05/15/2026
Cedar Field Farm will be with us today so you can meet your farmer!
I'd love to take a moment to talk about produce at the market. Prior to taking the position of market manager, I had been a vendor at the market for years. As a result, I know first-hand how much people want to see fresh produce at our market. This has been a primary focus of mine since January. I started emailing, calling, visiting, and meeting with farmers face-to-face at other markets. It's taken me all over Southeast MI. What I thought was going to be as simple as reaching out and offering them space to sell their crops, was instead a very eye-opening learning experience that has taught me a lot about our food system, farming, and agriculture. I could talk about it for hours.
Most farms in our area have switched to a method of distribution called Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). The primary reason for this is that it is the most financially stable way for them to continue to be a direct to consumer producer, while saving significant time they need for work in their fields. Costs have risen significantly, and it is not beneficial for them to travel long distances, or pay someone to be at markets, which can be unpredictable. When you invest in CSA, you are investing in the farm at the beginning of the season. This gives them the money they need up front to grow the crops you share in throughout the growing season. They partner with neighboring farms to expand the variety of offerings, so you have a variety of locally grown, seasonally fresh produce all season long. This is the best way for you to truly support your local farmers. You are not just getting fresh produce, you are keeping your local farming community alive.
When I first started seeking farmers to bring fresh fruits and veggies to the market, Caitlin (Cedar Field) was one of the only people that responded to me. She took the time to explain what they offer, how they operate, and why. They were even willing to work with me to set up a delivery date on Friday so you can pick up your order at the market. She has come each week to explain who they are and what they have to offer. I highly encourage you to meet with her this week, or May 29th. I know it's not the same as browsing at the market, but it is the way that a lot of our area markets are offering farm fresh produce.
We live in hardiness zone 6b, which means most crops are not in season at this time. As things start to become available, we will have a higher likelihood of fresh offerings each week.
I can't overstate how much I understand the desire to see a market full of bushels overflowing with fresh fruits and vegetables. It was my vision as well. It is just not something that is practical for our area. Please talk to Caitlin and learn more about CSA and what it means for farming in our community. I have personally signed up and I'm very excited. Not only will I have fresh fruit each week, but it really does feel good to support small agriculture, which is historically the entire point of the farmers market.
