Get Local
by Stefanie T. Stauffer
If you’re not glad you live in Southeast Michigan yet, you’re not paying attention. In a state that has the second highest number of independently-owned farms in the nation and crop diversity that rivals California, we have some of the best locally grown food around! And it doesn’t stop in the fields. We also have many amazing cafés, restaurants, food carts and microbreweries serving this delicious Michigan-grown food to us (including Zingerman’s Roadhouse, whose Chef/Farmer Alex Young recently won a 2011 James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Great Lakes Region). In addition to these great places to eat, many of which have been reviewed in past issues of iSPY, we are also fortunate to have multiple farmer’s markets and local grocery stores like the Ypsilanti Food Co-Op where you can purchase this food for yourself. But I figure that since most of you know about these great establishments and have read past iSPY reviews (like this one http://mispymag.com/2011/06/check-out-the-ypsi-food-co-op), I’d put the spotlight on the fabulous farmer’s markets of Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor.
Do you like fresh strawberries? Do you like running into people you know on the street? Do you feel the need to actually have a conversation with the person who grows your food? Well, then chances are we have probably seen each other or interacted in some way at the Downtown Ypsilanti and Depot Town Ypsilanti Farmer’s Markets. But for the rest of you out there who may have not been to a farmer’s market or who only go occasionally, this summer I invite you to give it a try more regularly. With a farmer’s market happening every day except Sunday and Monday in the Ypsi/Ann Arbor area, it couldn’t be a more perfect time to get local. So, go on and try it out. Who knows? You might actually become a crazed urban farmer like me after the experience (that or get to taste some incredibly high quality produce, meat, eggs, bread and perhaps even some Ypsi-grown, Ypsi-made hot sauce!). I promise that the only thing you will miss about your old chain grocery store is the air-conditioning…
If you are still hesitant, though, perhaps this study conducted last summer will persuade you: http://nofavt.org/pricestudy. It found that organically-grown items will always be cheaper at a farmer’s market than at the grocery store, whereas many conventionally-grown items are cheaper at farmer’s markets as well. With that said, I’ll see you at these fantastic markets!
Tuesday
What: Downtown Ypsilanti Farmer’s Market
When: 2 – 6 p.m. May – Oct.
Where: Ferris Street at Hamilton (behind Key Bank Lot)
Info: http://growinghope.net/programs/market
Wednesday
What: Ann Arbor Kerrytown Market
When: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. May – Dec.
Where: 315 Detroit Street
Info: http://www.a2gov.org/government/communityservices/parksandrecreation/farmersmarket/Pages/FarmersMarket.aspx
What: The Farm at St. Joe’s Farmer’s Market
When: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. June-Dec.
Where: St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Lobby
Info: http://www.realtimefarms.com/market/st-joseph-mercy-hospital-farmers-market
What: Ann Arbor Kerrytown Evening Market
When: 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. June – Sept.
Where: 315 Detroit Street
Info: (see above)
Thursday
What: Westside Farmer’s Market
When: 3 – 7p.m. June – Sept.
Where: Corner of Maple and Jackson Ave. in Ann Arbor
Info: http://www.westsidefarmersmarket.com/
Friday
What: Ypsilanti Senior Center Farmer’s Market
When: 3 – 6 p.m. June – Dec.
Where: 1015 N. Congress St.
Info: http://ypsiseniorcenter.org/News.html
Saturday
What: Depot Town Ypsilanti Farmer’s Market
When: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Freighthouse Plaza
Info: http://www.facebook.com/ypsidepottownfarmersmarket
What: Ann Arbor Kerrytown Farmer’s Market
When: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: 315 Detroit Street
Info: http://www.a2gov.org/government/communityservices/parksandrecreation/farmersmarket/Pages/FarmersMarket.aspx
About the Author
Note: St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Farmer’s Market is Wednesday 11-1pm only