The Southeast Area Farmer’s Market is hosting the Fried Green Tomato Festival during market hours this Saturday! From 12-2pm, our market manager Ms. Belinda will be teaching cooking demos and handing out free green tomato cook books.
This weeks vendors:
Moore Gardens & Farm ~ produce & cottage kitchen
GR Food Co-op~ produce
Remember When ~ produce & cottage kitchen
UMCH Fresh Market~ produce
Nettie’s
BGB Bags
Dan B’s
Darius Sweeties
Are you looking for a smaller, slow paced, friendly space to buy your fresh local Michigan produce? Stop by the Southeast Area Farmers Market this month, Aug. 10 and Aug. 24 at MLK Park from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Special events this month: Aug. 10, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks Tree Identification Tour, 12 – 2 p.m.; Aug. 24, Fried Green Tomato Festival.
Our Kitchen Table’s mission for the Southeast Area Farmers Market is to increase access to healthy foods in Grand Rapids’ southeast neighborhoods, where food apartheid is apparent. To accomplish that goal, we have brought on a new farmer as a vendor and, and we’re partnering with both New City Farm and The Grand Rapids Food Co-op.
To help us celebrate our opening day, the Grand Rapids Fire Department is deploying a firetruck to MLK Jr. Park during the market. Youngsters (and the rest of us) will be able to look inside and see it up close!
In addition to vending fresh produce, the Food Co-op will also host an information table and inviting patrons to join this a community-owned grocery that will be established soon. The cost for a lifetime household membership is:
Scholarships are available by request for people who can’t afford either.
All members receive the same benefits: one vote per household for who sits on the co-op board; member-only deal days; and profit sharing when store is profitable. A Supportive Business Program may also provide members discounts at participating businesses and educational opportunities.
On Saturday, OKT food garden coach and Southeast Area Farmers Market Manager Belinda Henderson and E.D. Lisa Oliver-King distributed hundreds of food plants to participants growing food in their yards as well as food gardens OKT is growing with students and parents/caregivers at Grand Rapids Public Schools Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy and Campus Elementary as well as Kentwood Public Schools Glenwood Elementary. A special thank you to our fabulous SEAFM set-up man, Bert, for delivering the plants to the schools!
Some years back, OKT created this booklet, “Growing Food, Eating Healthy, Living Sustainably.” We recently updated it a bit. Feel free to print, share, and use the information within. You’ll find growing tips, recipes, food justice information, and more.
The Southeast Area Farmers Market has offered bulk food buying opportunities for many years. We order these bulk foods from Country Life Natural Foods. You can order bulk foods from Country Life individually, too. If you spend $99, shipping is free. Ordering nutrient-dense foods in bulk can hep you stretch your food budget and eat healthier.
Here is a video from Country Life that teaches how to store those bulk foods when you order them.
Click here to watch a video on how to store the bulk food items you order.
Started in 1960, Country Life Natural Foods is a wholesale and retail distributor of fresh, natural and quality foods. They love providing great foods and teaching people how to make those foods. They’re owned by a non-profit focused on helping you discover great ways to optimal mental, physical and spiritual health.
Our Kitchen Table has planted food gardens at Grand Rapids Public Schools Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy and Kentwood Public Schools Glenwood Elementary School, where several refugee families are growing vegetables and herb varieties that they selected themselves. Many households from both schools have opted to grow food at their residences, as well.
In addition, OKT is planting gardens with Arbor Circle Arbor Circle and Hope Network adult foster care homes and the Butterfly House, a residential group home for people living with HIV/AIDS.
The Southeast Area Farmers Market kicked in July with fresh produce from the Wilson Family Farm, a Black-owned farm in Hopkins that’s been owned by the same farmers for 50 years. Stop by the Market this month!
MLK Jr. Park, 900 Fuller Ave. SE 49506
11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday Aug. 5 & 19.
On Aug. 19, we plan to offer advice on fall food gardening with tips on extending the growing season in container gardens.
SNAP, Bridge Cards, WIC, & DUFB warmly welcomed!
Our Kitchen Table launched its Program for Growth at two schools in May. We are again growing food with parents, caregivers, and students at Grand Rapids Public Schools Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy and Kentwood Public Schools Glenwood Elementary School.
The photos show students, parents, and OKT food garden coaches planting the new food gardens.
The gardens provides programs for students in grades K-12, including garden education during school and as part of after-school and summer programs. Students grow food on school grounds, integrate garden activities into their curricula, and save and share seeds with community.
Our Kitchen Table 