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Farmers’ Market at MLK Jr. Park 9/29

Sep27

IMG_1119Southeast Area Farmers’ Market
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays

MLK Jr. Park, Sept. 29 & Oct. 27 Franklin St. & Fuller Ave. SE 

LINC Parking Lot,
Oct. 6, 13, 20, Nov. 3 & 10
Madison Ave. north of Hall St. SE 

The Southeast Area Farmers’ Market provides a wide variety of local produce, cottage kitchen foods, personal care items, crafts and ready-to-eat foods. Our vendors are primarily women of color, home growers and residents of OKT’s targeted neighborhoods. In addition to providing access to healthy food, the market hosts meal preparation activities, workshops and guests from community organizations.We Bridge Card, SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks, WIC and many other assistance and coupon programs.

Women’s Summit for Southtown.

Sep24
sothownThe Women’s Network of Southtown is planning it’s first Women’s Summit for Southtown. It will be an opportunity to inspire, motivate and engage women on self awareness and living confidently. Events start at Madison Square Church, October 27, 2018 and proceed down Madison street.  This event will be the first of many to increase awareness and stimulate the economy of Southtown of Grand Rapids for the 49507.
If you are interested in helping this event in anyway, by offering gift bags, tokens for participants or even  sponsoring a woman to attend; please help us to  encourage and support the women of Southtown.
If you would like to be a  vendor, tables are available for $50; all vendors should reserve their spot by Oct 8, 2018. Reserve at: experiencesouthtown1@gmail.com

5 reasons to shop Southeast Area Farmers’ Market this weekend

Sep19
  1. 2018 flyerFresh is best for you and your family

Freshly picked, local produce has more flavor and more nutritional value than produce that’s grown far way, picked green, and transported hundreds or thousands of miles.

  1. You are helping build an alternative

The industrial food system feeds us nutrient-poor, chemical laden foods that cause a wide range of health problems. We need to build an alternative. You can start building it right here in Grand Rapids.

  1. You are helping Mother Earth

Local foods grown in living soil without chemicals do not contribute to global warming, environmental degradation, and the global health and environmental risks associated with GMOs.

  1. You get to know your neighbors

Yes, you can shop the market in less time than a fast-food drive-through, but why? Stick around, chat with our vendors, get acquainted with your neighbors and build community.

  1. Help reduce the stigma

The Southeast Area Farmers’ Market not only accepts food assistance dollars, we WELCOME them. Not because there is a profit to be made, but because healthy food is a human right. Everyone should be able to purchase healthy and whole food in our communities!

Learn about Planned Parenthood’s resources at Farmers’ Market Saturday

Sep12

unnamed (2)Southeast Area Farmer’s Market
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Sept. 15
LINC parking lot,
Madison Ave. north of Hall St. SE.
Bridge Cards, Double Up Food Bucks and WIC Welcome!

On Saturday Sept. 15, staff from Grand Rapids’ Planned Parenthood Irwin/Martin Health Center  will table at the market, providing information about the full range of affordable services that they offer area residents with or without health insurance.

Did you know that in addition to helping with women’s healthcare and contraception, the health center offers general healthcare, HIV testing, LGBT services, men’s healthcare, pregnancy testing and services and more?

In addition, Planned Parenthood’s trained educators offer comprehensive sex education that helps youth and others learn about sex and sexuality, explore values and beliefs about those topics ,and gain the skills that help them make healthy choices despite bullying or peer pressure. Statistics have proventhat comprehensive sex education is more effective than abstinence only programs in reducing teen pregnancies, abortions and STD rates.

OKT is proud to stand with Planned Parenthood!

GR Veg Fest folks to table at farmers’ market Sat. Sept 1

Aug30

Southeast Area Farmers’ Market,Saturdays 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
On Sept. 1, 8, 15 & 22 the market meets at LINC  Madison Ave. north of Hall St. SE 

poster-2018_headersize-copy-1-e1534247292667Volunteers from the Grand Rapids Veg Fest will be sharing resources at the Southeast Area Farmers’ Market on Saturday Sept. 1.

