www.mybaycity.com May 30, 2009
Business Article 3917
Sponsored by Bay Area Chamber of Commerce


Downtown Bay City Farmers Market shoppers find lots of veggies and other buys in a carnival-like atmosphere.

Downtown Bay City Farmers Market Open at New Location, Washington & Sixth

Buy, Eat Local Food a Growing Trend in Michigan

May 30, 2009
By: Dave Rogers


State agricultural officials say if every Michigan family purchased just $10 a week of local Michigan fruits and vegetables it would keep $37 million new dollars each week working for you right here at home.

"Select Michigan, it's good for you, our growers and our local economy," declares Howard Wetters, Bay County MSU Extension director.

The Downtown Bay City Farmers Market is now open Thursdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the City Parking Lot at the corner of Washington Avenue and Sixth Street.

The Summer Market Starts July 7th and is held Saturdays, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.

The Fall Market Begins September 1st on Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10 am to 3 pm.

Market Master Jan Rise says: "Please stop by and see all our region has to offer in locally-grown fresh produce. The Market will also offer, when available, flowers, plants, fresh bakery items and other special products! SNAP benefits cards are welcome."

The Downtown Management Board publishes a Farmer's Market or Downtown Bay City e-Newsletter that will give you information on market happenings.

Vendor space is available on a daily, weekly, or seasonal basis. A booth will be available to non-profits and community partners to showcase their group to the community.

Contact Jan Rise, Market Master, at the MSU Extension Bay County office at (989) 895-4026 to request vendor information or to schedule a date for your non-profit group to come to the new downtown market.

The Downtown Farmers Market Association hopes you will visit downtown Bay City and enjoy shopping at the new market. For more information regarding the farmers market contact the Downtown Bay City Farmers Market Association at 515 Center Avenue, Suite 301, Bay City, MI 48708 or call the MSU Extension Bay County office at (989)895-4026, msuextension@baycounty.net

Just in time for spring bedding plants, hanging flowering baskets, nursery stock, and fresh Michigan asparagus, the 2009 Michigan Farm Market and Agricultural Tourism directory is now available.

"This statewide listing of farm markets, U-pick operations, cider mills and much more, is the perfect pocket guide for those looking for farm fresh Michigan produce, and specialty food products like jams, jellies, baked goods, ice cream, maple syrup and honey," said Don Koivisto, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA). "The directory also helps locate family friendly activities down on the farm, such as hay rides, petting farms, fishing ponds, corn mazes, and riding stables."

The 2009 directory was created by the Michigan Farm Marketing & Agri-Tourism Association (MI-FMAT). Copies of the directory are available at all 14 Michigan Welcome Centers and at Farm Bureau Insurance agencies across the state.

The directory has more farm market listings than last year's, features an alphabetical index, and a regional tab design to help customers find the markets and products they are searching for. It also features 16 full-color pages and an availability chart showcasing when the various types of fresh Michigan fruits and vegetables produced are in season.

"The Michigan Farm Marketing and Agri-Tourism Association is proud to provide this directory for our customers," said Steve Tennes, MI-FMAT board president and operator of The Country Mill in Charlotte. "Michigan farm marketers are gearing up for a terrific season, and look forward to welcoming visitors to their farms to share our high quality, locally grown food and agricultural products and unique on-farm experiences."

In addition to the printed directory, farm listings can be accessed via a searchable database on MI-FMAT's Web site at www.MichiganFarmFun.com. Links to the electronic directory are also accessible from MDA's agricultural tourism Web page at www.michigan.gov/agtourism, the Michigan Farm Bureau Web site at www.michiganfarmbureau.com, and the Farm Bureau Insurance Web site at www.farmbureauinsurance-mi.com.

For the Farm Bureau Insurance agent nearest you, visit www.farmbureauinsurance-mi.com. For more information about MI-FMAT and its mission and services, visit www.MichiganFarmFun.com.

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