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- A painted cow statue at the Farmers Market located in Depot Town, Ypsilanti.
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- The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is located next to the Kerrytown shops in downtown Ann Arbor.
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- Succulents for purchase at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market.
by Camille Lilley
Staff Writer
With the change of seasons, farmers markets across the state are opening up with colorful, organic fruit, vegetables and flowers.
The Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area has a variety of markets to visit. In Ann Arbor, the city-run market is located on Detroit Street in the Kerrytown neighborhood. In Ypsilanti, the Growing Hope Center manages the market in Depot Town and offers plenty of produce to choose from.
For college students who may often turn to the convenience of fast food, the arrival of early fresh food offers a chance to shift to healthy fare.
In fact, if you visit a farmers market you may find a new generation of customers and vendors.
“…The market demographic is becoming younger as America tries to get healthy,” said Stephanie Willette, manager of Ann Arbor Farmers Market. “Seasonal fresh greens are becoming more popular with millennials.
“Ann Arbor is seeing younger farmers and artisans come to markets because of how inexpensive produce is,” Willette said.
The Ann Arbor market is open year-round on Saturdays; and on Saturdays and Wednesdays May through December.
Other local markets are run by a nonprofit that works to educate the community on how to grow and use organic produce, the Growing Hope Center, headquartered on West Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti.
Growing Hope runs the summer market in Depot Town on Saturdays May through October. It also hosts a Tuesday market at 16 S. Washington St.
Growing Hope cultivates produce which it donates to shelters and schools, and sells out of a mobile farm stand. During the late winter and early spring months, Growing Hope starts growing inside so when spring comes, there is produce ready to sell and give away.
Students and volunteers from all walks of life come to Growing Hope to garden and learn how to grow organic produce. When this produce is ready, Growing Hope provides information on storing and preparing produce. (To volunteer or find out more information on Growing Hope Center, visit www.growinghope.net.)
No waiting for the weather
Seasonal greens are extending the life of summer-only veggies, and farms are becoming more winter friendly as greenhouses and indoor growing operations become more popular. These trends allow farmers and gardeners more time throughout the year to grow their crops and help communities continue to have farmers markets open regardless of the season.
According to the Department of Agriculture, produce from markets lasts longer due to shortened travel distances. Produce from local vendors has a longer shelf life because its travels hours rather than days.
“If you don’t plan on eating veggies right away, try to freeze or pickle them,” said Cynthia Ernst who owns and runs Hickory Grove Farms in Howell. “Fruits can even be frozen or pickled if done correctly.”
Hoop houses at nearby St. Joseph Mercy Hospital illustrate both the link between health and food, and the ability to grow some crops nearly year round.
Community hub
The Ann Arbor market hosts over 100 vendors who offer produce, native Great Lakes plants, homemade baked goods and products like honey and maple syrup.
Not only does the market sell produce, it also hosts events such as Flower Day, an all-day flower and plant event with food trucks, live music and backyard beekeeping tips, held Sunday, May 27, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There are “Guest Chef” cooking demos every third Wednesday from May to December, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ann Arbor chefs hold cooking demonstrations with seasonal produce from local market vendors.
Such events let vendors meet customers and spread their names across the community with hopes of gaining a larger and more diverse customer base.
Market manager Willette encourages young parents to try the Ann Arbor Farmers Market’s kid-friendly activities like planting flower pots and painting projects.
To find a list of events or local vendors visit Ann Arbor Farmers Market page at the City of Ann Arbor’s website.
There are markets additional seasonal markets at Ann Arbor’s Cobblestone Farm, on the city’s west side, in Dixboro, Pittsfield Township and in Dexter, Chelsea, Saline, Milan and many other communities.
Find farmers markets near you: Michigan Farmers Market Association