I know, I know, by now you’ve heard enough reasons why you should be eating as locally  and seasonally as possible. There have been dozens of recent articles about farmers’ markets, including this very bright piece highlighting McGill’s very own. However, what about students on McGill’s Macdonald (Mac) campus? What are the options available to us West Island students when we want to eat locally?

Well if you can’t make it to the Saturday’s farmers’ market in Ste-Anne, here’s a better deal for you Mac students: our very own Mac Market.

Mac Market

Photo by Carolyn Chin

Found on the premises of McGill’s Macdonald campus, the Mac Market is open from July to November and features fresh fruits and vegetables exclusively produced at the horticultural center.

Mac Market

Photo by Carolyn Chin

For Mac students, the highlight of the week is the Friday basket.

Introduced 4 years ago by Mrs. Farial Karimian, this low priced $20 basket is filled to the brim with seasonal produce and other goodies.

“I had the idea to assemble a basket full of our fresh produce to offer to students at a discounted rate compared to what our usual loyal customers pay,” says Mrs. Karimian. Since then the Friday basket has grown in popularity, and by the following year, larger paper bags were needed to accommodate a larger quantity of produce.

In fact, Mrs. Karimian did not restrict herself to the Mac Market in her quest to support students; she also approached the Mac Dairy Farm to find out if they could contribute as well. Now students can often discover fresh eggs and dairy products, as well as organic bread in their harvest bags.

Mac Market

Photo by Carolyn Chin

The market has even extended their personalized student baskets to John Abbott College students on Tuesdays. Whereas for Mac regulars, students have the option to purchase a $75 card which allows them to save more on four baskets.

If you want to know how much you get in a basket and how long the contents will last you; one basket has kept me going for a week and a half! Plus you have all weekend to prep and cook the produce, ready for the week ahead.

Mac Market

Photo by Carolyn Chin

I already have my eyes on this amazing carrot top pesto that’s going to make the most of the beautiful baby carrots we got this week. Who knows what will be in the next basket? I’m already looking forward to next Friday!