Michigan offers a variety of summer delights for fruit and vegetable lovers
LANSING — Lansing area residents look forward to summer for warm weather and vacations, but it’s also time to enjoy nature’s bounty as the vines and trees bear plenty of delicious treats for everyone to enjoy.
Michigan is one of the most agriculturally diverse states in the United States, and its crop yields are reflected in local farmers markets and farms.
At the Meridian Township Farmers Market, for example, which celebrates its 50th season this summer, up to 60 vendors offer fresh produce, meat, coffee, soaps and baked goods for sale.
“A good farmers market has to have a lot of local vendors, not necessarily from the Meridian Township area, but from all over the state of Michigan,” said Marisha Curtis., a 23-year-old Haslett resident who occasionally shops at farmers markets.
The Meridian Township Market, one of many in the area, is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with live music and every Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. at 1995 Central Park Drive.
The market evolved during the pandemic as a safe place for friends and family to gather and enjoy each other’s company and has since grown, offering more booths, food trucks and sustainability activities such as composting, said market manager Tom Cary.
“It was an investment by the community,” Cary said. “The only reason it’s here is because everyone keeps coming back.”
Vendors on July 6 included local businesses such as Diemer’s Farm, Mac’s Market, Mycophile’s Garden, English Flower Farm and San Fili Meats, offering items such as homemade jams, herbs, mushrooms, flowers and sausages.
“I’ll be back,” said Julie Benzie, 71, of East Lansing, as she left the market with a heavy bag full of cucumbers, jalapeno cheddar bread, blueberries, radishes and scallions.
While the region’s markets offer a wide selection in one place, you may also prefer to pick your own produce, and there are a number of locations to do so.
Charlotte’s Atlas Orchards, 3400 Maurer Road, is offering pick-your-own blueberries, peaches and apples through July 14, according to the company’s Facebook page. In Williamston, Schafer Raspberries, 4340 Beeman Road, is offering pick-your-own raspberries.
In St. Johns, at Phillips Orchards, 1174 W. Gratiot Countyline Road, guests can pick peaches in mid-July and August, according to the orchard’s Facebook page.
Find out when Michigan fruits and vegetables are ready to pick and eat, according to the Michigan Availability Guide.
July: Apricots, cherries, raspberries, eggplants and cabbage
August: Cucumbers, beets, cauliflower, tomatoes, cantaloupe and watermelon
September: Corn, peppers, apples, grapes, nectarines and plums
October: Pumpkins, turnips and squash
November: Brussels sprouts, celery, onions, potatoes and beets
Michigan is the nation’s largest producer of tart cherries, dried black beans, cranberry beans and baby red beans, asparagus, cucumbers and squash. Michigan is the nation’s third largest producer of blueberries.
Contact Sarah Moore at [email protected]
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