Manistique Farmers’ Market – May 15, 2013

Opening Day of the Manistique Farmers’ Market was full of people (282 shoppers – an opening day record), fresh eggs, yummy baked goods, UP maple syrup, honey, vegetable plants, and early spring flowers. While the below-freezing temps and snow over Mother’s Day weekend, prevented produce we had expected at the Market this week, there was still plenty of good things to enjoy, including celebrating the Road Maps to Health Prize from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, kid-size kites, and a tasty picnic lunch.

Enjoy the pictures from the opening Market, and remember that each of the next 17 weeks we’ll be back at Little Bear West Arena, and each Market will bring new and tasty local produce, baked goods, and more! Next week a new vendor will be joining us with Sheep’s wool and Alpaca fleece yarns.

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Manistique Farmers’ Market ~ 2013 Season

Manistique Farmers’ Market Opens May 15, 2013

Community to Celebrate Robert Wood Johnson Foundation – Road Maps to Health Prize

Wednesday, May 15^th will mark the beginning of the third full season for the Manistique Farmers’ Market. The Market will open with the ringing of the bell at 4pm and remain open until 6pm. Eighteen Farmers’ Markets are planned for 2013, every Wednesday May 15^th – September 11^th, 4-6pm, at Little Bear West Arena.

For the early season Markets, shoppers will be able to find a variety of greens (including kale, spinach, and lettuce), radishes, onions, garlic, eggs, maple syrup, honey, a variety of baked goods and jams, and new this year will be a local farmer featuring sheep wool and alpaca fleece fibers.

In conjunction with the start of the Farmers’ Market, the City of Manistique will also be holding a celebration to honor the work of the community that led to Manistique winning an inaugural Road Maps to Health Prize from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Events planned for the celebration event include: giveaway of 300 kites (just the right size for younger children), a light picnic lunch, other prize giveaways, representatives from Governor Snyder’s office and Senator Tom Casperson’s office, and more. Also, Jay Fisher of Radio Results Network will be broadcasting live from the Farmers’ Market and Community Celebration.

Schedule for May 15, 2013 (all events take place at Little Bear West Arena – outside if it’s nice and inside if the weather is inclement):

3pm – Farmers begin setting up for the Market
4pm – The Manistique Farmers’ Market opens for the 2013 season
4pm-5pm: kite giveaway and picnic lunches
5pm: Presentations and giveaways
6pm: The Manistique Farmers’ Market closes for the day.

For more information or updates on the Farmers’ Market or the Community Celebration, please check back here at ManistiqueFarmersMarket.com or follow us Facebook or Twitter.

Farmer Opportunity – Manistique Farmers’ Market

71 37 16 days now until the 2013 opening of the wildly successful Manistique Farmers’ Market! We have 3 spaces open for Michigan Farmers. We are a local food and farm market only. The Market will be open Wednesdays, 4-6pm May 15th through September 11th. The vendor fee for 10-18 markets is $50; for 1-9 markets the fee is $25. (We would also like to find a Great Lakes fish vendor – we have had many requests for this).

Here’s what you get:

Average 230 shoppers per week (in July and August the average is about 290-300 per week)
The shoppers spend an average of $14/person while at the Market.
10×10 canopy and 3 tables (all set up for you by our Market Master … if you can help out, all the better)
Dry-erase A-frame signage to promote your farm and your products
Weekly radio and newspaper advertising
Social media marketing on Facebook and Twitter
WIC and Senior Project FRESH coupons accepted

Here’s what we expect:

An email or phone call by Friday of each week to let us know what you will be bringing to the Market that week (we can’t promote if we don’t know)
That you arrive at the Market by 3pm (held in the parking area of Little Bear West Arena in Manistique – M94)
That you remain at the Market until 6pm closing.
That you are selling Michigan produce grown and/or harvested by you.

If you’re interested, leave a comment on this post or use the “Contact Us” tab in the top right corner of this page.

Think Spring!

Manistique Hoop House Training – February 13, 2013

Manistique Area Schools will be holding a Hoop House Training for Farmers, Gardeners, and Schools on Wednesday February 13th at the High School Auditorium. The portion of the training specific for farmers/gardeners will be from 9:30-11am; Schools will want to attend the entire session from 9:30a – 12:30p. There is no fee to attend, but you do need to register for this program. See the Hoop House Flyer for all the details.