Spring semester promises to offer more than flowers as Associated Students Inc. (ASI) will reintroduce its farmers market on campus, Wed, Feb. 27 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

ASI interim executive director Marcus Rodriguez hopes to differentiate the event by calling it a “food fair” that aims to combine arts, crafts, music and food.

“New vendors will be announced soon, but what we can tell you is that our goal is to create an experience that goes beyond the current farmer’s market construct,” said Rodriguez.

With the help of University Auxiliary Services (UAS), the farmers market is able to take place this Spring. The farmers market did not occur last fall due to a “staff transition” as ASI searches for a new senior coordinator.

There is a campus need for healthy options, according to Antonio Hernandez, a first-year business student.

“It’s mostly fast food so it’s kind of hard to choose eating here every day,” said Hernandez. “I’m here from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. so I have to bring my own food or snack.”

With the cafeteria’s offerings including Carl’s Jr. and El Pollo Loco, campus eats are slowly changing with the introduction of the farmers market and new healthy restaurant Everytable.

“When you eat fast food, you tend to get lower energy when it comes to class, so having healthier options would boost up your attention span,” said Hernandez. “I’d like to see more fruits, vegetables and salads on campus–options other than burgers and junk food.”

Providing accessibility to healthy foods is a major goal of ASI, according to Rodriguez.

“We believe Cal State LA is a great setting to stage a farmer’s market, because it connects students to fresh, local produce,” said Rodriguez. “Plus, is serves a diverse community that might be at risk for poor dietary intake.”