Community

Escanaba acknowledges National Farmers Market Week

ESCANABA -- This week is National Farmers Market Week, an annual celebration recognizing the important role farmers markets play in supporting agriculture in the Upper Peninsula, healthy food choices and the local economy.

Observed through Saturday, National Farmers Market Week was established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1999 and coincides with the peak of the summer harvest season.

In Escanaba, assistant market manager and vendor Jessica Thorsen says the Escanaba Farmers Market has been a community tradition for more than a century, providing an important economic boost for local farmers and producers.

“When you support the market, a lot of that goes back to other local farmers,” Thorsen said. “Using us as an example, we support the local feed mill because we have custom grain ordered for our goats. We also support a few different local farmers that produce hay. So the money is staying in the community, and I think it’s a great thing. We really need to support local as much as we can.”

Located at the Escanaba Marketplace on Ludington Street, the market offers shoppers direct access to locally grown fruits and vegetables, fresh meats and eggs, baked goods, maple syrup, jams and a variety of handcrafted products.

As part of National Farmers Market Week, the market is highlighting the stories of its vendors. Thorsen says one of those featured businesses is Annie Grivicich and Deb Miller from Rainbow Achers in Perkins.

“They grow vegetables, flowers and herbs, and they also sew,” Thorsen said. “They always sell out. They had some gorgeous zucchini this year, spaghetti squash and beautiful produce.”

Dennis Menard with DLM Produce in Flat Rock grows cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, potatoes, squash, onions, sweet corn, lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, beets and carrots.

Nourished by Nature, LLC, is a cottage food business run by Rebecca Smith. She offers sourdough products, jams and raspberries.

“We take great pride is using quality ingredients and providing freshly made food for our community,” Smith said. “You won’t find dyes or excess sugar in our products.”

There is more than food at the market. Rick LaCosse with Sheltered Shetlands in Ford River raises sheep to provide natural colored yarn, roving and raw fleeces.

Handmade gifts are offered by Darryle Stevenson with Kay Dee’s Keepers. She has been in business for 13 years selling pillows, kitchen items and things for children.

Barron Acres is a fourth-generation family farm in Rock. Jill Barron brings fresh vegetables, maple syrup, baked goods and flowers to the farmers market.

The Escanaba Farmers Market is open Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon through October.