Up North Farmers Markets Summer Highlights

June 10, 2016

’Tis the season for everything fresh, direct from our local farms to you! Here’s a guide highlighting some of the major farmers markets across northern Michigan — pick your pleasure:

ALDEN FARMERS MARKET

visitalden.com

Open: Thursdays, June–October Hours: 4pm–8pm Location: Tyler Street by the tennis park (behind the Alden Mill House) About: Whether you’re driving home from work or looking for somewhere pleasant to take an evening stroll, you can combine those activities with a stop by Alden’s market, which offers produce, salsa, jams, local crafts, and music.

BELLAIRE FARMERS MARKET AND YARD SALE

bellairechamber.com

Open: Fridays, May 27–Oct. 28 Hours: 8am–noon Location: ASI Community Center & Park, 102 Maple St. About: This outdoor market is known for its variety of fruits and vegetables plus crafts and other local specialties, a great choice whether you’re a chef or a home cook. Summer storm afoot? No problem. A protective roof shields shoppers in inclement weather.

BOYNE CITY FARMERS MARKET

boynecityfarmersmarket.org

Open: Wednesdays and Saturdays, May– October Hours: 8am–noon Location: Veteran's Memorial Park, 207 N. Lake St. About: Open year round (in winter, it’s held in the library’s Red Barn on Park Street), this market truly blooms when the weather warms, bringing local delicacies like morels, ramps and tomatoes to the table.

CADILLAC MADE IN MICHIGAN FARMERS MARKET

mifma.org

Open: Thursdays and Saturdays, June–October Hours: 8am–2pm Thursday; 9am–noon Saturday Location: In the Cadillac City Park About: Everything from produce to more unusual items like free-range meats, fresh fish, and artisan crafts can be found at this local market; baked goods are one of this particular market’s highlights.

CHARLEVOIX FARMERS MARKET

charlevoixmainstreet.org

Open: Thursdays, May–October Hours: 8am–1pm Location: East Park on Bridge Street at Round Lake About: Produce, home-canned items, flowers, and baked goods are regulars, and this market also offers a diverse schedule of weekly events, from wiener dog races to green energy workshops that include free lightbulbs.

EAST JORDAN GARDEN CLUB FARMERS MARKET

ejchamber.org

Open: Thursdays, May–October Hours: 9am–1pm Location: Sportsman’s Park off M-32 About: Turtle’s Kitchen, Knipe’s Orchard, and Arnott’s Honey were some of the favorites at last year’s East Jordan market; this year’s market will likely include many return vendors selling produce, eggs, soap, baked goods and more.

ELBERTA FARMERS MARKET

villageofelberta.com

Open: Thursdays, May 19–Oct. 13 Hours: 8am–12:30pm Location: Penfold Park, off M-22 About: This market’s been running for almost 15 years now, and you won’t find many craft vendors here because they’re busy making food the primary focus, from breads and maple syrup to fresh produce and mushrooms.

ELK RAPIDS FARMERS MARKET

facebook.com/elkrapidsfarmersmarket

Open: Fridays, June–October Hours: 8am–noon Location: Roadside at 305 US-31 About: Honey, maple syrup, nuts and gluten-free products are generally offered at this market in addition to their usual lineup of fresh local fruits, vegetables, and more.

EMPIRE FARMERS MARKET

www.eatleelanau.org

Open: Saturdays, June 18-September 10 Hours: 9am–1pm Location: Downtown Empire, next to the post office About: Lots of farm-fresh food is always on tap at the Empire market, which features loads of Leelanau farmers and everything from baked goods to corn on the cob.

FRANKFORT FRIENDLY FARMERS MARKET

Search “Frankfort Friendly Farmers” on Facebook

Open: Saturdays, May–October, 9am–2 pm Location: On the downtown waterfront About: This year-round market offers vegetables, fruits, meats, and more, with many farmer utilizing organic methods and non- GMO seeds; you can also pick up info on classes on soap-making and herb-crafting.

GAYLORD FARMERS MARKET

facebook.com/DowntownGaylordFarmers-Market

Open: Saturdays, May–fall Hours: 8am–2pm Location: The Pavilion on Court Avenue About: What better place than downtown Gaylord to snag all of your week’s produce, eggs, herbs, and other goodies? You can even indulge in some extra shopping or stop for lunch with this market’s convenient downtown location.

GLEN ARBOR FARMERS MARKET

eatleelanau.org

Open: Tuesdays, June 14–Sept. 6 Hours: 9am–1pm Location: 6394 Western Ave., behind the township hall About: A plethora of local farmers arrive weekly for Glen Arbor’s eclectic market, with vendors often including freshly caught fish, candies and clover honey, as well as fruits and vegetables.

