By Staff
Consumers will soon have the opportunity to again purchase produce directly from area growers, as the new Dowagiac Farmers' Market opens in June in downtown Dowagiac.
Vickie Phillipson, program director for the Dowagiac Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, announced today that plans are underway to reinstate the market, following a four-year hiatus.
"The original farmers' market was introduced following streetscape construction during the early-1990s," Phillipson said. "During its 12 years of operation, a number of locations within the downtown were utilized, from what was then an undeveloped Beckwith Park to the parking stalls of the Dowagiac train depot."
The new market will be open June through August on Thursdays from 4 to 8:30 p.m.
It will be located in the central business district on Beeson Street, adjacent to Beckwith Park, where this community's summer concert series draws a weekly attendance of 150 to 200 people each Thursday.
"With the new Dowagiac Farmers' Market sharing the same venue as our successful and well-established Beckwith Park Summer Concert Series, which is now in its 12th year, growers will enjoy a wonderful clientele from the very onset," Phillipson said. "Offering the market one day a week will also streamline its energy, which will be of benefit to both the consumer and our growers."
"Following the conclusion of the concert series in late-August and based upon the input of our vendors, the DDA will then identify the best means of continuing the market into the fall harvest season," Phillipson said.
Quality fruit and vegetable growers from Cass, Berrien and Van Buren counties, along with producers of annual and perennial flowers and plants, are being recruited to join the new Dowagiac Farmers' Market.
Phillipson said the market is also open to vendors selling jam, honey, syrup, herbs, spices, tea and eggs.
Prepared foods, such as baked goods, are also welcome, along with some hand-made products of local origin, such as baskets, woodwork, soaps and candles. Nursery stock that is locally or regionally-grown, is also welcome, such as perennials, annuals, vegetable and bedding plants, herbs, trees and shrubs, and fresh-cut or dried flowers.