Farmers market offers locally sourced charm

By Snow Pedersen
Contributor

The Ann Arbor Farmers Market has set up camp under the pavillions next to Kerrytown shopping center for 100 years this August.

With the Wednesday market open for the season as of May 1, Ann Arbor residents can expect more fresh produce and homemade treats. From familiar names like RoosRoast Coffee, to the unique combination of soap and goat meat offered by Betty’s Best, there’s no shortage of choices.

“We have over 135 vendors,” said Rebecca Locke, the assistant market manager. “They rotate, and we don’t know who’s showing up until they show up the morning of.”

The various market vendors offer a wide selection of quality goods, bringing something for everyone, said Scott Robertello, a co-owner of Kapnick Orchards.

“Just about everything you can think of is here for sale,” Robertello said. “Everything’s nice and fresh; the quality is excellent.”

Food from the farmers market stands out from food sold at grocery stores, both for its freshness and the fact that it’s locally sourced, said Robertello.

“One of the big things that I think is important about the farmers market is that you can actually talk to the person that grew your food,” he said. “If you go to Kroger, or Meijer, or even Whole Foods, you’re not going to speak to the guy or the woman who grew that piece of fruit or that vegetable.”

Besides fresh produce, food trucks also make up an important part of the market.

“The food trucks are really appealing to the students,” said Locke, and the Ann Arbor Farmers Market has plenty of them. Wood Fired Up pizza and Compadre alternate on Wednesdays. Once a month, the market also hosts a food truck rally.

“We get over 15 food trucks here on the farmers market grounds, so there’s tons of different varieties of food and most of it is locally sourced and made from scratch,” Locke said.

The food truck rally also includes live music and other activities, such as face painting.

Robertello said the “loyalty of the customers and how passionate they are about the market” is what makes the market special. He said even in the cold of winter, customers still come out to the market.

“People in Ann Arbor are just amazing, how they support this market,” Robertello added.

Robertello also advised market-goers to arrive early, because top produce picks usually sell out quickly.

“Usually first picks are the best,” he said.

For an up-to-date list of activities and events see the Ann Arbor Farmers Market Facebook page.

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