In its fifth year, the Vicksburg Farmers’ Market will open Friday, May 16, in the newly constructed community pavilion on North Richardson Street, according to Carol Lafrance, new president of the market board.
The community pavilion was built by volunteers and the Timber Framers Guild members in the fall of 2013 to serve as the site for the market, Lions Club activities, the Historical Society events and many other gatherings.
Entry to the pavilion will be from Spruce Street on the east side of the property. Traffic flow and many other details are being considered and will need to be finalized before the opening day.
A chocolate class fundraiser for the market has been set for May 17. Nicole Berner will teach how to melt chocolate, make chocolate bowls, and special desserts.
The Vicksburg market has again been approved to offer SNAP benefits, Double-Up Food Bucks, Senior Project Fresh, WIC, and Generous Hands coupons. Moira Macleod will be keeping records for these programs again this year.
Nancy Wolf, who collected money from vendors for the first four years and served as co-manager, has turned her duties over to co-manager, Stella Shearer, and the rest of the board of directors.
A vendors meeting has been set for Tuesday, April 22, at the Depot Museum to answer questions, fill out applications and get ready for the season that will run from the middle of May through the second week of October.
Anybody with food items suitable for a Farmers’ Market is welcome to attend. If there are questions, they can be addressed to Lafrance at 649-4930 or carollafrance@att.net.
A Michigan nonprofit designation was obtained for the market in 2012.
Farmers Market Has New President
Carol LaFrance is the new president of the Farmers’ Market Board. She worked as a volunteer for the last two years, gaining experience in working with vendors.
Also, she and Penny Allen created the hugely popular Kids’ Plate that took place monthly at the market. They taught children from 3 to 10 years of age, how good fruits and vegetables taste like when combined with other ingredients.
Other members of the reconstituted board include Sue Moore, vice-president and co-manager; Stella Shearer, co-manager and trustee; Pat Hjertos, secretary; Maureen Wiertella, treasurer; Kay Anderson, and Bob Smith, trustees.
The board has been meeting weekly to recruit new vendors, assign vendor spaces, meet with the 30 plus vendors from 2013, and learn the procedures for offering special food services to customers.