The Giant Guide to up North

May 29, 2015

FARMERS MARKETS

ALDEN FARMERS MARKET

facebook.com/AldenFarmersMarket

Open: Thursdays, June 25-fall

Hours: 5pm-8pm

Location: Tennis Court Park on East Street With the perfect hours for folks to pick up fresh goods on their way home from work, Alden’s market is small, but still has such diverse offerings as produce, salsa, pesto, flowers and herbal products.

Don’t Miss: The Queen of Tarts, offering both sweet and savory tarts, including standouts like s’mores or bacon and caramelized onion.

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ANTRIM COUNTY FARMERS MARKET OF BELLAIRE

bellairechamber.com

Open: Fridays, May 23-October

Hours: 8am-noon

Location: M-88, across from the Antrim County courthouse This open air market offers a great assortment of organic food, vegetables, crafts and other local specialties. Whether you’re a casual cook or a professional chef, there’s plenty of fresh food to browse and buy.

Don’t Miss: Hep’s Home Baked Granola, a snappy addition to yogurt or fruit as well as a delicious cereal all on its own.

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BOYNE CITY FARMERS MARKET

facebook.com/BoyneCityFarmersMarket

Open: Wednesdays and Saturdays, May-October

Hours: 9am-1pm

Location: Veteran’s Memorial Park, 207 N. Lake Street It’s actually open year round (winter location is the Red Barn on Park Street), but this market really shows its stuff in the summer when classic seasonal foods like mushrooms and rhubarb make their appearance.

Don’t Miss: the popular Food Truck Rally, an amped up market welcoming a plethora of local mobile chefs on July 17.

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CHARLEVOIX FARMERS MARKET

www.facebook.com/CharlevoixFarmersMarket

Open: Thursdays, May-October

Hours: 9am-1pm

Location: Charlevoix’s East Park Of course you’ll find produce, baked goods, home-canned items and flowers, but the Charlevoix market also offers a diverse schedule of weekly events, from seminars on gardening to cooking demonstrations.

Don’t Miss: terrific bread, from Rustic Baker’s artisan sourdough and gluten-free Yaya’s, to Smoke on the Water’s braided challah.

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ELK RAPIDS FARMERS MARKET

facebook.com/elkrapidsfarmersmarket

Open: Fridays, June 5-October

Hours: 8am-1pm

Location: 305 US-31 Homegrown maple syrup is only one of the highlights of this farmers market sponsored by the Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. It’s chock-full of two dozen vendorsworth of the freshest fare from honey to nuts to veggies.

Don’t Miss: gluten-free greatness. For the wheat-sensitive, this is one of several farmers markets that offer great gluten-free products.

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CADILLAC MADE IN MICHIGAN FARMERS MARKET

facebook.com/cadillacmadeinmichiganfarmersmarket

Open: Thursdays and Saturdays, June 4-fall

Hours: 7am-1pm Thursday, 8am-1pm Saturday

Location: Corner of Cass and Lake Streets The Cadillac market includes such diverse products as fresh garlic, free-range meats, artisan crafts, baked goods, fresh fish from lakes Michigan and Superior, Bud and Connie’s famed maple syrup and, of course, produce.

Don’t Miss: The Cookie Lady from Mecosta; she makes baked goods so good, they just might not make it out of your car.

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EAST JORDAN GARDEN CLUB FARMERS MARKET

find them on Facebook

Open: Thursdays, May-October

Hours: 9am-1pm

Location: Sportsman’s Park off M-32 by Bridge Street From eggs and cheese to cinnamon rolls and soap, East Jordan’s market regulars include Arnott’s Honey, Olds Farm, Knipe’s Orchard, Allison’s Bakery and Turtles Kitchen, among others.

Don’t Miss: Turtles Kitchen’s banana, zucchini and "secret recipe" carrot-spice homemade quick breads.

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ELBERTA FARMERS MARKET

villageofelberta.com/elberta-farmers-market

Open: Thursdays, May-October

Hours: 8am-12:30pm

Location: Elberta’s Penfold Park, just off M-22 and the Betsie Valley Trail. Now in their 13th year of bringing fresh products to the village, this market is full of fresh produce, pies, breads and harvested mushrooms and maple syrup. Craft vendors are excluded in order to keep the focus on the food.

