YMCA Farmers Market: supporting local growers, local businesses, local families

As it approaches its fourth season, the YMCA Farmers Market is continuing to educate consumers, build community and improve food access in Grand Rapids. Along with an array of locally produced food, the market offers its shoppers fun children’s activities, a cooking demonstration that promotes the use of farm fresh ingredients and healthy recipes, live local music, and an opportunity to shop in a welcoming environment. The market is located in downtown Grand Rapids at the David D. Hunting YMCA and is open every Thursday from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. from June through September.

The market focuses on providing urbanites with access to Michigan grown produce and locally crafted food products such as bread, cheese, jam, and kombucha. With a wide variety of vendors, the market provides consumers with options that satisfy most shopping needs.

This season, market vendors include Goen’s Produce, Cooked to Perfection, Grand Valley State University’s Sustainable Agriculture Project, Funny Farm, Grassfields Cheese, Sweet Si Bon, as well as products from Bloom Ferments and Wealthy Street Bakery.

Vendors make up the heart of the operation at the YMCA Farmer’s Market. Every Thursday they bring their stories, passions, and of course their delicious food to create a vibrant, unique and positive community experience. They see market days as a time to share their work with shoppers while building lasting relationships.

Robin and Ed of Goen’s Produce exude this sense of pride and community. Returning for their fourth season at the market, they have been farming in Allendale since 1979 and claim that farming is a part of their identity. Beginning as a hobby, their passion has become a business and provided them with many new learning opportunities and adventures. In addition to produce they have begun to sell prepared products such as jam and baked goods. This past season they built a hoop house to extend their growing season, offering them the opportunity to provide even more vegetables. They love the work that they do and enjoy making it a family affair. Together Robin and Ed plant, weed, harvest, and maintain their farm, putting in long hours every day. As far as the market goes, Robin and Ed are excited to be a part of the community. When asked what their favorite part of the market is they replied, “We love to see little kids pick out vegetables they like.”

Grassfields Organic Cheese is a fifth generation family owned and operated farm. Since 1882 the Meerman family have been stewards of the same land, working to give customers the best product possible while treating their animals in a humane manner. The entire family plays a role in their business, from the actual farming to making the cheese and marketing. The family feels that by teaching their children how to farm they are helping them to grow in spirit and maturity. Working with animals allows them to feel a connection to the earth and understand the role that animals should play in the food system. Luke Meerman, a fifth generation farmer, encourages people to come and visit the farm, to see the animals, and to meet his family. This transparency allows people to gain an understanding of where their food comes from and how it is made. When asked what he loves about the market Meerman explained that, “I love connecting with people who care where their food comes from.”

With many returning vendors such as the Goen’s and Grassfields as well as several new products from places like Bloom Ferments and Wealthy Street Bakery, the YMCA Farmers Market is sure to provide a wide range of quality products while building community around both local food and local business.