MUNISING — The recently formed Munising Farmers Market is seeking local farmers and gardeners who would like booth space for the upcoming summer season.
The 2008 Munising Farmers Market will be open from 4-7 p.m. Tuesdays at Bayshore Park in Munising. The market will run from July 1 through Sept. 30 and will coincide with Tuesday evening performances from Munising’s free Concert in the Park Series. Concerts begin at 7 p.m.
“The new farmers market will provide a good opportunity for Munising area consumers and visitors to connect with local farmers and meet the people who grow their food,” said Jim Isleib, county agent with Michigan State University Extension.
A limited number of artists and artisans will also be accepted into the market. A $10 annual fee will be charged to all sellers approved to participate.
All products offered must be grown or produced locally — Alger, Marquette, Luce, Schoolcraft, and Delta counties — with exceptions as approved by the market committee.
Elise Bunce of Rock River Township said she is happy to see the farmers market make a strong return to Munising.
“I’m so glad the market is coming back,” Bunce said. “I love it.”
Bunce will be growing numerous items for the market, including 26 varieties of tomatoes, 18 varieties of peppers and more than a dozen varieties of basil.
“I’m strictly organic,” Bunce said. “I’m not certified, so I call it naturally organic.”
Bunce’s son Rowen will be selling the family produce at the farmers market.
“I’ll be the guy there,” Rowan Bunce said.
The Bunce’s Rock River Perennial Garden and Greenhouse on Rock River Road features vegetable starts, culinary herbs, perennials, annuals and hosta.
In a 2006 Alger County MSU Extension countywide issues identification process, local citizens expressed a strong interest in increased access to locally grown food, especially organic produce, through farmers markets and food co-ops, Isleib said.
The Marquette Food Co-op has been a strong partner in developing the new Munising Farmers Market.
So far, several local farmers have signed up to sell at the market.
“The core group of participating farmers are experienced farm marketers with a lot of enthusiasm for the new Munising Farmers Market,” Isleib said.
City of Munising officials, including city commissioners, are enthusiastic about the market. On March 17, the city commission granted approval for the market to be operated on city property.
For more information on market policies or an application form, contact the Alger County MSU Extension office at 387-2530 or send an email to msue.alger@county.msu.edu
