2012 Farmers Markets at the Capitol
Thursday, July 19 and Thursday, September 13

Thanks to all of the shoppers and vendors who joined us at this year's Farmers Markets at the Capitol on Thursday, July 18 and Thursday, September 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the east lawn of the Capitol in Lansing.

• See the September list of vendors the the vendor map
• Read the press release

These markets, hosted by the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) in partnership with MIFFS and the Michigan Department or Agriculture and Rural Development, featured more than 70 vendors from across the state of Michigan, selling locally-grown and produced goods.

Shoppers could get fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, honey, maple syrup, flower bouquets, herbs and spices, baked goods, jams, jellies, salsas and more.

This year's markets also accepted Bridge Cards, Double Up Food Bucks, WIC Project FRESH and Market FRESH so that everyone can get fresh, local food. Thank you, Allen Street Farmers Market, for making this possible!

If every Michigan household spent just $10 per week on Michigan-produced food, it would generate nearly $40 million each and every week. 

The Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) and Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS), in partnership with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), hosted these special farmers markets for the seventh consecutive year to celebrate Michigan farmers and to raise awareness about the many benefits of fresh, local food to our economy and communities.

These markets are an excellent venue for putting the spotlight on Michigan agriculture and local food to show Michigan residents, legislators and media how important the growing agri-food industry is to this state, especially in these tough economic times. In fact, the farmers and vendors at these farmers markets last year averaged nearly $1000 in sales per vendor in July, ringing up more than $82,000 in total sales for the two markets held at the Capitol in 2010.

Sponsors for the markets included Dr. Paul Thompson, W.K. Kellogg Chair in Agricultural, Food and Community Ethics, Auto-Owners Insurance, Lansing State Journal, MSU Federal Credit Union, MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, the Food Bank Council of Michigan, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, Union of Concerned Scientists, USDA Rural Development, MSU Product Center, Fair Food Network, Advanced Insurance Markets and Lansing Community College.

See the vendor list for the July 19 Farmers Market at the Capitol

For more information about the market, contact Dru Montri, MIFMA Director, at 517-432-3381 or dru@mifma.org.