Students sampled beet radish spring salad and other organic dishes at the UF Student Agricultural Gardens on Friday.
At the first Fresh off the Farm event, about 300 students stopped by to plant corn, check out food preparation demonstrations put on by professional chefs and enjoy live music.
Patrick Lynch, the president of Gator Gardening Club, said the event invited students to learn more about local food in a festival setting.
“We want to highlight local veggies, local music and local chefs,” the 20-year-old UF biology sophomore said. “Veggies from our garden are fed to our eventgoers.”
Near a stage, attendees could play “vegetable Twister,” during which they would put a hand on pictures of red apples or green lettuce as a chef demonstrated how to prepare organic meals.
Friends Alexis Brown and Grace Chun attended the festival.
Chun, 20, wore a foam hat that was shaped like a Gator. The UF psychology sophomore said she enjoyed the live music.
“It’s just a really great atmosphere,” she said, adding that the cool weather made the event enjoyable.
Brown, 20, said she thought the festival was an innovative way to teach students how to eat healthy in Gainesville.
“I liked that we were encouraged to eat fresh foods,” the UF sociology sophomore said. “I’m not a vegetarian, and I really liked eating it.”
@MelissaGomez004
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