2016 Summer Farmers Market Guide

While grocery stores are offering more and more fresh, organic and locally produced goods, farmers markets are still the best way to keep the middleman out of your farm-to-table experience. And summer is best time to get out and check out your local farmers markets.

Several local markets, like Allen Street Farmers Market and Holt Farmers Market, run year-round indoor markets that sell baked goods and hearty produce during the colder months. But these markets overflow into their parking lots when the summer hits, offering a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Other markets hibernate for the winter, then reemerge and set up shop in parking lots and parks as the weather gets warmer.

And it's more than just food. Many markets feature vendors selling craft goods, flowers and even locally made alcohol. Some markets use live music to sweeten the deal, while others offer prepared foods like tacos and ice cream.

Check out our farmers market guide, then get out and check out a market near you. With over 20 markets in the tricounty area, you have plenty of options.

For more information about local farmers markets and food assistance programs, check out the Michigan Farmers Market Association at mifma.org.

Market Selection Key:

(P) Produce, (O) Organic, (D) Dairy, (M)

Meat, (FH) Fish, (PF) Prepared Food, (C) Crafts, (DG) Dry Goods, (BG) Baked Goods, (IG) International Goods, (F) Flowers, (LM) Live Music, (A) Alcohol Food Benefit Program Key: (S) SNAP, (B) Bridge Card, (DU) Double Up, (WIC) WIC Project Fresh, (MF) Market Fresh

Allen Street Farmers Market

P, O, D, M, PF, C, DG, BG, IG, F, LM

2:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, year round (outdoor market May 20-Oct.14) Allen Market Place 1629 E. Kalamazoo St., Lansing (517) 999-3911, allenmarketplace.org/ farmers-market (S, B, DU, WIC, MF)

Bath Farmers Market

P, M, PF, C, DG, BG, F, LM

3-7 p.m. Thursday, year round (outdoor market May-October) James Couzens Memorial Park 13751 Main St., Bath (512) 809-4433, bathtownship.us (S, B, DU, WIC, MF)

Bellevue Farmers Market

P, D, PF, DG, BG, F, LM

3-6 p.m. Thursday, June - October North Main Street and Mill Street, Bellevue 269-720-2279, battlecreekfarmersmarket. com (DU, WIC, MF)

Charlotte DDA Farmers Market

P, BG, DG, F, C, LM 3 p.m.- 7 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Saturday, June-October 100 block of Harris Street, Charlotte (517) 543-2681 (WIC)

Charlotte Ar tisans and Farmers Market

P, O, M, PF, C, DG, BG, LM 3-7 p.m. Thursday, 9-1 p.m. Saturday, May-October 100 West Lawrence Avenue, Charlotte. 517-543-8853 (WIC)

DeWitt Farmers Market

P, D, M, PF, C, DG, BG, IG, F, LM, A

4-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 2-October 13 Corner of Bridge and Main streets, DeWitt (517) 624-0284, dewittdda.org (S, B)

Dimondale Farmers Market

P, D, M, PF, DG, BG, F, LM,

3-7 p.m. Thursday, June-September; 3-6 p.m. Thursday, October 136 N. Bridge St., Dimondale (517) 646-0230, villageofdimondale.org/pages/farmersmarket.aspx (B, DU, WIC, MF)

East Lansing Farmers Market

P, O, D, M, PF, DG, BG, IG, F, LM 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, June-October Valley Court Park 280 Valley Court, East Lansing (517) 319-6888, cityofeastlansing.com/ farmersmarket (S, B, DU)

Eaton Rapids Community Farmers Market

P, O, D, PF, C, BG 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m.- 6 p.m. Wednesdays Hamlin Court, Eaton Rapids (517) 663-0611, cityofeatonrapids.com (WIC)

Eaton Rapids Medical Center Farmers Market

P, O, D, M, FH, PF, C, DG, BG, IG, F, LM 3-6 p.m. Friday, May-October 1500 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids

(517) 663-9453, eatonrapidsmedicalcenter. org (S, B, DU, WIC, MF)

Farmers Markets at the Capitol

P, O, D, M, FH, PF, C, DG, BG, IG, F, LM, A 10 a.m.-3 p.m. July 28, Aug. 25 and Sept. 22 East Lawn of the Capitol 100 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing (517) 432-3381, mifma.org/farmersmarkets-at-the-capitol (S, B, DU, WIC, MF)

Grand Ledge Farmers Market

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May-October 213 S. Bridge St., Grand Ledge (517) 643-1849, glfarm.org (WIC)

Har tland Farmers Market

P, O, D, M, PF, C, DG, BG, IG, F, LM

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May-October 9525 E. Highland Road, Howell (810) 632-1030, hartlandchamber.org/ farmers-flea-market.html

Holt Farmers Market

P, M, BG, C, LM

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, year round (summer market May 2-Nov. 28) 2150 S. Cedar St., Holt (517) 268-0024, holtfarmersmarket.org (S, B, DU, WIC, MF)

Howell Farmers Market

P, C, M, BG

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, May-October Corner of State and Clinton streets, Howell (517) 546-3920, howell.org (S, B, DU)

Mason Area Farmers Market

P, O, D, M, FH, PF, C, DG, BG, F, LM 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, July 9 - October 1 (August 27, Austin Park Pavilion) 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays, July 9, 21, Aug 11, 25, Sept 15. 100 block of East Maple Street, Mason (517) 676-1635

Meridian Township Farmers Market

P, O, D, M, FH, PF, DG, BG, IG, F, LM 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May-June; 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday & Saturday, July- October Central Park 5151 Marsh Road, Okemos

(517) 712-2395, meridian.mi.us (S, B, DU, WIC, MF)

Open Air Market of Stockbridge

P, M, PF, C, DG, BG, IG, F, LM 4-7 p.m. Fridays, May-October 125 S. Clinton St., Stockbridge (517) 851-7437, facebook.com/ openairmarketofstockbridge

Old Red Mill Farmers Market

P, D, BG, F

8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, June-October Old Red Mill on Water Street, Portland (517) 647- 6777, facebook.com/ oldredmillfarmersmarket (WIC)

Peckham Farms Market

P, F

10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, May- October

5408 W. Grand River Ave., Lansing (517) 316-4102, peckhamfarms.org

South Lansing Farmers Market

P, O, D, M, PF, C, DG, BG, IG, F, LM, F, 3-7 p.m. Thursdays, June-October 800 W. Barnes Ave., Lansing (517) 374-5700, southlansing.org (S, B, WIC, DU, MF)

St. Johns Farmers Market

P, O, D, C, DG, BG, F

8 a.m.- Noon Saturday, June -October

Maple Street, downtown St. Johns (989) 224-7863 (WIC)

Westside Farmers Market

10:30-2 p.m. third Wednesday of the month, June-September Corner of Pine and Ottawa, First Presbyterian Church. (517) 230-7878, nwlansing.org (B, S, DU, WIC, DU, MF)

Williamston Farmers Market

P, O, D, M, PF, C, BG, F, LM

McCormick Park, Williamston (517) 719-6193, williamston-mi.us/ ourcommunity/farmersmarket.aspx 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, May-October (S, B, DU, WIC, MF)