That\u2019s what the Open Air Market<\/a> at Northern Arizona University is for.<\/p>\n The Open Air Market, just east of the University Union on the pedestrian walkway, is part farmer\u2019s market, part craft show and part opportunity to raise awareness of sustainable living. The market, which is cosponsored by Union Activities<\/a> and Campus Dining<\/a>, is in its third year and runs every Wednesday for a month in the spring and fall. The market is open through April 26.<\/p>\n Sullivan, who is in charge of sustainability for Sodexo, which provides the food on campus, said the purpose of the Open Air Market is to promote sustainability. To fulfill that mission, all the produce comes from local farms, the baked goods (vegan and regular) come from Campus Dining, the vendors are from the community and the occasional live music showcases NAU students, faculty and staff.<\/p>\n Community shoppers can pay for their products in the usual ways and students can use Dining Dollars, which Sullivan says is the most popular form of payment.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have students who are interested in cooking who come back each week and tell us how they cooked the food they bought,\u201d Sullivan said.<\/p>\n The market, while it is small, has a little something for most people. In addition to the produce and baked goods\u2014a popular purchase among employees, Sullivan said, is a loaf of blueberry or banana bread that gets taken back to their offices to share\u2014there are vendors selling crafts, clothes and other artisan items.<\/p>\n Heather Chamorro is one of those regular vendors. She owns Pink Sky Creations and sells soaps, lotions and other unique and pretty beauty and hygiene products. After years of selling in the city\u2019s farmers market, she connected with Sullivan and started at the Open Air Market last year.<\/p>\n Business has gone well so far, she said, with bath bombs and lotion bars being her best-sellers. Everything is vegan and sourced in a way that\u2019s good for the environment, and students have responded.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s always a crowd coming in and just talking with us, having a conversation,\u201d she said. \u201cWe enjoy being around the students.\u201d<\/p>\n For people who don\u2019t want to shop, the Open Air Market has a few options. Although it\u2019s not a regular thing, Sullivan will occasionally invite local musicians or performance troupes; past markets have included performances by the NAU Capoeira Club<\/a> and Swing Jacks Dance Club<\/a>.<\/p>\n The market also is a good place for various clubs to advertise. At a recent market, first-year student Carlie Callaway<\/strong>, co-chair of Green Jacks<\/a>, handed out fliers and answered questions about the group\u2019s sustainability-oriented mission and its upcoming events for Earth Month, including Earth Jam<\/a> on April 21.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re out here raising awareness for that and recruiting more sustainable leaders,\u201d she said, adding the Open Air Market was a great way to talk to people who may not be part of the sustainability movement. \u201cPeople know who we are, but not everyone knows what we do.\u201d<\/p>\n The Open Air Market runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Union pedway by the Wedge Market. It is open April 12, April 19 and April 26, then it will reopen sometime in the fall. Contact Cat Sullivan<\/a> for more information or to participate in a future market.<\/p>\n![\"Student](\"http:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wordpresst\/uploads\/sites\/153\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/TraceyPhoto-298x300.jpg\")
<\/a>
A student shops at NAU’s Open Air Market.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n![\"Live](\"http:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wordpresst\/uploads\/sites\/153\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Resize-1-2283-1024x493.jpg\")
<\/a>