Don’t Miss: a spot in the pavilion area for an impromptu meal after making your market purchases. It’s often called Elberta’s best secret lunch spot.

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EMPIRE FARMERS MARKET

www.eatleelanau.org

Open: Saturdays, June 13-Sept. 12

Hours: 9am-1pm

Location: 10234 W. Front Street, next to the post office Whether it’s a fresh tomato or a crisp ear of buttery corn, the Empire market joins the rest of the Leelanau farmers crew in offering up a great selection of farm-fresh food ready to bag up and bring back to your kitchen.

Don’t Miss: chef Cheryl Janz. Everyone’s hoping she’ll return to the market this year with her irresistible peppercorn and lemon-lime shortbreads.

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FRANKFORT’S FRIENDLY FARMERS MARKET

find them on Facebook

Open: Saturdays, May-October

Hours: 9am-1 pm Location: downtown Frankfort on the waterfront Featuring products from the farmers of Benzie and surrounding counties, this bountiful market includes local honey and maple syrup, organic and local chicken eggs and meats, and plenty of Michigan cherries.

Don’t Miss: locally made, beautifully scented herbal soaps and skin care, which add a fashionable and fragrant element to Frankfort’s market scene.

GAYLORD FARMERS MARKET

facebook.com/DowntownGaylordFarmersMarket

Open: Saturdays, May 16-fall

Hours: 8am-2pm

Location: Gaylord’s downtown Pavilion on Court Avenue Conveniently located right in the middle of the alpine village, Gaylord’s market includes veggies from carrots to wild leeks to spinach, Witt’s maple syrup and Puddingstone Farm’s fresh eggs, all ready for spring omelets.

Don’t Miss: Home Comfort Farms’ famed butternut squash cookies. That’s right – a gourd in a cookie. Trust us, it works.

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GLEN ARBOR FARMERS MARKET

eatleelanau.org

Open: Tuesdays, June 16-Sept. 8

Hours: 9am-1pm

Location: 6394 Western Avenue, behind the Township office Meet local farmers at the Glen Arbor market that offers goodies from the Olsen, Jonali, Isadore and Second Spring farms, among others, as well as Jelinek honey and freshly-caught fish by the pound from Red Cloud Fishery.

Don’t Miss: Chance Chocolate’s signature Chingers: dark chocolate-covered crystallized ginger candies that are impossible to stop eating.

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GROW BENZIE

growbenzie.org

Open: Mondays, May 26-Oct. 13

Hours: 3pm-7pm

Location: 5885 Frankfort Highway (M-115) in Benzonia In addition to the usual farm-grown goods, Grow Benzie’s version of a farmers market includes some nifty extras, from live music and local wine samplings to their "Home Grown Food Treats," all in a festival atmosphere.

Don’t Miss: the "Vendor of the Week," a great way to introduce yourself to new vendors and farm offerings.

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HARBOR SPRINGS

hsfarmersmarket.weebly.com and find them on Facebook

Open: Wednesdays and Saturdays, June-Labor Day; Saturdays-only until mid-October

Hours: 9am-1pm

Location: the intersection of Main and State streets downtown Pond Hill Farm, Mushroom Market, Maple Moon, Sam’s Eggs, Suzie’s Pies, Michigan Macarons, Mike’s Mustard – so many great vendors and two days a week to visit them in Harbor’s picturesque downtown.

Don’t Miss: the little extras that make this market special, from their Shopping with a Chef feature to live music and on-site artists. Vendor Curt at Shopcraft will even sharpen your knives while you shop.

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INTERLOCHEN FARMERS MARKET

facebook.com/InterlochenFarmersMarket

Open: Sundays, May 3-Oct. 25

Hours: 9am-2pm

Location: 2112 M-137, in the parking lot behind Ric’s Grocery Interlochen’s market is half food vendors and half craft vendors – 60 booths total, with all vendors either growing or making what they sell. Concession vendors and coffee will keep you fueled for all that shopping.

Don’t Miss: Izzy Dogs, serving up every hot dog you can think of from Nathan’s beef franks and Johnsonville brats to Koegel polish sausage.

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KINGSLEY MARKET

find them on Facebook

Open: Wednesdays, June-September

Hours: 2pm-7pm

Location: Brownson Memorial Park, across from the library This one’s been dubbed "more than just a market," and for good reason. In addition to plenty of farm goods, you’ll also find handcrafted jewelry, wood carvings, baked goods, coffee and free crafting demonstrations.

