Last Saturday, Feb. 6, Orange Home Grown, Chapman’s University Program Board, and the local farmers and artisans joined forces to host a Chapman Day at the farmer’s market.  Chapman students, faculty and staff alike flocked to the market to take part in discounts offered by participating vendors.

The folks at Orange Home Grown were happy to offer this opportunity to Chapman thanks to the constructive relationship between the organization and Chapman University over the past 10 years.  “This partnership is one of the greatest gifts that the university could have given to us,” said Megan Penn, executive director of Orange Home Grown.  Because of the land and funds that the university lends Orange Home Grown, they are able to run numerous community events, including the Farmer’s Market, that are free to neighbors, Chapman students, and any other visitors.  “Chapman has really made a huge impact on our organization and we truly cannot thank them enough for it,” said Penn.

Chapman students at Farmer's Market

Grace Larey (’23), the University Program Board’s off-campus trips director who helped to facilitate this event said, “With in-person events few and far between due to the pandemic, it was fun to be able to offer an opportunity where students could safely gather thanks to the mask and social distancing guidelines enforced by Orange Home Grown volunteers.” Larey commented that she has attended the farmer’s market in the past, but had never before seen so many students strolling around and making purchases. She said, “My roommates and I loved trying new products and chatting with the local farmers and artisans.  We look forward to revisiting our favorites in the weeks to come!”

2021 marks the 10-year anniversary of the partnership between Orange Home Grown and Chapman University, so stay tuned for anniversary celebrations to come later this year.  To learn more about Orange Home Grown and their community offerings, visit orangehomegrown.org.