Ann Arbor Farmers Market turns 90 on Saturday. C'mon down for cake, gelato and kids' events.
Starting at about 11 a.m., there will be a big birthday cake, along with gelato from Zingerman's Creamery. In the spirit of customer appreciation, market vendors will donate fruit and other toppings for the gelato.
From about 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. there will be a kids' booth for face painting and a scavenger hunt with a market theme.
The original Farmers Market was established in 1919 on Main Street, and moved to its present location in 1931. On a busy Saturday, the market attracts upwards of 11,000 visitors, said Molly Notarianni, market manager.
If you can't make it to the Saturday market, you have a second chance to get your goods on Wednesday. The market is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both Saturdays and Wednesdays from May though December. During the winter months (January through April), the market is open only on Saturdays, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Photos:
1. Rena Basch shops for green beans at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market.
2. It's high season for zucchini.
3. A shopper buys flowers at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market.
Julie Wiernik is on the Community Team at AnnArbor.com and blogs about the area's thriving locavore scene. She welcomes your comments and suggestions. Please email juliewiernik@annarbor.com or call 734.358.2809.
Comments
consumer
Sun, Aug 16, 2009 : 11:19 p.m.
for unwitting consumers the market is great! everyone gets it. however vendors and consumers are concerned with truth in what they purchase. this consumer just found this info last week from the michigan dept. of ag. Island Gardens is not licensed as a grower. They are licensed as a Nursery Plant Market (NPM001057) expiring 10/31/2009. Thank you for your inquiry. Gracia J&T is not licensed as a grower. They have licensed as a Nursery Plant Market. (NPM010247 and NPM010249) Both licenses expiring 10/31/2009. Thank you for your inquiry. don't expect management to tell you as a consumer this is a producer only market. what gives jayne miller? why are you giving access to these types of businesses? "producers" lol
Laura Meisler
Fri, Aug 7, 2009 : 6:36 a.m.
Also, look for information about the upcoming HomeGrown Festival, which celebrates local food, farms and community, and will take place at the Farmers Market Saturday September 12! [The famous Shannon Brines will be there;)] http://www.homegrownfestival.org/
E. Manuel Goldstein
Thu, Aug 6, 2009 : 2:11 p.m.
To answer Zelda's question: You can find a copy of proposed Baked Goods Rules posted on the website www.arbormarketwatch.blogspot.com
susan bolls
Thu, Aug 6, 2009 : 11:30 a.m.
I have wonderful memories of the market. I was born and raised in Ann Arbor and remember my mother getting there before 7:00 a.m. to meet her egg lady; all the flowers she brought home; the fresh chickens during WW2 that had to be drawn and the pinfeathers singed off. Then all the landscaping that my husband and I bought for our new home; and the time that my son gave away all our fat, fluffy puppies in 15 minutes on the corner of Detroit St.. When I was back in Ann Arbor for my Ann Arbor High School reunion the farmers market was the one stop I had to make. Wish I could be there this weekend. I've lived in 5 states since Michigan and bar none, the Ann Arbor Farmers Market is the best!!!
smr
Thu, Aug 6, 2009 : 10:38 a.m.
@zelda the ann arbor chronicle has some context for luis' remarks about baked good in this article: http://annarborchronicle.com/2009/08/06/council-caucus-near-north-pud/
pooh bear
Wed, Aug 5, 2009 : 10:42 p.m.
Mrs. Parker sells the best catnip balls in the world. She also has other sewn goods, tea towels and pot holders and last Saturday I bought dill from her. She used to sell eggs and that's when I got to know her. She's still healthy and we had a nice chat.
Moms Kitchen
Wed, Aug 5, 2009 : 4:48 p.m.
Rena - you look beautiful!!!
Jennifer Shikes Haines
Wed, Aug 5, 2009 : 4:17 p.m.
In addition to Shannon Brines, John Hochstetler of Our Family Farm will be carrying greens this winter on Saturdays. He also carries eggs year-round, and has a winter poultry/greens/pork CSA. I know there are many other vendors during the winter months, but I'm interested that the movement that Shannon Brines took up is now being followed by others, which will only make our local food scene that much stronger!
81wolverine
Wed, Aug 5, 2009 : 3:12 p.m.
Happy 90th, Farmer's Market! Going to the Farmer's Market every Saturday with my wife is one of our absolute favorite parts of living in Ann Arbor. Besides finding all the healthy, locally-grown fruits & vegetables, we almost always see someone we know. Guess we'll have to get there early to find a parking spot!
E. Manuel Goldstein
Wed, Aug 5, 2009 : 1:54 p.m.
I will also be attending the market this Saturday, but I will be carrying a clipboard and asking people to sign a petition in favor of adopting much stronger Market Operating Rules concerning Baked Goods. Unfortunately there are vendors at the market who abuse the rules by trying to skirt them in some way. The burgeoning local foods movement is taking note. You may recognize me by my pie costume, and poster board explaining the issue.
Juliew
Wed, Aug 5, 2009 : 1:39 p.m.
Slight clarification: the Market is open year-round on Saturdays (and yes, there still is a lot of local produce in the winter, including fresh greens from Shannon Brines). The Wednesday market is only open from May though December.
Jennifer Shikes Haines
Wed, Aug 5, 2009 : 11:06 a.m.
I can't believe I'm going to be out of town for this! Only a family wedding would keep me away (and will). What does Mildred Parker sell when she makes it in, do you know?