EAST LANSING, Mich. — Opening day of the 2017 East Lansing Farmer’s Market (ELFM) is just around the corner, taking place on Sunday, June 4 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Valley Court Park, 280 Valley Court.
There will be a special ringing of the “market bell” with East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows at 10 a.m. on opening day, followed by a giveaway of free, reusable ELFM shopping bags to the first 150 market customers. There will also be children’s activities and live music by Chuck Whiting from 10 a.m.-noon and Jackalope from noon-2 p.m.
The 2017 season will run June 4-Oct. 29 on Sundays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Valley Court Park, 280 Valley Court.
About the Market
The ELFM features fresh, farm-grown Michigan produce/products and draws a crowd of more than 1,000 visitors each week. As a growers-only market, ELFM vendors are required to grow their own produce and/or make their own products. The ELFM tagline says it all: “100% Homegrown Makes Us Different.”
This year’s vendor lineup includes a great mix of returning and new vendors. The 2017 vendors include 45th Parallel Pickles, 517 Coffee Company, Applegarth Honey, Beagle’s Café & Bakery, Better Finds, The Cheese People of Grand Rapids, Circle F Ranch, Corrion Farms, Droscha Sugarbush, El Burrito Mexicano, Fire and Rice, For the Love of Grain, Fresh Lake Whitefish Company, Good Eats Diva, Guiding Light Garlic Farm, Hickory Knoll Farms Creamery, Jenny’s Sweets & Treats, The Local Epicurean, MI Pops, Michigan Soda Company, Owosso Organics, Pregitzer Farm Market, Rasch Orchards, Rust Belt Roastery, Sapo De Solis, Small House, Stone Circle Bakehouse, Swallowtail Farm, Tomac Pumpkins, Tongue Huggers, Trillium Wood Farm, Wildflower Eco Farm and Wooden Shoe Herb Farm.
Live musical performances take place at the market each week from 10 a.m.-noon and noon-2 p.m.
“We hope community members will regularly visit the ELFM on Sundays throughout the 2017 season,” said ELFM Market Manager Heather Surface. “The market is a great place to meet up with friends and neighbors, enjoy time outdoors in a beautiful park setting and buy fresh Michigan produce and products from local farmers and producers.”
SNAP/Bridge Card & Double Up Food Bucks Benefits
The ELFM accepts SNAP/Bridge Cards at the market and allows EBT-eligible customers to stretch their dollars with the Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) program. As a result of a grant from the Fair Food Network, the DUFB program "matches" SNAP/Bridge Card dollars spent at farmer’s markets. Customers will receive a dollar for dollar match (up to $20) that can be spent on fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Michigan. For example, if a customer spends $20 on their SNAP/Bridge Card, they would receive an extra $20 to spend.
Community members can learn more about the ELFM at www.cityofeastlansing.com/farmersmarket.