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2012 Farmers Markets at the Capitol Vendor Applications are open

May 29, 2012: Get ready to celebrate and mark your calendars for this summer’s “Farmers Markets at the Capitol” which will take place Thursday, July 19 and Thursday, September 13 on the East lawn of the Capitol Building in downtown Lansing.  Vendor applications are now open and available at www.mifma.org.

More about the Farmers Markets at the Capitol...

The Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA), in partnership with Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), will be hosting these special farmers markets for the sixth consecutive year to raise awareness about the many benefits of fresh, local food to our economy and communities and to highlight Michigan’s rich agricultural industry.

 The 2012 “Farmers Markets at the Capitol” each plan to feature roughly 50 farmers and vendors from across the state selling their Michigan-grown and processed goods. Vendor applications were first made available to MIFMA and MIFFS members and are now open to all Michigan farmers and food businesses at www.mifma.org.

Vendor fees are $60 per 10-foot space for non-members or $40 per 10 feet for MIFMA and MIFFS vendors. Vendors requiring electricity will be responsible for an additional $15 fee.

This summer’s markets will also accept Bridge Cards, Double Up Food Bucks and Project FRESH, 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 Allen Street Farmers Market for helping make this possible.

These markets put 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, which contributes $91.4 billion annually to the economy, according to a recent study.  In fact, the farmers and vendors at these farmers markets last year averaged more than $950 in sales per vendor at each market, ringing up more than $119,000 in total sales for the two markets held at the Capitol in 2011.

Sponsors so far for this year’s markets include the Michigan State University (MSU) Federal Credit Union, the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, USDA Rural Development, MSU Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Lansing Community College. A Sponsorship Packet with more information about the events, sponsorship levels and sponsorship benefits is available at www.mifma.org.

For more information, contact Maggie Smith, markets coordinator, at 517-432-3381 or maggie@mifma.org or visit www.mifma.org.

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MIFMA was developed in 2006 to promote and grow farmers markets across the state and increase their visibility to both producers and consumers. This membership-based organization offers information, sharing and resources to farmers markets, farmers and vendors and friends of Michigan food and agriculture.

The MIFMA mission is to advance farmers markets to create a thriving marketplace for local food and farm products and to place farmers markets at the forefront of the local food movement, working to ensure all residents have access to healthy, locally grown food and that Michigan farmers markets receive policy support.  To learn more, please visit www.mifma.org or call (517) 432-3381.