Ferndale Farmers Market no longer scheduled for this year

FERNDALE — It doesn’t appear that the second iteration of the Ferndale Farmers Market will happen this year.

The Ferndale Farmers Market was in the process of getting underway for next month, as it had begun taking applications for vendors in February. It was scheduled to begin on May 12 outside The Rust Belt Market and run every other Sunday until the end of September.

According to Michael Fraley, owner of The Flower Project, he was told the market isn’t happening.

Fraley originally was going to act as the market manager for the farmers market, but, as he put it, a personal decision was made by Rust Belt that led him to leave this role.

When he informed the Rust Belt owners that he wasn’t going to be involved with the Farmers Market, Fraley was told that the event wouldn’t be happening at all.

“I sent an email to all the vendors putting Chris (Best), one of the owners of the Rust Belt, (as the contact) and letting him know that I was writing that I’ve informed other vendors that I’ve resigned and that they could reach out to him to get further details on what will happen next,” he said.

“His response was essentially … ‘I have no interest in managing the farmers market in the pavilion, nor will I be responding to emails from vendors. Best of luck to you,’” Fraley continued.

Best could not be reached for comment on the status of the farmers market.

The first Ferndale Farmers Market was held last year, also at The Rust Belt Market. For its second year, the market looked to expand and diversify its selection of goods offered. It was to house products such as arts and crafts, as well as prepared products like honey and jam, plus vegetables, fruits and flowers.

“I think (the cancellation is) sad for the community, because I think it’d be really great for Ferndale,” Fraley said.