Our Farm Market History. How it all started...
Our beginnings date back to the Spring of 2000. A small group of locals wanted a way to bring all of our locally grown and produced items from the farms into town. Creating a way for the farmer to sell his wares and prosper and a way for the community to take advantage of fresh healthy food seemed like a great idea.
July of 2000 was the year it all started. With only a handful of vendors the first week... And so they say, the rest is history. Since that first year we now average almost 20 vendors! Several of our vendors have used the market as a launching pad for their own home-based or retail business.
July of 2008 opened up an additional need for fresh garden goods. The Oscoda/Au Sable Chamber of Commerce asked us to open up a second market day for their community. The response from shoppers was amazing and immediately proved successful.
Our initiative to bring together the two groups of sellers and buyers has always driven us to continue to do more. One of the markets main goals is to educate consumers regarding the importance of fresh produce. Healthy food = healthy people. We strive to help folks learn how they can buy a few food producing plants and feed their own for very little money. Vendors offer a wealth of information with not only recipes, but also by way of health benefits derived from certain fruits, herbs and vegetables.
In line with our goals, 2010 was our first year participating in the Federally funded SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). The program allows low-income shoppers to use their Bridge Cards (formerly known as food stamps) to purchase garden fresh produce, vegetable plants and herbs right at the markets. By implementing this program we will also be able to accept credit and debit cards! How great is that?
2011 brings even more good things! The Fair Food Network has chosen our markets to participate in Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB). We are the only market in the northern portion of the state so far. DUFB matches SNAP benefits dollar for dollar, up to $20 per market day. Talk about more bang for your buck!
MSU Extension "Master Gardener Is In" volunteers set up a table, ready to tackle some of your toughest gardening questions. Find a weird bug on your rose bush? Bring it in. Icky spots on your tomatoes? Bring it in. What should you plant next to your eggplant? The trained volunteers are armed with many reference books that will definitely help you improve your home gardens.
July of 2000 was the year it all started. With only a handful of vendors the first week... And so they say, the rest is history. Since that first year we now average almost 20 vendors! Several of our vendors have used the market as a launching pad for their own home-based or retail business.
July of 2008 opened up an additional need for fresh garden goods. The Oscoda/Au Sable Chamber of Commerce asked us to open up a second market day for their community. The response from shoppers was amazing and immediately proved successful.
Our initiative to bring together the two groups of sellers and buyers has always driven us to continue to do more. One of the markets main goals is to educate consumers regarding the importance of fresh produce. Healthy food = healthy people. We strive to help folks learn how they can buy a few food producing plants and feed their own for very little money. Vendors offer a wealth of information with not only recipes, but also by way of health benefits derived from certain fruits, herbs and vegetables.
In line with our goals, 2010 was our first year participating in the Federally funded SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). The program allows low-income shoppers to use their Bridge Cards (formerly known as food stamps) to purchase garden fresh produce, vegetable plants and herbs right at the markets. By implementing this program we will also be able to accept credit and debit cards! How great is that?
2011 brings even more good things! The Fair Food Network has chosen our markets to participate in Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB). We are the only market in the northern portion of the state so far. DUFB matches SNAP benefits dollar for dollar, up to $20 per market day. Talk about more bang for your buck!
MSU Extension "Master Gardener Is In" volunteers set up a table, ready to tackle some of your toughest gardening questions. Find a weird bug on your rose bush? Bring it in. Icky spots on your tomatoes? Bring it in. What should you plant next to your eggplant? The trained volunteers are armed with many reference books that will definitely help you improve your home gardens.