This article was corrected to include accurate pricing/payment methods for food and beverages:

Last year more than 1000 people braved a steady downpour to celebrate local food and community at Ann Arbor’s first HomeGrown Festival. In spite of the weather, they enjoyed specially-prepared local cuisine, moved to a variety of soul-stirring music and learned about the many benefits of supporting locally- and sustainably-grown foods.

This year’s Festival will keep the weather at bay under cover of the Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market Pavilion, from 5-10 PM on Saturday, September 12.

With growing awareness and appreciation of local foods, Festival planners expect some 2000 to 3000 Farmers’ Market shoppers, local residents, and visitors to attend. The Festival will once again showcase food prepared by local chefs, using locally- grown products. Cooking demos, live music and other entertainment, information from non-profit organizations, and kids' activities will also return. New this year will be a Michigan beer and wine tasting venue, Made-In-Michigan vendors and a Festival Store.

"We're happy to be able to feature a lot more local products this year," said Shannon Brines, chair of this year's Festival. "Most people think of apples, cherries and blueberries when they think of Michigan. They don't realize how many different great products are made right here or how many local businesses are committed to supporting sustainable lifestyles. The festival will give them a chance to find out." Items will range from clothing made from organically-grown cotton to locally produced honey and locally roasted coffee. “We hope everyone will gain a new appreciation for the health, economic and environmental benefits of buying local.”

Admission to the Festival is free. There is a charge for tasting samples (dishes will be priced between $1 and $6 - cash only) and a variety of goods will be for sale by vendors.

Festival sponsors include People's Food Coop, Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tea Room, Ann Arbor Branch of the Woman's National Farm & Garden Association, Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP), Downtown Home and Garden, and Jackie Wright, realtor, Charles Reinhart Company.

There will also be some wonderful activities for children run by Matthaei Botanical Gardens, chef demos, a farmer panel, a Made in Michigan store, and a number of farmer and fiber producers. Music will be provided by Ann Arbor Dub Project, Chris Buhalis, First Flight and Billy King.

There is going to be a fabulous Michigan beer and wine tent - pouring more than 40 different Michigan-made libations from Almar Orchards, Arbor Brewing Co., Arcadia Ales, Atwater Block Brewery, B Nektar Meadery, Cherry Creek Old Schoolhouse Winery, Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, Lone Oak Vineyard Estate, Original Gravity Brewing Co., Pentamere Winery, and Sand Hill Crane Vineyards. Pricing will be $7 for three tasting tickets and a HomeGrown glass, and individual tasting tickets will also be available.

And, of course, the chef vendors are working with local farms to make some really fabulous food. This year's line-up includes: A Knife's Work, Arbor Brewing Co., Dr. Lu's Healing Cuisine, Grange Kitchen and Bar, Karen's Homemade Meals and Desserts, Pilar's Catering, Silvio's Pizza, Slows Bar B Q, Tranche de Vie Catering, and Zingerman's Deli.

The HomeGrown Festival is a Michigan non-profit - it's all volunteer organized and any and all proceeds go to support next year's Festival.

Founded in 2007, HomeGrown Festival was begun by a group of local residents who believe that buying food from local growers supports the local economy, contributes to a healthier lifestyle and helps reduce consumption of fuel and other petrochemicals.

“There is growing interest in small-scale, community-based farming where fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat and poultry are produced without the use of commercial fertilizers, feed and drugs,” explained Brines. “Continuing outbreaks of salmonella in large-scale shipments of produce have raised concerns about food that comes from anonymous sources. It’s nice to actually know who grows the spinach and carrots you eat!”

Brines cites evidence that industrialized food production and globalized distribution systems are significant contributors to the climate crisis and to widespread health problems. He points out that one way for people to take direct action in their daily lives to address these serious problems is through buying locally-grown, sustainably-produced food and products. Buying local food not only addresses environmental quality, but also increases food security and keeps dollars circulating in the local community by investing in the Michigan economy.

Higher fuel prices have raised awareness of the amount of energy that goes into growing, processing and transporting conventional food supplies. The impact is evident in rising food prices, and there is growing concern about the potential effect on the environment of such high levels of energy use. Jason Frenzel, Festival co- chair, points to the seemingly simple act of living in Michigan and eating strawberries in December or grapes in January. “It requires enormous expenditures of energy to transport strawberries from California or grapes from Chile." he said. “'Eating local’ sometime requires a different way of thinking, but it has its own special rewards,” said Brines, adding, “That’s what HomeGrown Festival celebrates.”

To learn more about the HomeGrown Festival, visit homegrownfestival.org or call 734-995-3663.