Whether you’re school is starting up again this week or next, whether you’re a first year student or going into your final year of college, there’s one thing that everyone will have to be concerned about – food.

The first choice (and probably easiest) for college students to take care of their need to eat is the meal plan provided by your school.

You don’t have to worry about making your own food, shopping for that food or even cleaning your dishes when you’re done. You’re usually given a wide selection to choose from and you’re guaranteed to leave full.

Having said all of that, is a meal plan really your best choice when it comes to being healthy?

While not all schools are the same, the majority of them serve food that’s loaded with calories and can help you with packing on that “freshman 15.” While some choices can be healthy, your school’s cafeteria is going to feed you what’s easy for them to make quickly and in bulk.

The other option you have if you’re living away from home is grocery shopping. Going for the first time can be a little overwhelming (I’m not going to lie, it was for me!), but it’s actually really easy.

Grocery stores are the obvious place to go to for getting what you need, but when it comes to fruits, veggies and some other products, there’s also the option of buying local.

Reading Terminal Market is a gold mine when it comes to food; although it’s busy, it has a lot to offer. You can even eat there if all of your shopping works up an appetite.

Farm to City is a small business based in Center City that brings farmers’ markets to all parts of the city. Whether you’re in University City, South Philly or Center City, there’s something going on everywhere practically every day of the week. Visit the website for a full list of location and times.

Even some of the city’s colleges have been following the trend and bringing farmers’ markets to their campuses; Suburban Square’s indoor farmers’ market is a stones-throw away from the Haverford campus.

Obviously, purchasing your own food isn’t going to be quite as easy as getting yourself a meal plan, but keeping yourself healthy and having the opportunity to buy local food and support local farms can do a lot of good.

For more information on farmers’ markets in and surrounding Philadelphia, visit Buy Fresh, Buy Local and Local Philly Food.

You might be surprised with what you can find.