Troy Farmers Market is back in season

TROY — The Troy Farmers Market is returning for its sixth year on Fridays throughout the summer at Jeanne M. Stine Community Park.

The first date for the market this year will be Friday, June 16. The park, located at 241 Town Center Drive, has hosted the farmers market since last year. It offers a variety of local produce, handmade goods and Michigan-made products in an outdoor setting.

“This is our sixth year,” said Cindy Stewart, the city’s community affairs director and the manager of the Troy Farmers Market. “We changed our times a bit this year to 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. We kept it going through COVID, since it was all outside. It’s another great thing about shopping outside.”

Jacqueline Weber is the owner of Junie Pie’s Baking Co., from Madison Heights, and has been a vendor at the Troy Farmers Market since its first year. She said Troy’s farmers market is one of the best she has seen, not only for its variety of produce and products, but also for its atmosphere.

“The Troy Market is my favorite market I participate in,” she said. “It has such a sense of family — not only the people who run it but just the people of Troy in general. I look forward to it starting in the off-season each year. It’s a great market because they have such a great variety of vendors and products. It’s always new and fresh.”

Numerous growers and vendors will offer their wares to customers. Some new additions this year include fresh produce from Honey Blossom Homestead, mushrooms from The Mush Hub, microgreens from RootsUp, and baked goods from The Little Donut Factory.

“We have a lot of Michigan-grown produce, but we also have unique food items: fresh pasties, homemade baked goods, fresh mushrooms, wine, homemade pasta, jams and jellies, cookies, breads, honey and eggs,” said Stewart. “The Freeman Meat Co. is a favorite. This year we have a new mushroom vendor, too. All of it is made in Michigan and fresh.”

More information on the Troy Farmers Market can be found by going to https://troymi.gov/community/troy_farmers_market/index.php.

A more recent addition to the Troy Farmers Market are food trucks. Captain Kernel Ice Cream as well as a food truck offering barbecue selections will be on hand at the first market of the season June 16. Notch’yo Nachos, Cousins Maine Lobster, Buck-N-Dink’s BBQ, and Hearth, Wood & Fire Pizza are also planned to be featured at different days throughout the season.

Weber said having options like farmers markets is important, especially these days, when it can be difficult to know exactly what is in many foods and where they come from.

“It’s important to know where your food comes from and what you are putting into your body,” explained Weber. “You don’t have to question that at a farmers market. Many don’t use pesticides, and much of the food is organic. We are super picky at my company, for instance, about ingredients. Plus, you are supporting your own community. I love to see that aspect put into action. It’s great for customers and great for vendors.”

Stewart hopes people in the community who have not tried out the farmers market will give it a try and see why it has been such a hit in the city the last few years.

“It’s great to be able to go on a Friday morning to pick up some fresh, just-picked fruits and vegetables, as well as unique food items from friends and neighbors,” she remarked. “You can even get some fresh cut flowers. It’s a great way to support local businesses and growers. You can skip the hustle and bustle of the grocery store. We’ll have food trucks so you can get some tasty meals with the family while you enjoy our Jeanne Stine Park.”