Farmers’ Market Grand Opening is May 3rd
By Renee Penny, Farmers Market Host
Spring is springing all around us and that means the Kalkaska Farmers' Market is getting ready for its Grand Opening for the 2022 season on Tuesday, May 3rd in the Railroad Square Pavilion. The Summer Market will occur weekly, every Tuesday from 2-6pm.
A previous winter article mentioned the transition of Market management from the Kalkaska DDA to the Kalkaska Conservation District (KCD). The KCD is happy to report that the day-to-day Market activities will look the same to the average shopper, but with a few new twists. Renee Penny, the Market Host, is excited to roll out a rotating schedule of activities aimed to boost the Market atmosphere with nearly 30 vendors signed up for the 2022 season.
Penny will be joined by Huron Pines AmeriCorp member, Seth Lanning, to showcase the robust Market schedule.
The first Market of each month will be highlighting KCD programs and other conservation organization activities. In May they are also planning to have Mother’s Day card coloring kits for kids (and grown-ups too!) that can be colored at the Market or taken home.
The second Tuesday of the month will feature ‘Music at the Market’. On May 10 the KCD will feature local artist Chuck Short for the Market duration. Music will take place at the north end of the Pavilion and be complete with picnic tables on the lawn nearby for all to enjoy.
The third Tuesday of each month will become Kid’s Day at the Market. Lanning is putting together a series of kids’ activities. This can include anything from a take-home packet of activities, in-person scavenger hunts at Railroad Square, or short craft projects at Market that highlight pollinators and local veggies.
The fourth Tuesday of each month will feature cooking demonstrations with local produce and items found at the Market. All demos will take place at the south end of the Pavilion near the kitchen and serving area. “I am especially excited about the cooking demonstrations. I have some easy and delicious recipes using vegetables such as beetroot and kale. Our goal is to introduce folks to some new ways to enjoy local crops. ” Lanning was sure to remind us that, of course, recipe cards will be available to take home.
KCD also plans to keep the market in various food assistance programs such as WIC Project Fresh program, Senior Market FRESH program coupons, and SNAP/eb-t cards. They also plan to add on Prescription for Health coupons available through the Health Department. To learn more about food assistance programs please visit the corresponding agency website, or look at a quick reference guide of what eligible products are at: https://bit.ly/3JSDa7O
For more information on the farmers market, contact Renee Penny at (231) 258-3307 or renee.penny@macd.org. More information can be found at https://kalkaskaconservation.org/farmers-market or on Facebook @kalkaskafarmmarket.