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Sun, Fun, Fresh and Friendly - Meridian Township Farmers' Market |
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"We just want people to come and buy and leave," says Sharon Pierce . "It's not been our issue how to draw more people in. They keep coming."
A good thing for Okemos and a good thing for the farmers of central Michigan. For 30 years, Okemos and East Lansing residents, visitors, professors and students from Michigan State University have been shopping on Saturdays at the Meridian Township Farmers' Market for fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables and delectable treats-like 10 varieties of garlic, chicken egg-rolls and organic coffee. Life is good.
"This farmers market is fantastic," exudes customer Heather Busch. "It's one of the best farmers' markets I've been to. I love the variety. I love that there's a lot of organic produce. The people are so friendly and the prices are very reasonable."
Lansing residents Tony Sills and Aurelias Reyna explain their strategy for getting the best.
"I usually come like 7 o'clock when I get off work," explains Aurelias. "I drive directly here and I sleep in the parking lot until it opens 'cause that's when I get some of the best picks, like the best berries of the day. I stop at the bank and get $60 and I come here and I just blow it all."
Tony interrupts, "You don't blow it all?"
Aurelias confirms, "Yah, I have been. I get fish, eggs, all our vegetables — about a week, week and a half of vegetables and I also get some of the soaps, the spices, great garlic and then snacks."
The people are so friendly and the prices are very reasonable.
So what is it about the Meridian Township Farmers' Market that generates this kind of enthusiasm and loyalty? Some folks say it's the intelligence of the customers who know a good thing when they see it. Others say it is the consistent high quality from long-standing reliable vendors whose dependability pays off with satisfied return customers. In reality, it takes both.
Rebecca Titus , Titus Farms, Leslie, Michigan has been selling here for 11 years. "The Meridian market is a wonderful market," she says. "It's very busy, very well attended, and well organized. There's nice people there and a good selection of products. There's an energy that you find in a farmers' market that you don't necessarily find in a CSA. It's a great place to be."
Vendor Janie Cinzori , Cinzori Farms, Ceresco, Michigan says "It's just a really lively, vibrant market. It's got a really good customer base. People that know and appreciate local food, know about organic and understand things like that. It's an informed customer base which is really good for us."
"There are a lot of people who are coming because of the variety and quality of the produce," says Christine Miller, market manager. "They want to buy and eat locally and know where their food is coming from. They like the idea of talking with the people who grow the food."
They like the idea of talking with the people who grow the food.
To keep these customers informed, the Meridian Township Market has recently introduced a labeling system to explain that some produce is direct from the grower and some is purchased through wholesalers or resellers. With labels, customers can easily identify who and where it was grown. Of course, they can also ask.
Pooh Stevenson runs a certified organic vegetable operation in Owosso, Michigan and occupies a prime position under the protected roof at the market. "Because we sell only what we grow, it is fun to see the product line change with the season. People are really so far removed from the food system today. When you're at a farmers' market you are teaching people that there's a season for everything." (Read more about Pooh in Howard Blume's Grower's Story in this month's FreshNews.)
Paul Titus owns 80 acres and grows 50 varieties of vegetables and fruits on his family farm in Leslie, Michigan. "Some days we'll move 250 cantaloupes. I mean we'll bring a trailer in and we'll move those in a day. When we have raspberries we can move 200 quarts of those. And we brought in 49 cases of tomatoes and they'll soon be gone."
For almost 20 years, Chef Eric Villegas has purchased his fresh produce from the Meridian market. He's become quite a celebrity with his own public television program and book. "It's just an incredible place to shop and it's incredibly important to me to keep my money in my local neighborhood. We're a very seasonal driven local kind of community and we try and grab as many local products as possible."
When you're at a farmers' market you are teaching people that there's a season for everything.
Like other farmers' markets, the growers know their product and willingly share their seasonal recipes. Aurelias explains, "Talk to the people who are selling. Talk to the growers. All of them are willing to talk to people and give you recipes that are in season."
Customer Glenn Stutzky told us, "I didn't realize there's a dozen different kinds of garlic. They're not all the same. That's one of the things I really like about the farmers' market — even within a particular product there's so much more variety. Not every garlic is just like every other garlic."
Spending time at the Meridian market, you realize why so many people come back week after week - it's just a wonderful place. But you'll have to get there early if you want a parking spot and the best pickings. Not bad for a little market in suburban East Lansing that has achieved a great reputation.
Whenever you are near the University, save your Saturday morning for the fun, freshness and friendliness of the Meridian Township Farmers' Market. It's worth it!
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