The Taylor Farmer’s Market is open for business from noon to 6 p.m. Fridays in Heritage Park’s Sheridan Center Open Air Pavilion.
TAYLOR — The Taylor Farmer’s Market is open for business from noon to 6 p.m. Fridays in Heritage Park’s Sheridan Center Open Air Pavilion.
This season’s market opened on June 7 with a new focus, under new management. The market is being managed through the Taylor Recreation Department, and includes new Market Manager Nicole Hellar.
Hellar is a veteran of Eastern Market in Detroit, where she serves as food access coordinator for Eastern Market Corp. She is a graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Agribusiness Management.
Hellar said she hopes to not only to keep the regular vendors at the market, but add a variety of new ones that would give it the type of feel that Eastern Market brings to the table. Taylor isn’t ever going to grow as large, she said, but it’s been a dominant figure Downriver among local market. Inside the 41,000-square-foot Sheridan Pavilion, the market has plenty of room for growth.
Over 20 vendors have signed up for this season’s market, and others may join the crowd as the season progresses. Included are such returners as Evie’s Tamale’s from Bagley Street in Detroit, which sells out almost every Friday at the market. Cochina’s GTO food truck also plans to be on hand, offering Mexican delights.
Thom Ouellette, who stepped down this year as market manager, returns to run the produce table supplied by the Blair Moody Elementary School greenhouse and other Taylor garden locations like the Goodwill Gardens in Heritage Park and a new garden located in the Heritage Park Petting Farm. The produce at this table, and others in the market like B & B Produce, are fresh and low priced.
Another popular vendor is the MI Cookie Project. Recently featured on Mitch Album’s “Heart of Detroit,” the Melvindale-based project provides hands-on work for individuals with developmental disabilities. Customers can talk to anyone at the table and find out how to order them online for cravings during the cold weather months when the market isn’t in session.
Every vendor at the market has its own story. The King Honey Farm offers honeys and jams, and Kitty Kat Creations offers gifts for loved ones (unless you are shopping for yourself). The Taylor Community Library has a table, and the Color Street vendors will do nails. Loves Custards will be joining the market, as will a houseplant vendor with offerings for $7 or less.
Market sponsor Beaumont Health always has a presence at the entrance to the market.
The market continues to offer the Power of Produce Program. The program provides an opportunity for children to engage in the local food system through exposure to new fruits and vegetables. POP children receive vouchers to spend at the market, allowing them to make their own shopping decisions – as long as they are choosing produce.
The market is planning a “pet day” sometime in July, after the Taylor Summer Festival. When it is scheduled, it will offer pet adoptions through the Taylor Animal Shelter, splash pad access for pets and their owners and even a photo area devoted just for them.
July 12 will also bring “Senior Days” to the market (noon to 3 p.m.) when the Senior Alliance will provide $20 Senior Market Fresh Vouchers to seniors who qualify for the giveaway. A shuttle will provide seniors round-trip transportation from the William Ford Senior Center to the market. Another “Seniors Day” will be held on Aug. 9.
Other market dates of note will include a classic car show July 19 and Zumba sessions July 12 and Aug. 9.
Admission and parking are free.
Vendors interested can contact Hellar at [email protected].
Source: City of Taylor