USF Promotes Local Food Growers During Earth Day Festivities

A farmer's market, eco-friendly arts and crafts and green business will highlight the annual Earth Day festivities at the University of South Florida.

The event will take place Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the USF Botanical Gardens.

Hosted by USF’s Patel College of Global Sustainability and the Office of Sustainability, this year’s Earth Day theme, “Fresh Food Revolution," is intended to promote local food growers, producers, distributors, educators and supporters.

Attracting thousands of visitors, the Earth Day festivities will feature local businesses with home and garden products; eco‐friendly arts and crafts; community groups; and government and nonprofit organizations.

Entertainment will include a farmer's market; an interactive drum circle; demonstrations; food and children’s activities - all aimed at helping Tampa Bay’s residents create a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

Covanta is encouraging all Tampa Bay area residents to bring in their old rechargeable batteries and cellphones to the Covanta booth for recycling. These devices must be disposed of differently than normal waste.

The USF Botanical Gardens are located one block north of the intersection off Fowler Avenue and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. Admission and parking are free, but organizers encourage the use of public transportation and bicycling as part of the Earth Day celebrations.

“Our commitment to sustainability is becoming more and more prominent as we grow as an institution,” said Kebreab Ghebremichael, interim director of the Office of Sustainability at USF. “Not only are we committed to sustainability research and education, but we greatly value our engagement with the community to promote sustainability in practice.”

“Today more than ever the Tampa community needs to embrace fresh food and the principals of living healthier for a healthy and sustainable planet," said Marcia Biggs, longtime Sierra Club member and co‐organizer of the event. "I encourage everyone to come out to this family-friendly event to meet local businesses that support earth-friendly practices and to learn about all the green and sustainable products and services available locally."

Applications for exhibitors and sponsors are available online. For more information, contact the organizers at 813-974‐8368 or EarthDay@usf.edu.

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Post word of it for free in the Seminole Heights Patch events calendar.

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