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The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and
spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."
Plant and soil science graduate student Mark Rundle chills in a cowboy hat under a shady tree on campus with a big sign reading "SIU grown peaches."
He's got a van full of crates containing SIU-grown fresh fruit and vegetables, and they're all very reasonably priced.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the summer, he sells SIU's produce to students, faculty and other SIU employees such as workers from the grounds and physical plants, in addition to townspeople.
Rundle said that they get pretty good business. He said that when the fall semester starts, they will see more sales.
"It's a good way to get rid of some of the excess produce that we have from research," he said. "I have quite a few people stop by."
Rundle, who is from West Frankfort, became involved when his adviser suggested that he take on this job. This is his second year helping out.
"We're not doing it for the profit," he said, which is obvious by the low pricing.
Rundle said that it's good experience in addition to growing and picking the produce at SIU.
With the money that they do make, the sales fund the purchase of things like fertilizer, seeds and baskets.
Patti Cludray, an office systems specialist in the Department of Forestry at SIU, takes advantage of the opportunity to purchase fruits and vegetables from the school when they are available.
"I come out here every year at least a couple of times while they're out," she said. "I really look forward to it, especially the peaches. They've got some really good produce.
"I look forward to these guys sitting out here. You can always tell it's summer! We think it's a good program, and we want to support our Aggies."
The SIU-grown produce will be available through November and is located next to the Agriculture parking lot across from Thompson Point.
Available are tomatoes, hot peppers, bell peppers, cantaloupe, watermelon, broccoli, cabbage, garlic, peaches, apples, plums, grapes, cider, sweet potatoes and, in the fall, pumpkins.