Don’t Miss: vendors that offer food hot off the grill – just right for a quick snack or to bag up and carry out for dinner.

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LAKE LEELANAU FARMERS MARKET

www.eatleelanau.org

Open: Sundays, June 14-Sept. 6

Hours: 9am-1pm

Location: 112 W. Philip Street, corner of M-204 and Lake Leelanau Drive Farm-related items abound at the Lake Leelanau market and there’s even more great news for veggie fans: Many produce items are arriving early due to increased hoop house use over the past winter.

Don’t Miss: the Cherry Beach Orchards stand; they take their great produce and turn it into delicious infused vinegars and jams.

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LELAND FARMERS MARKET

www.eatleelanau.org

Open: Thursdays, June 18-Sept. 3

Hours: 9am-1pm

Location: 200 N. Grand Avenue, Leland School parking lot Local specialties, produce, baked goods and crafts comprise the offerings at this market, including maple syrups, nuts, jams, breads and cookies, soap and more, including fresh local eggs and honey.

Don’t Miss: the market’s colorful fresh flower vendors, on site to help you add that perfect finishing touch to your lunch or dinner table.

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MANCELONA FARMERS MARKET

mancelonafarmersmarket.weebly.com

Open: Thursdays, May 21-fall

Hours: 3pm-7pm

Location: Village of Mancelona Pavilion Kicking off the season with jams and jellies, baked goods, perennials and a variety of crafts, the Mancelona market also offers text reminders and vendor updates if you sign up to be a Farm Fan.

Don’t Miss: starter plants of all kinds – a great way to get your own miniature farm going this summer.

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NORTHPORT FARMERS MARKET

www.eatleelanau.org

Open: Fridays, June 6-Nov. 21

Hours: 8am-1pm

Location: 105 Bay Street, next to the depot at the marina There’s not going to be much you won’t be able to get at Northport’s market this year, with a list of vendors selling everything from lettuce to beans, tomatoes to herbs, plus zucchini and other local squashes.

Don’t Miss: Idyll Farms’ French-style goat cheese, a must-have that’s not generally sold at the farm itself, but only at the farmers market.

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PETOSKEY

www.facebook.com/PetoskeyFarmersMarket

Open: Fridays, June 12-Sept. 25

Hours: 8:30am-1pm

Location: 400 block of Howard Street between Mitchell and Michigan The street is closed for market sessions to better count Petoskey’s ABCs of farmers marketing, from asparagus and apples to beans and beets to cilantro and corn.

Don’t Miss: Pennsylvania Park, right next door. Grab food, sit down for lunch and people-watch.

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SUTTONS BAY FARMERS MARKET

www.eatleelanau.org

Open: Saturdays, May 9-Oct. 24

Hours: 9am-1pm

Location: the intersection of M-22 and M-204 at North Park From baked goods and eggs to herbs and honey, this farmers market has everything you’ll need to fill your kitchen with fresh northern Michigan food. Seafood, jams, maple syrup, live plants and crafts are also included.

Don’t Miss: sharp, zingy radishes and other top-notch salad fixings from Northport’s Bare Knuckles Farm.

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TRAVERSE CITY – THE VILLAGE OUTDOOR FARMERS MARKET

facebook.com/villagefarmersmarket

Open: Mondays, May-October

Hours: 12pm-4pm

Location: between Cottageview and Red drives at Grand Traverse Commons Even dogs are welcome at this market on the Piazza that offers everything from farm-fresh eggs to locally-produced cheeses, meats and pasta. They even stay open in the winter by moving into the Mercato corridor.

Don’t Miss: Pleasanton Brick Oven Bakery’s polenta rye bread, a solid base for making hearty sandwiches.

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TRAVERSE CITY – SARA HARDY DOWNTOWN MARKET

facebook.com/sarahardyfarmersmarket

Open: Saturdays, May-October plus Wednesdays, June-October

Hours: 7:30am-12pm

Location: corner of Cass and Grandview Parkway, parking lot B Fresh asparagus starts the season at this market, with friendly farmers on hand with suggestions on how to prepare it. But, that’s only the beginning of the produce and other goods available at this popular local stop.

Don’t Miss: Casa Verde Farm’s pork from pastured pigs, excellent for everything from pork roast to pulled pork sandwiches.