GROW BENZIE

growbenzie.org

Open: Mondays, June 6–Oct. 3 Hours: 3pm–7pm Location: 5885 Frankfort Highway (M- 115), in Benzonia About: Grow Benzie’s version of a farm market expands upon the usual; they like to make their market a “destination experience,” with live music, a picnic area and their own Grill Benzie food truck.

HARBOR SPRINGS

hsfarmersmarket.weebly.com and find them on Facebook

Open: Wednesdays and Saturdays, June 18–Labor Day; Saturdays-only until mid- October Hours: 9am–1pm Location: Intersection of Main and State streets, downtown About: Local musicians performing live set the ambiance for this small-town gourmet market, with offerings from the likes of Pond Hill Farm, Suzie’s Pies, and Mike’s Mustard, plus on-site visual artists and knife-sharpening from Shopcraft.

INTERLOCHEN FARMERS MARKET

facebook.com/InterlochenFarmersMarket

Open: Sundays, May 3–Oct. 25, 9am–2pm Location: 2112 M-137, in the parking lot behind Ric's Food Center About: Food, artisan crafts, concessions, and more fill this market every weekend, including oodles of offerings from Hearth and Harvest farm, which offers eggs from its chickens, honey from its bees, and goat’s milk soap.

KINGSLEY MARKET

mifma.org

Open: Fridays, June–September Hours: 3pm–7pm Location: 205 South Bronson Ave. About: Several vendors at this market offer food hot off the grill, great to fuel you up for market shopping. You’ll also find lots of fresh farm goods, plus baked treats, coffee, and handmade jewelry.

LAKE LEELANAU FARMERS MARKET

www.eatleelanau.org

Open: Sundays, June 12–September 4 Hours: 9am-1pm Location: In the parking lot of Pedaling Beans, on M-204 About: Increased hoop house use in the region means you’ll be seeing some summer produce even earlier than usual at this great market; other highlights include jams and infused vinegars.

LELAND FARMERS MARKET

www.eatleelanau.org

Open: Thursdays, June 16–Sept. 1 Hours: 9am–1pm Location: Leland School parking lot, 200 N. Grand Ave. About: There’s plenty to choose from at the Leland market, from local eggs and honey to fragrant soaps. This market also usually includes flower vendors, so you can add a little decoration to your newly purchased farmfresh meal.

MANCELONA FARMERS MARKET

mancelonafarmersmarket.weebly.com

Open: Thursdays, May 19–fall Hours: 3pm–7pm Location: Village of Mancelona Pavilion About: Perennial plants, vegetable plants, and homemade jams and jellies are available at this market, plus vegetables, candies, crafts, eggs and fresh cinnamon rolls that can’t be missed.

NORTHPORT FARMERS MARKET

www.eatleelanau.org

Open: Fridays, June 3–Sept. 9 Hours: 8am–1pm Location: At the Northport Depot next to the village marina About: With a list of friendly vendors offering everything from beans and cabbage to zucchini, your entire alphabet’s worth of fresh veggies is covered, as are fun add-ons like goat cheese and jams.

PETOSKEY DOWNTOWN

www.facebook.com/PetoskeyFarmersMarket

Open: Fridays, June 17–fall Hours: 8:30am–1pm About: Whether it’s farmed, fished, or foraged, you’re likely to find it at Petoskey’s extensive farmers market, which is made even more fantastic thanks to Crooked Tree Arts Center’s coordinating artisan market held right nearby.

SUTTONS BAY FARMERS MARKET

www.eatleelanau.org

Open: Saturdays, May 7–Oct. 29 Hours: 9am–1pm Location: East of the intersection of M-22 and M-204 at Bayside Park About: If you’re looking to load up your kitchen with everything from veggies to jams and maple syrup, this is the place to go — there are plenty of salad fixings, plus fun add-ons like live plants and craft items.

TRAVERSE CITY – THE VILLAGE OUTDOOR FARMERS MARKET

facebook.com/villagefarmersmarket

Open: Mondays, May–October Hours: 12pm–4pm Location: On the piazza at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons About: The season starts at this market with starter plants like tomatoes and cucumbers, moves through summer with fresh produce, honey and cooking lessons, and winds up with squash and pantry staples to get you through the winter.

TRAVERSE CITY – SARA HARDY DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET

facebook.com/sarahardyfarmersmarket

Open: Saturdays and Wednesdays, May–October Hours: 7:30am–12pm Saturday; 8am–noon Wednesday Location: Lot B in downtown Traverse City, across from Clinch Park About: This market started as a grassroots effort and is now one of the top three largest markets in the state, with over 115 local farmers participating; expect a big crowd, plus veggies, meats, teas, soaps, flowers, garden goods, and more.