The Downtown Marquette Farmers Market begins its 2021 season on Saturday, May 22 at the Marquette Commons. There will be 45 vendors selling a variety of local produce and handmade food items including sauces, coffee, baked goods and more. In addition, artisan vendors are returning to the farmers market after their absence last year due to COVID restrictions. Examples of artisan products include jewelry, hand-carved wood workings and soap.
The 2021 season for the Downtown Marquette Farmers Market runs in three different schedules, the Saturday morning outdoor market, the Wednesday evening outdoor market and the late fall market. The Saturday morning market runs from May 22 through Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the Wednesday evening market begins on June 16 ending on Sept. 15, 5-7 p.m.
A market map displaying the farmers market vendor layout is available for viewing on its website here. This resource allows anyone to search for specific vendors by name to easily navigate the market for the products they are interested in. Students possessing an EBT Bridge Card can use it at the market by visiting the information booth.
“We are excited to welcome back the Wednesday Evening Market this season, and also increase the number of vendors the Saturday Morning Market to 45. We were limited to 30 last season,” said Sara Johnson, market manager for the farmers market.
New to the farmers market this year is the community table. The community table is reserved for local businesses, local non-profits and other groups who are not eligible to participate with the market because they are not farmers, growers, producers or artisans, said Johnson. Johnson hopes that the community table will facilitate the farmers market’s use as a gathering space for the community and a way for local entities to engage and interact. You can find the community table located next to the information booth. For more information on the community booth or to apply as a vendor, visit this link.
“I’m focusing hard on marketing our market offerings via social media and our e-newsletter. We also are actively looking for sponsorships and accept donations as well,” said Johnson.
The farmers market has had NMU students participate as vendors in the past and students are welcomed to vend if they would like to, said Johnson. Though the Saturday morning market is at vendor capacity, openings for the Wednesday evening outdoor market are currently open. Interested students can review the Market Policies and further information on application dates and fees here.
Interested students and community members can follow the Downtown Marquette Farmers Market on Facebook or Instagram @mqtfarmersmarket, subscribe to the e-newsletter by going to our website www.mqtfarmersmarket.com or donating to the market here.
“I have some fun events in the works such as pre-market yoga. Follow us to learn more about when these offerings will be available,” said Johnson.
