The Wednesday farmers market has been a staple of campus since its inception. Whether you’re a certified foodie or just a hungry student between classes, the options at the market ensure that everybody who passes through will leave satisfied. And students aren’t the only ones benefiting — many of the market vendors have been selling at the farmers market for years and call UM their favorite spot.
Olivia Garcia, a junior at the University of Miami, said she has been going to the Wednesday farmers market since she was a first year.
“It is a little expensive, but I enjoy treating myself once a week,” said Garcia.
Garcia is among a throng of UM students, faculty and others who regularly visit the weekly campus market, which first opened on the UM Coral Gables campus in the fall of 2010.
The junior said her favorite dishes found at the market are the Korean stand’s hearty beef bulgogi and the Greek stand’s chicken gyro.
15 years after its start, the Wednesday farmer’s market, situated between the Richter Library and the Shalala Student Center, is as popular as ever. It features 25 different stands and tents providing unique, top-of-the-line dishes where customers can satisfy their cravings for almost any kind of cuisine.
Japanese dishes, acai bowls, burritos, pizzas and Indian food are all on the menu. If patrons are parched, vendors also offer fresh beverages like smoothies or lemonade at the ready.
Among the most popular vendors is Benny Fruits and Vegetables. Run by Benny and John Martin, they feature everything to do with fresh fruit — from açaí bowls to fresh smoothies. The Martins are from Honduras and share a passion for healthy food, and have been serving up fresh fruit at the market for five years.
UM’s decision to open a farmers market came in 2010 via an idea conceived by the UM Student Government and the UM Human Resources Department. Since its founding, the number of vendors has doubled, and it attracts about a thousand customers weekly.
UM sophomore Carson Brooke said she visits the market weekly because of the wide selection of food choices.
“I initially chose a typical poke bowl, but I have expanded my eating choices,” Brooke said. “The local vendors at Market Wednesday allowed me to discover Jamaican patties as well as fresh empanadas and Thai rolled ice cream, which I wouldn’t have found otherwise.”
The interactions between vendors and students at Market Wednesday represent more than mere transactions, because these two groups forge positive connections through the market. The market serves as an active interaction space for established and new customers alike, exploring new favorite treats and supporting family businesses.
Laura Montes, who works at her family’s baked goods business and market stand, said the farmer’s market at UM is her family’s favorite place to sell.
“My mother wished to spread our homemade products, so we began selling at tiny markets,” said Montes as she wrapped a freshly baked cinnamon roll. “Our favorite spot among all the markets proved to be this one.”
The different student groups at Market Wednesday include quick snack buyers and regular customers who visit weekly to order their favorite foods.
Another popular vendor is Barnyard Bagels, a student-run business providing fresh Northeast-style bagels and sandwiches. With UM’s huge population of students from the tri-state area, the stand has become immensely popular.
“On and off the stand, I’ve had multiple people come up to me and ask me if I’m one of the bagel guys,” said Alex O’Sullivan, a junior who helps run the stand. “We don’t just create bagels to sell food — we make them for people to enjoy. We call out orders by name. It’s all about making the experience more desirable every Wednesday to build a community.”
The market’s array of fabulous fresh foods benefits students and local businesses alike — students sample new foods and flavors while businesses gain exposure and new clientele. Whether you want to indulge in a weekly acai bowl or expand your palette by sampling the market’s array of international cuisines, the market is the perfect midweek pick-me-up.
words_juan laracuente, andrew schwartz & charles picciotto. photo_ethan dosa. design_maya armster & lizzie kristal.
This article was published in Distraction’s Spring 2025 print issue.
Follow our Social Media: