The Farmers Market Is Moving For Winter!
By Renee Penny, Kalkaska Farmers Market Host
On the heels of a successful Kalkaska Farmers Market season, the committee has decided to keep the momentum going. We will now have a short WINTER Kalkaska Farmers Market!
The 2021 Kalkaska Farmers Market season initially opened at the end of May inside the new Pavilion at Railroad Square in Downtown Kalkaska. The season began with plant starts for the veggie garden, baked goods, and various crafting talents with 18 vendors. We continued to grow throughout the season, often having too many vendors to fit inside the pavilion, and we spilled out onto the sidewalk and lawn space. At our peak in August we had 29 vendors at Market!
The Pavilion has been a huge blessing to the Kalkaska Farmers Market and allowed us to grow tremendously. Vendors (and shoppers) were very thankful for the security to avoid any rainy day closures this summer. It was always a stressful day if heavy rain and wind were in the forecast, but thankfully we didn't have to worry about that this summer! We were safe and sheltered inside the pavilion!
Our good weather trends are quickly coming to a close with the changing seasons though. Many folks have expressed interest in seeing our Market go longer into the year. And that opportunity is finally here. The Kalkaska Farmers Market has partnered with the Kaliseum to extend the Market into December.
The new Winter Farmers Market will be on the same day and time, Tuesday's from 2-6pm, inside the lobby of the Kaliseum. The winter market will run from November 9 to December 14. As of this week, 10 vendors have committed to continue on to the winter season, with a few more to join soon. There will be apples, squashes, microgreens, meats (Thanksgiving turkey pre-orders too!), breads, baked treats, and a variety of craft talents like t-shirt and screen printing services, wreaths, lotions and potions, jewelry, baskets, and art at Market. Hint - Many of the vendors will take orders for Christmas presents, you just have to ask!
In other news, the Market is now accepting various food assistance programs. Programs and coupons from WIC Project Fresh, Senior Fresh, and SNAP/EBT are now accepted at the market. Those interested in using SNAP benefits should see the Market Host table to run their card for the amount they want to spend. Shoppers will receive wooden tokens that can be spent at participating vendor booths.
Thank you for a successful summer season and we look forward to seeing you at the winter version of the Kalkaska Farmers Market, Tuesday's 2-6pm, November 9 to December 14 at the Kaliseum!
