Nancy and Frederic Bryant are business people. They brainstorm ideas for a product, then design it, develop it and sell it to a target audience. Only instead of perfectly pressed suits, they wear dirty jeans tattered with age. And instead of hassling customers with cheap marketing tactics, they're friendly and down to earth.
Maybe that's because the Bryants come from the town of Friendship, a small rural community in the middle of Alleghany County, NY, where they conduct the production portion of their business: growing fruits and vegetables, and turning fresh-picked berries into jams and jellies to be sold at the community farmers' markets in Buffalo.
"When something is locally grown it has better flavor and better vitamin content," Nancy said.
The Bryants drive an hour and a half in their rusty old blue van from their farm, Independence Hill, to Buffalo three times a week. They set up shop on UB's South Campus at the intersection of Main St. and Kenmore Ave. every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stationed across the street from Tops grocery store, the tables of fresh cucumbers and apples sit in cardboard boxes, competing with aisles of produce picked in California and beyond.
The North Campus market, which is located in Founders Plaza Wednesdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., is a fundraiser for graduate students from the philosophy department who need help with travel expenses for conferences. By making a free-will donation, the farmers support UB students, and the students, in turn, support the farmers.
"I prefer to help out the local farmers rather than what might be a bulk farm from Tops or Wegmans," said Marissa Bartels, a sophomore chemistry major. "I like the selection and the prices."
UB Wellness and Education Services handed out pamphlets at the South Campus market, educating the hungry on the benefits of eating local: enriching Buffalo's economy, reducing one's carbon footprint and, of course, the fresh taste of a juicy plum grown right down the road.
"It's a win-win-win situation," said Janice Cochran, nutritionist for Student Health and Wellness. "Putnam's doesn't sell squash. This is bringing the whole food to the students for those that want fresh produce."
For anyone who's ever cringed at the thought of what goes on behind a restaurant's kitchen doors, it's a comfort to know where fruits and vegetables come from and talk to the farmer who grew them.
"I think it's cool because I don't have a car," said Doug Roth, a sophomore psychology major. "I had a question and I got to talk to the person that made it instead of a guy who stocks shelves."
Students who decide to stick around long enough might get one of Frederic's favorite habanero peppers and listen to his stories about life in the country. He'll warn the listener never to talk when eating the second hottest pepper in the world, it will only make things worse.
"The country gives you a sense of independence," Frederic said. "In the city, you have to be dependent."
The farmer had to learn the value of independence after a severe stroke 10 years ago that left him unable to talk or walk. Instead of physical therapy, Nancy had him accompany her at the Farmers' Markets where she sold her homemade jams, jellies and mustards. Working with customers helped Frederic regain his strength and skills, and today he can walk up to a customer and make a sale with ease.
Due to its success and popularity among students, the North Campus Farmers' Market has been rumored to be moving into the Student Union after its scheduled end date in October. On South Campus, however, where the produce tables are less popular, the market will end for the season on October 13, returning in the spring.
Frederic explained that he and his wife aren't worried about the South Campus customer scarcity; the market there is only in its first year, after all. As he described the best way to cook an acorn squash to a curious student, he revealed his business-savvy and the simplest way to attract a customer: geniality.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
