The Auburn Foods brand launched Friday morning with a local farmer’s market and accompanying band on the Green Space.
Local vendors and farmers set up tables and stations equipped with food samples and information about the local food they contributed and its impact on campus.
Katie Peters, Tiger Dining marketing intern, was responsible for putting on the event and said students were encouraged to interact with vendors and meet the people making the food they eat on campus every day.
“We wanted to give students the opportunity to meet those people who are involved directly in their food," Peters said.
Peters said students feel comfortable eating the food on campus when they learn more about it.
"They are able to learn more about where their food comes from and we think that is a valuable thing,” Peters said. “We also want the students to know that when they eat these foods they are directly supporting Auburn.”
Each of Auburn Foods' partners are affiliated with the University as alumni or departments on campus. Some of these include the Office of Sustainability, T.Lish Dressings, Marinades and Sauces, Wickles Pickles, FireTruck Bar-B-Que and more.
Auburn Foods is looking to continue to grow and expand their local partnerships, Peters said.
“We think supporting the local community is amazing and you know it is fresher, more nutrient-dense food,” Peters said. “We want to provide our students with quality foods while also supporting the Auburn community.”
Auburn Foods can be found throughout campus at almost all the dinging locations.
Signs have been placed near the particular items to indicate which ones are Auburn Foods.
Some of these include McEwan and Son’s grits, SGA treasurer Frank McEwen’s father’s company, sold at Plains 2 Plate, and Food Science’s yogurt-covered pretzels and trail mixes found at the C-stores.
“I just want students to know when they see the Auburn Foods logo that they are supporting the Auburn Family,” Peters said.
Auburn Foods is in the process of launching their website where students can visit to find out exactly where everything is from and where to find it on campus.
The planning for the event took approximately four months including submitting proposals, contacting the vendors and farmers, getting the necessary licenses and permits and coordinating the event.
“It’s been a wonderful process. It’s been a wonderful learning curve for me,” Peters said. “From what I can tell students are really excited and satisfied and we really do hope to do this annually if not more.”
Auburn Foods has completed its official launch and is continuing to meet their main goal of helping students make the connection between farmer and food.
Their catch phrase is "Keep your friends close and your food closer."
Correction: A previous version of this article suggested O'Town ice cream was an Auburn Foods partner. We regret the error.
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