Shelby Gears Up for Opening of Farmers Market

Fresh produce, flowers and even demonstrations from a chef will kick off Shelby Township’s Farmers Market season.

The market will open on Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and continue every Saturday through October. The farmers market is held at the Packard Proving Grounds on Van Dyke between 22 and 23 Mile roads.

Mary Anne Demo, manager of the farmers market, said local farmers will produce all of the products.

Demo, a lifelong Macomb County resident and Eisenhower graduate, said she remembers riding the bus through Shelby and picking up the farmers' kids. Now, all of the stops have been replaced with subdivisions and most of the farmers have migrated north.

For the first few weeks, there will be mostly flowers and some greens until the weather gets warmer and fruits and vegetables are in full bloom.

Demo’s mission is to promote organic food and get people in the habit of buying local.

“Since we can buy produce all times of the year, we lose track of the fact that you can get freshly picked products,” said Demo, who added that there is nothing like the taste of an outdoor-grown Michigan tomato.

Demo said the prices at the farmers market will be a little higher than the grocery store but not much because the farmers are growing the produce themselves and bringing them verses a grocery store that is buying produce in large quantities.

“I think anybody that has grown things in their own garden really appreciates it even more. You know how much work goes into the produce if you have your own garden,” said Demo.

Chef Kendall Mitchell will help shoppers come up with dinner ideas by choosing fresh items at the market and cooking up delectable dishes.

The idea to open a farmer’s market in Shelby came to Demo, who runs several other markets in Michigan, when her mother expressed a desire to have a fresh market in Shelby.

Demo said the Packard Proving Grounds was a natural fit because of its acres of space for the market and because it’s a historic site for the township.

Between 25 and 30 vendors will be returning for the third annual market:

• Don Ginn, a farmer from Capac: Fresh eggs from free-range, hormone- and antibiotic-free chickens and locally grown produce.

• Lynn from Rudich Farms: Mother’s Day flowers.

• Bigelow Berry Farms: During strawberry season.

• Tou Xiong’s family: Specialty Asian produce.

• Sharkar Farms: Plants for your garden in early spring, Michigan-grown summer produce.

• Vic the Bread Guy: Artisan, fresh-baked breads.

• Bill & Sharon Ross: Homemade jams, jellies and salsas.

• Shirley from the Righteous Bean: Locally roasted, fair-trade coffee. Sip and shop!

• Fran’s Favorites: Beautifully decorated cookies for all occasions and tasty sweet breads.

 A couple of the new vendors this season:

• Bernadette Troy of Shelby Township: Beautiful, handcrafted soaps.

• Adriane Baden of Shelby Township’s Kaliah Designs: Jewelry inspired by nature, created from repurposed and recycled items.
• Beth the Bag Lady from Lapeer: Reusable fabric bags with tons of personality.

 Thanks to Michigan’s new cottage industry law, other vendors are welcome to apply to exhibit their wares at the market this season. Visit www.ShelbyFarmersMarket.com for more information and to submit an application.

The market will be open rain or shine. In fact, a little-known tip Demo gave Patch is that shoppers who brave the rain will likely find better deals.