VegFest is an annual vegetarian food festival held in cities around the world to promote veganism and vegetarianism, healthy lifestyles, compassion for animals and conservation of the environment.

Grand Rapids is one of the most vegan friendly cities in the US with more than 40 identified vegan friendly restaurants in town and boasting one of the oldest, most active vegetarian Meetup groups.

Do you need to be vegan to attend? No! The goal of annual Grand Rapids Veg Fest is simple: to promote plant based diets for health, compassion, and conservation of the environment. With local and national vendors, nationally-recognized speakers and food samples galore, Vegfest is the place for vegans, vegetarians, or omnivores curious about the health benefits of a plant based diet

Local and national vegan businesses including foods, cosmetics, clothing and fashion, animal rights organizations, restaurants and wellness coaches will be at the Veg Fest. Exhibitors are encouraged to provide samples, sell products on site, promote their organization and recruit volunteers for their campaign. Attendees will be able to learn about new products, make connections with local vendors, watch plant based cooking demonstrations, attend lectures and receive the support and resources to learn how a plant based diet could work for them.

 

While OKT does not promote vegetarianism or veganism, we do recognize eating a plant-based diet as one of many strategies for growing food and environmental justice and decreasing the exploitation of people and animals.

City staff seeking residents’ input on South Corridor plan at Saturday’s market

Aug23

20171021_110742Southeast Area Farmers’ Market,
Saturdays 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
On Aug. 25, Sept. 1, 8, 15 & 22 the market meets at LINC  Madison Ave. north of Hall St. SE 

Staff from the City of Grand Rapids are coming to the Southeast Area Farmers’ Market Saturday to provide information and seek resident input on proposed improvements to its South Corridor.

The South Division, Burton, Hall, Grandville Avenue Corridor Improvement Authority is developing an action agenda for improving the lives of neighborhood residents.In addition to physical improvement projects, the Corridor Authority is looking at  education, safety, health, supportive social services and other things that can improve the lives of neighborhood residents.

For more information on the South Corridor project, read this article from Rapid Growth Media.

Farmers’ Market hours shift Saturday for Rhythm Run

Aug16

race36787-social1200x630.bBrIPMGRAAHI’s Rhythm Run 5K takes place this Saturday at MLK Jr. Park. To honor the run’s focus on healthy living, getting fit and raising awareness of the benefits of making healthy choices, the Southeast Area Farmers’ Market will shift its hours to 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Some vendors will stay later–others might be running or walking in the event!

Planned Parenthood of West Michigan is tabling at the market Saturday, as well. Stop by to learn about the many healthcare services that PPWM offers area women, youth and 14021690_1263886476963384_2948188631749601892_n-1men.

The 2018 Rhythm Run will offer a variety of health inspired activities including a Kid’s Fun Run, 5k walk/run, health fair, light refreshments and a variety of fun kid activities. After the run, GRAAHI and the Urban Core Collective (UCC), will host a community Park Party to inspire people of all fitness levels to increase or start their fitness goals.

Park attendees will have the option to join us for a yoga stretch, visit the health and wellness tent, Zumba, dancing, live entertainment, the kid zone, and the Rhythm Run.

 

Southeast Area Farmers’ Market hosting MobileGR Saturday at MLK Jr Park

Aug10

 

mobile-gr-graphicSoutheast Area Farmer’s Market
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at MLK Jr. Park

We warmly welcome SNAP, Bridge Cards, WIC  and Doube Up Food Bucks!

When you’re picking up your delicious fresh produce at the market Saturday, stop and chat with Mobile GR staff to discover how you can be more mobile in GR.

Mobile GR provides  Grand Rapids residents, workers, and visitors with 21st Century Mobility. In addition to managing street parking, ramps, and lots, Mobile GR is working to broaden transportation options and strengthen those in place. According to the City of Grand Rapids website,

“We know social justice, economic development, and transportation depend on each other’s success. We work to improve our quality of life by getting more people to use active transportation. We want to help expand people’s options so they can choose to take transit, walk, bike, carpool, or drive alone.”