The Farmers’ Markets in Vicksburg and Schoolcraft have been alive with customers, vendors and great food, all summer long. Moving into fall, the markets will have harvest bounty for sale, such as watermelon, squash, tomatoes, potatoes, and apples.
Vicksburg’s market, which anticipates moving into the new pavilion site in 2014, has steadily increased its customer count from previous years. An average between 600 and 750 have visited each week with over 30- 35 vendors. They have found produce, meat, eggs and specialty items galore, according to Nancy Wolf, co-market manager. The market is open on Friday’s from 2:30 to 6:30 pm on the site of Bobby’s Restaurant on N. Richardson Street.
A special treat for those roaming the vendor stalls has been entertainment each week from members of the Kalamazoo Folk Life Society. The music has warmed the hearts of adults and children alike according to Chuck Rysenga who has booked all of the musicians who are donating their talents for the Market customers.
Another special feature has been the Kids’ Plate organized on the first Friday of the month by Carol LaFrance and Penny Allen. They have been teaching children how good vegetables and fruit can taste when made into special concoctions. They have made smoothies, tacos and other goodies with the bulk of the contents supplied by the vendors in the marketplace. The Market honors Bridge cards, Double Up Food Bucks, WIC, Project Senior Fresh, SNAP and Generous Hands coupons.
Schoolcraft’s market is also booming with more than 20 registered vendors on Wednesdays from 3 – 6 pm in the south parking lot of the United Methodist Church on US 131 and Clay Street. Special events are scheduled in Schoolcraft on Sept. 11, an arts and crafts sale, on Oct. 23 a pumpkin carving and on Oct 31, a Trunk’r’Treat from 5-7 pm on the last day of the market for 2013 according to Cheri Bales, the market manager.