The Farmers Market is open, so it's almost time for Farmers Night Market

When the best parts of a festival, farmers market, and a food truck rally come together it must be the Farmers Night Market in Kalamazoo.

Night Markets at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market will be from 6 to 10 p.m. June 16, July 21, Aug. 18, and Sept. 15. 

At the opening of the Night Market, on June 16, Zion Lion presents live music to entertain market goers.

Fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, cheeses and other market items will be for sale. Beer and wine sales will benefit local food incubator the Can-Do Kitchen, which recently obtained its nonprofit status. There will also be a bike valet.

And for those who find four night markets are just not enough, this year a fifth Night Market at the Ballpark is scheduled for July 14 at the Mayors Riverfront Park. The evening will feature vendors and a wide variety of foods and artisan goods on the Growlers baseball field. The event is a collaboration with the Kalamazoo Growlers baseball team. 

Many vendors at the Night Markets accept SNAP benefits. There also are many produce vendors who accept Double Up Food Bucks, a program that matches SNAP Bridge Card purchases of Michigan-grown fruit and vegetables dollar-for-dollar. This season, vendors are accepting WIC Project FRESH and Market FRESH Coupons. Local farmers sell more produce and low-income shoppers can afford to buy more produce than they would have through the Food Bucks program.

On the June 16 Night Market opener, People’s Food Co-op also will have its annual meeting. PFC has been building a locally-focused food community since 1970. It has nearly 3,000 member-owners who have invested in the business. 

Source: People’s Food Co-op