the world." Consistent with the university's mission as a land-grant institution, CAUSES integrates education, research and community service or "outreach."

The UDC Farmers' Market is open to the public, all stakeholders who are interested in access to fresh and healthy food selections in the urban environment.
For more information regarding UDC's Farmers' Market, please contact Dr. Calvin Lewis at clewis@udc.edu or 202.274.7163.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action institution. The University prohibits discrimination or harassment against any person on the basis of the actual or perceived actual race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, personal appearance, genetic information, familial status, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business, or status as a covered veteran, as provided for and to the extent required by District and Federal statutes and regulations. This policy covers all programs, services policies, and procedures of the University, including admission to educational programs and employment. The University emphasizes the recruitment of minorities, women, disabled individuals, disabled veterans, Vietnam era veterans, and other eligible veterans. For further information regarding this policy statement or to file a complaint of discrimination or harassment please contact UDC's Office of Human Resources at 202-274-5020.

As the only urban land-grant institution in the United States, the University of the District of Columbia (www.udc.edu) supports a broad mission of education, research and community service across all member colleges and schools, which include the Community College of the District of Columbia, the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences, the College Arts & Sciences, the School of Business and Public Administration, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the David A. Clarke School of Law.

Contact: Mary N. Elliott, melliott@udc.edu, 202.274.7148