Kalkaska Farmers’ Market Season Countdown to May 3rd
By Renee Penny, Farmers’ Market Host
April showers bring May Farmers' Markets?
It's not the traditional saying, but it's true!
While waiting for Spring to arrive, the Kalkaska Farmers' Market has been working on some exciting things behind the scenes to get ready for the 2022 season opening day Tuesday, May 3rd in the Railroad Square Pavilion.
The 2022 season and future markets are now under new management by the Kalkaska Conservation District (KCD). The KCD is working to set up a rotating variety of vendors, activities, live music and entertainment that will also include district program highlights, take home activities and projects, kids activities, and cooking demonstrations.
KCD also plans to continue market participation in various food assistance programs. As of now the market will be able to accept WIC Project Fresh Program and Senior Market FRESH Program coupons for payment of locally grown, fresh, unprepared fruits and vegetables such as, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, squash, peaches, apples, and tomatoes. SNAP/eb-t cards will also be accepted at the market for any fresh food products.
As they ready details for the May opener the KCD is excited to continue the growth of a community asset. “I’m really looking forward to this new chapter for our market,” said Farmers Market Host and KCD Conservation Specialist Renee Penny.
“It’s amazing to see how much our community enjoys getting outside, following what’s in season, buying local products and interacting with friends, family and vendors,” she added.
The Kalkaska Downtown Development Authority (DDA) first established the Kalkaska Farmers Market in 2006 and helped establish a consistent market location and presence in downtown Kalkaska. For the last 2 years, the DDA partnered with the KCD to contract the day of market host responsibilities while the DDA maintained administrative duties. The arrangement worked well temporarily for the DDA and, especially while Penny learned what the role entailed.
At the end of the 2021 season conversations began to transfer ownership of the market in its entirety from the DDA to the KCD. Recently that transfer has been completed and the KCD now operates and manages all aspects of the farmers market in alignment with their mission to support quality conservation practices and local agriculture.
“It seemed like a natural transition point,” said Rochelle Nevedal, Kalkaska Farmers Market sub-committee chair and DDA board member.
Beyond the summer market plans, the KCD is looking to expand to a year-round market. At the close of the 2021 season, a short winter market was held at the Kaliseum with great success. A dozen or more vendors and many excited shoppers filled the halls of the Kaliseum every week. “It proved to us that a winter market is possible here and it helped to support several small farms and businesses,” explained Penny.
To find out more about food assistance programs by visiting the corresponding agency website, or view a quick reference guide of eligible market products at : https://bit.ly/3JSDa7O.
For more information about the Kalkaska Farmers Market, contact Renee Penny at (231) 258-3307 or renee.penny@macd.org.
Learn more and find the market vendor application packet by visiting https://kalkaskaconservation.org/farmers-market or on Facebook @kalkaskafarmmarket.
