EAST LANSING, Mich. — The East Lansing Farmer’s Market (ELFM) will kick off its 2015 season on Sunday, June 7. The 2015 season will run June 7-Oct. 25 on Sundays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Valley Court Park, 280 Valley Court.
The ELFM brings fresh, farm-grown Michigan produce and products to the region, serving more than 1,000 visitors each week. The market takes great pride in its tagline, “100% Homegrown Makes Us Different,” meaning all ELFM vendors are required to grow their own produce or make their own products.
Live musical performances take place at the market each Sunday from 10 a.m. – noon and noon – 2 p.m. A complete list of vendors and information on the 2015 market can be found online @ www.cityofeastlansing.com/farmersmarket.
Opening Day ActivitiesThe ELFM will give away FREE reusable shopping bags to the first 200 customers. This year's reusable shopping bag features a new handcrafted design. In addition, the ELFM will hold a special ringing of the "market bell" to celebrate the start of the 2015 market season at 10 a.m. with Mayor Nathan Triplett.
Opening day musical performances will include Steve Pinckney at 10 a.m. and Rob Klajda at noon. In addition, a children’s activity will be hosted by the Girl Scouts Heart of Mid Michigan. Members of the media are invited to attend.
2015 VendorsThe 2015 returning vendors include Applegarth Honey, Corrion Farms, Country Mill (The), Droscha Sugar Bush, Fresh Lake Whitefish Company (The), Hickory Knoll Farms Creamery, Jenny's Sweet & Treats, Local Epicurean (The), Owosso Organics, Pregitzer Farm Market, Rasch Orchards, Simpatico Coffee, Spartan Country Meats, Spoonful of Granola, Stone Circle Bakehouse, Thunderfoot Meats & Wool Mill, Titus Farms, Tomac Pumpkin Patch, Trillium Wood Farm, Wildflower Eco Farm and Wooden Shoe Herb Farm. This year’s new vendors include Botanik, Cheese People (The), El Burrito Mexicano, Good Bites, Purple Carrot (The), Rust Belt Roastery, Sara Smith Sweets and Sweetie-Licious.
SNAP/Bridge Card & Double Up Food Bucks BenefitsThe ELFM accepts SNAP/Bridge cards at the market and allows 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 for FREE.###