Michigan Fresh comes to a farmers market near you

Michigan State University Extension will be present in farmers markets around the state to give advice on selecting, storing, preserving, cooking and growing Michigan foods.

Michigan State University Extension will be present in 13 farmers markets across the state this summer to talk with consumers about how to select, store, preserve, cook and grow a variety of Michigan foods. MSU Extension’s Michigan Fresh materials will be featured at these markets. Over 80 Michigan Fresh 8.5 x 11” fact sheets are available and each include tips for selecting, storing, preserving and cooking foods found in Michigan farmers markets. The current set of fact sheets cover fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, transplants and eggs. Additional fact sheets are underdeveloped and will be released this summer. Michigan Fresh also has produced five recipe cards featuring Michigan blueberries, peaches, broccoli, sweet potatoes and apples. Be sure to check back each week in the market, as materials will change with the seasonal availability of foods in the market.

This project supports Michigan’s agricultural industry by encouraging consumers to purchase locally grown and produced foods. Consumers supporting local farmers and food producers also benefit by purchasing fresher and sometimes more unique foods. This practice supports the local economy. For more information about the benefits of purchasing locally produced food, view this article published by MSU Extension.

The following is a list of farmers markets and their schedules where Michigan Fresh materials will be available in the summer of 2015:

  • Cadillac Made in Michigan Farmers Market|
    Contact: Erin Lizotte, MSU Extension Educator
    Cadillac City Park in Downtown Cadillac, MI 49601
    Thursdays 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
  • Cadillac Area Farmers Market
    Contact: Erin Lizotte, MSU Extension Educator
    North of the Cadillac Public Library
    411 S Lake Street Cadillac, MI 49601
    Tuesdays and Fridays 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Jun 17 - Oct 31)
  • Detroit Eastern Market
    Contact: Maggie Kantola, MSU Extension Program Instructor
    1445 Adelaide Street Detroit, MI 48207
    Tuesdays: 9a.m. – 3 p.m., Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    Note: MSU Extension will be in a different location on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
  • Flint Farmers Market
    Contacts: Terry McLean, MSU Extension Educator
    300 E First Street Flint, MI  48502
    Tuesday and Thursdays 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    Note: Michigan Fresh materials are available every day in a wall display located in the market hall.
  • Grand Rapids Downtown Market
    Contacts: Kendra Wills and Garrett Ziegler, MSU Extension Educators
    435 Ionia Ave SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503
    Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on June 6, June 27, July 11, July 18, August 22
  • Hannahville Farm Market (Upper Peninsula)
    Contact: Stephanie Bruno, MSU Extension Program Instructor
    N1425 Hannahville Road B1 Wilson, MI 49896
    MSU Extension will be at the market on June 30 (opening day), July 14, July 21, August 4, August 11, September 1, September 15 and September 29.
  • Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market
    Contact: Mariel Borgman, MSU Extension Educator
    1204 Bank St, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
    Saturdays: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. First and Second Saturdays of the month  (May – October)
    6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Night markets on July 16, August 20, September 17 and October 15
    Notes: Special night market on July 9 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. at Kalamazoo Growlers Stadium will be held at: Homer Stryker Field, 251 Mills St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49001. In addition to distributing Michigan Fresh information, hands-on family-friendly activities will be offered to highlight Michigan Fresh foods.
  • Kalamazoo 100-Mile Market
    Contact: Mariel Borgman, MSU Extension Educator
    People’s Food Co-op Parking Lot 507 Harrison St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
    Fourth Wednesdays of the Month: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. (May-October)
    Note: In addition to distributing Michigan Fresh information, hands-on family-friendly activities will be offered to highlight Michigan Fresh foods.
  • Menominee County Farm and Food Exchange (Upper Peninsula)
    Contact: Stephanie Bruno, MSU Extension Program Instructor
    3937 10th Street Menominee, MI
    MSU Extension demonstrations on June 27, July 18 and July 25.
    Note: Michigan Fresh printed material will be available from the market manager all season long beginning June 27.
  • Muskegon Farmers Market
    Contacts: Kendra Wills, MSU Extension Educator and Brandi Stein, MSU Extension Summer Intern
    242 W Western Ave Muskegon, MI 49440
    Saturdays 10a.m.-12 p.m.
    Note: We will offer several activities at the Power of Produce station and in the Commercial Kitchen.
  • Novi Farmers Market
    Contact: Brenden Sinclair, MSU Extension Program Associate
    MSU Tollgate Farm, 28115 Meadowbrook Rd Novi, MI 48377
    Wednesdays: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. (June 17 – October 7)
  • Oakland County Market
    Contact: Robin Danto, MSU Extension Educator
    2350 Pontiac Lake Road Waterford, MI  48328
    7a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday (May – Mid October)
  • Downtown Saginaw Farmers Market
    MSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers coordinated by Waunita Pettiford
    507 S. Washington Avenue Saginaw, MI  48607
    Fridays: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (May 22-October 30)
    Note: Location of the MSU Extension Master Gardener tables will vary.

If you aren’t able to make it to one of these markets, you can find Michigan Fresh materials online. You can also follow Michigan Fresh on Facebook and Pinterest, where over 1,800 recipes are available featuring Michigan Fresh foods. 

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