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2010 Farmers Markets at the Capitol set for
July 22 and September 16

June 14, 2010 - This summer’s “Farmers Markets at the Capitol” will take place Thursday, July 22 and Thursday, September 16, so get ready to celebrate!  Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS), in partnership with the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA), will be hosting these special farmers markets for the fourth year on the East lawn of the Capitol building in downtown Lansing to raise awareness about the many benefits of fresh, local food to our economy and communities. See a flyer, the list of vendors for the July market and more!

The 2010 “Farmers Markets at the Capitol” plan to feature roughly 50 farmers and vendors each from across the state selling their Michigan-grown and processed goods. MIFFS and MIFMA members received their applications in advance and had the first opportunity to apply. If you’re interested in joining MIFFS or MIFMA, visit www.miffs.org/join.asp or click the “Join MIFMA” tab at www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu.

The deadline for applications was June 30.

This summer’s markets will also accept Bridge Cards and Project FRESH for the first time, ensuring that all Michigan residents have access to the fresh, local fruits, vegetables, meats and baked goods that the markets have to offer. Thank you to the Lansing City Market for helping make this possible.

This year, coordination of these special farmers markets is in transition from MDA to MIFFS and MIFMA. MDA will be partnering with us to make these markets possible again, but we will not have funding from a Specialty Crop Block Grant to host the markets as we have in past years. In that light, there will be a vendor fee this year for those wishing to sell their goods at the market. MIFFS and MIFMA members received a $20 discount on those vendor fees as well as the advance notice and first opportunity to apply.

These markets are an excellent venue for getting Michigan agriculture and local food out in the public eye, and especially in the eyes of legislators and media who need to recognize 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 $700 in sales per vendor in July and $850 in September, ringing up more than $80,000 in total sales for the two markets held at the Capitol in 2009.

This market is hosted by Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS), in partnership with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA). Sponsors for the event are the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at Michigan State University (MSU), GreenStone Farm Credit Services and the MSU Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources.

For more information, contact Maggie Smith, market coordinator, at 517-432-3381 or smith833@msu.edu or visit www.miffs.org.

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Founded in 1998, MIFFS is a statewide membership organization (501c3) whose purpose is to promote diverse efforts that foster and sustain food and farming systems that improve economic, ecological and social well-being.  MIFFS has been effective at establishing successful partnerships among producers, markets and institutions that have created more profitable, environmentally friendly food systems in Michigan.    

The organization’s vision is based on the premise that agricultural productivity, environmental stewardship and profitability reinforce each other for the benefit of Michigan’s rural and urban communities.  To learn more, please visit www.miffs.org or call (517) 432-0712.