Shelby Township

May means open market

By Kristyne E. Demske
C & G Staff Writer

Shelby Township Farmers Market open for business

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A few sure signs of spring are popping up around town: tulips, hyacinths and the farmers market are all sure signs of the season.

The Shelby Township Farmers Market began its 2010 season May 1 at the Packard Proving Grounds, north of 22 Mile Road on Van Dyke Avenue. The Saturday market is making a change discovered when it extended into November in 2009, though — vendors can now go inside or out of the facility.

“It just doesn’t wreck it when it’s a pouring rain day,” said market manager Mary Anne Demo. “All that stuff, it only has a really short shelf life, and if it’s raining and people aren’t coming out in the rain, they’re stuck with all that produce.”

The market is moving away from Van Dyke Avenue, as well, back behind the gate on the grounds to enable vendors to use the building if they wish and to provide safer parking for patrons.

“I’m going to have a big banner up there kind of directing people,” Demo said. ‘There’s 20 acres back there, and we have way more room for parking. They can get closer to the building.

“I just don’t want people to drive by and think that we’re not there.”

The market begins this spring by offering plants for the garden, as well as crafts and some produce if farmers sell items they’ve grown in a greenhouse. The first vegetables of the season are spinach and asparagus, Demo said, adding “we just have to gradually move through the seasons of when things are ready. The first person that can have their outdoor tomatoes, they can get top dollar for those.”

Sharon Ostrowski of SharKar Farm in China, Mich., said she’ll be bringing about 160 different herb plants, as well as vegetable plants, the first few weeks of the market. She sells in Shelby, as well as at 10 other farmers markets throughout the area.

“In about June, we will be bringing in lettuces. As things start more and more, at the end of June, we’ll have strawberries, and we keep bringing in all the different vegetables as they get ready.”

Demo said there also are unique local businesses, like bread makers, bakers and those selling jams, jellies and soap that bring their wares to the market.

“In November, we had a new lady … and she sells fair trade, organic coffee that is just wonderful, (and) homemade soups,” Demo said. “There’s a lady that has Longaberger baskets.

“Most all of them (the vendors) that were there (last year) were coming back.”

John Carpenter is one of those vendors. The owner of Mumby’s Pie Co. in Rochester was at the market the entire season in 2009 and is happy to be bringing his freshly-sourced, mostly-organic treats back to the township.

“I get as much fruit from Michigan as I possibly can,” he said. “Right now, it’s apples and cherries, (and) they’re made locally. Everything is made from scratch. I use organic wheat flour, I use organic apple cider vinegar, whatever I can use organic, I do.”

Carpenter sells his pies out of Breadwinner Bakery in Rochester daily and online at mumbyp ie.com, but enjoys the Saturday-only market in Shelby Township.

“It’s a good way of getting your product out to the people,” said the Macomb Township resident. “It’s a new market and it’s growing, and you just get a very good cross section of people out there.”

He said the centralized location is also perfect for his new business, which he began last year at the insistence of his mother-in-law with $6 personal pies and $10 9-inch pies.

“I always made pies for family gatherings, and my mother-in-law said you ought to sell these things,” he said. “I got my license and … I did very well, and it’s grown ever since.”

Ostrowski said she sees potential in the Shelby Township Farmers Market.

“When you start a farmers market, there is always a break-in period,” she said. “Every week, come rain or shine, we’re there. If you’re not there, the people don’t come if they’re questioning if somebody’s going to be there. It’s a huge commitment on both sides, and I take that commitment seriously.

“I’m definitely willing to give it a chance. I’m very excited about it. I’m hoping it grows. I can see the potential there.”

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Kristyne E. Demske at kdemske@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1041.