It is an action-movie cliche that all chase scenes must crash through an open-air market, spilling exotic fruits everywhere. While these markets are typically depicted in foreign lands, students should be happy to know that Ann Arbor has its own farmers' market located on Detroit Street in Kerrytown. Though notably lacking in careening automobiles, the Ann Arbor Farmer's Market is a veritable cornucopia of local produce. Students should make it a priority to make this local produce a part of their diet.

Open every Wednesday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the market has a life and atmosphere much more vibrant than the stifling confines of Meijer's and Kroger. Instead of traffic and parking lots, the farmer's market is an easy walk from most student housing. Early Wednesday mornings are quiet and students will find ample time to chat with local farmers about their produce and perhaps find out novel ways of preparing the food. Saturdays capture a stress-free bustle where people enjoy food and community.

Students might be amazed by the variety of food produced throughout the Huron River Valley. Not limited to just apples and potatoes, adventurous shoppers can try to find everything from bok choy, rhubarb and bitter melon to Anaheim peppers, clover honey and multi-hued squashes.

In addition to an amazing variety, the farmer's market also offers just-picked, farm-fresh produce that is noticeably tastier than the waxed and preserved produce shipped from California and Florida that people might find elsewhere. Students on a tight budget will find prices far cheaper than at the supermarket, as the food is sold directly by producers without paying for advertising or cross-country shipping.

Local agriculture is a vital component of community and support becomes increasingly important as small farms disappear to factory farms and suburban sprawl. Small farms are typically more sustainable, as they involve diverse crops as opposed to giant monocultures susceptible to disease. Smaller farms employ more crop rotation and soil erosion controls that limit pollution and depletion of soils. Many of the farmers at the market practice organic farming techniques that do not rely on chemicals or artificial fertilizers.

Farmers' markets build a strong sense of community linking students to Ann Arbor's permanent residents and can serve as tangible manifestations of the land and values that Ann Arbor's proposed greenbelt will preserve. If approved by voters, the Greenbelt will establish a ring around Ann Arbor of undeveloped rural land, protecting farmers and halting sprawl.

As harvest time reaches its peak, the market will be overflowing with fruits and vegetables. Students should join in a celebration of local produce and the labors that went into their growth. For a fresh, cheap, sensible and sustainable alternative to supermarkets, students should look no further than the Ann Arbor Farmer's Market.