Vendor Fair offers nutritious snacks for students, promotes healthy eating.

In a fast-paced college life, eating nutritious food may not be a high priority for students. For some, work or class can interfere with dining hall hours. Other students might find themselves grabbing snacks such as Oreos, Doritos, or a Redbull just to keep them going; however, as shown during the Vendor Fair on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 has been a year of food-related changes.

While some complain that the University of New Haven has minimal options for snacking, or no healthy snacks, UNH has been increasing partnerships with food quick companies. Last year, a pastry from Jazzman’s may have been the only source of food from an open location, however Jazzman’s now has yogurt, KIND granola bars, and a hummus and pretzels combo. Even the N-rgize café in the Beckerman Rec center has a plethora of protein and power bars lining its counters, along with veggie smoothies.

At 11 a.m., five companies began to set up their products outside of the marketplace, downstairs in Bartels. At the first table was Fresh Point, with baskets full of apples and facts about the many different types of apples. Originally, they were known as Fowler Produce Company, which had been passed down in a family for three generations. Now they are a country-wide produce, fruit, and dairy company. Their food comes from local farmers in states including Connecticut.

“We desire to bring the highest quality of product; local produce to our customers,” said Representative Bob Kelly. Fresh Point provides food from local farms from May to October, and regular produce throughout the year for UNH. Apples, oranges, peaches, pears, and cantaloupes are just some of their products as an approved vendor through Sodexo.

Next was Happy and Healthy Products, a company desiring “to give people more natural, and healthier, snacking options.” They are at UCONN as well, and were invited to come sell at UNH in January. Products include Be Happy and Healthy breads like banana and zucchini, along with brownies and cookies. There are also Be Happy and Healthy Snacks including, trail mix, nuts, fruits, and Rocky Mountain Popcorn. The company also sells fruit bars called Fruitful, which are either cream-based with coconut flavoring, yogurt-based with blueberry flavoring, or fruit-based with raspberry flavoring. Their products are halal, kosher and fine gold approved, and can be found in front of the cashier tables in Bartels during meal times.

Across from Happy Valley was the company Farmer’s Cow. They are responsible for providing various dairy products to UNH, such as eggs and milk, and ice cream for catering. Three years ago, Guida used to provide these things for UNH, but Farmer’s Cow is a local company, which prompted the switch. The ice cream flavors featured were Salted Caramel, Spiced Apple, Peanut Butter Cup, and Raspberry Boots.

Next was Mark Maillett with his company, Deep River Snacks. These all-natural, gluten free, kosher, non-GMO, and US-made, chips have been at UNH for five years. Their beginnings were in Old Lyme, Conn., and now they are found in seven countries worldwide! The snacks have even appeared on the Rachel Ray Show and in the Huffington Post. From Rosemary and Olive Oil, to Sweet Maui Onion, and Mesquite Barbeque, there is a plethora of flavors. Deep River snacks is even involved with several charities, such as the American Liver Foundation, Autism Speaks, and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.

Chris’s Cookies was right across from Deep River Snacks, providing a sweet contrast with four chewy cake-like dessert bars. Mississippi Mud, Carrot Cake, Raspberry Linzer, and Cinnamon Apple were just the few of thirteen flavours sampled. Representing the company was Kyle Birdsall, who said that although these products are used mainly in catering, they are hoping to expand to make them full-time at UNH.

UNH is striving to provide options for gluten free, kosher, vegetarian, and vegan diets. Students can expect more food changes like these in the near future, as Sodexo comes across companies to collaborate with.