The weekly community event of the Albion Farmer’s Market is an easily overlooked resource within our community. Albion Farmer’s Market is a great way to support local but also buy fresh produce to support healthy living. Not only is it convient that our Farmer’s Market is located right downtown in Stoffer Plaza, but it is also accessible to all with the SNAP and Double-Up programs. The market bridges the need for fresh food between each weekend by being every Wednesday.
The purpose of the Farmer’s Market is to serve as a direct links between local farmers and communities, promoting sustainable agriculture, supporting local economies, and offering fresh, nutritious options. It is a gathering space to support local entrepreneurs and create a lasting impact. When talking with a few of the vendors of the Albion Farmer’s Market, each one commented on how they are locally based. Local entrepreneurs work to support themselves as well as the community in their endeavors.
The vendor, Just Sproutin’ Farms not only sells locally grown micro-greens, but also uses the market time to educate the community on what micro-greens are. They explained that micro-greens are a superfood packed with nutrients that can be used in salads, eggs, sandwiches, and so much more. Jolly Green Junction, a widely known local business, has a weekly booth providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables, jams and jellies, and much more. Sue Ott, owner of Jolly Green Junction, has been doing the market for over 50 years. She has a passion for the display of the produce to be appealing, creating a bright and colorful vendor space just waiting for customers.
Newer to the Albion Farmer’s Market, Emelander Family Farm has been making a big impact on the products offered at the market as they sell farm fresh meat and meat products. This ranges from fresh eggs to beef patties and lamb chops. Fresh produce, including fresh meat means that there are more nutrients, better for you and better for the environment. Over the past two years, Emelander Family Farm has made some changes to their market offerings because of observations and needs. This year, they offer cooked ready to eat food. This serves two purposes. It allows for hungry market visitors to eat, but also always for the chance to try food that the community may not be exposed to. The best example of this is with the lamb brats that customers can now buy and try or buy frozen and cook at home. Clearly, education and accessibility are at the root of the vendors at the Albion Farmer’s Market.
Beyond fresh produce and meats, there are vendors like Taylor’s Kitchen and the Foundry Bakehouse & Deli that are bringing an artisanal flare. Taylor’s Kitchen offers baked goods from cake pops to cookies, but really the Albion Farmer’s Market serves as great exposure for her business, a local baker. It has allowed her to build connections with people who consistently come to the market as well as show people her work.
An important aspect to the accessibility of Albion Farmer’s Market is the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and Double-Up programs. These initiatives aim to make fresh and healthy produce more accessible to low-income individuals and families in the United States. Many may be familiar with using SNAP benefits at the grocery store, but at the farmer’s market, individuals can obtain SNAP tokens to be used on any SNAP-eligible items throughout the market. The Albion Farmer’s Market also participates in the Double-Up program which matches a portion of SNAP benefits, up to $10, effectively doubling the purchasing power for fresh produce. Interested individuals simply can visit the market information table to learn more about how to use SNAP benefits to make their dollar go further in the market! As a food desert, access to fresh and affordable produce is needed in Albion to sustain a healthy community for all.
So, this Wednesday when you are thinking about what to do from 4PM – 7PM or planning your meals for the week, stop down at the Albion Farmer’s Market because like Megan Emelander said, “fresh food always tastes better!”
