Buying Local at the Richland Farmer's Market

Since our goal is to Buy Local in Richland, Michigan I thought, what a better topic than the Richland Farmer’s Market!  Now that’s taking the ‘eat local’ concept one step beyond the restaurant to buy fresh goodies for your home table. 

I make it a point to get to the market almost every week and fortunately my schedule allows me to get there just after opening so I get the best selection of everything the market has to offer. 

My first stop is always to get a nice cold glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade to keep me cool and quenched while I shop. You see, there is a young lady who makes and sells it to fund her summer camps. It always makes me feel good to help a young entrepreneur. 

My next stop is the Fruit Man from Ferndale. He is typically on the right side about 3 booths in and in my book, he has the best fruit around. This week I picked up a 10 pound box of blueberries which I will freeze to enjoy this winter. I also grabbed peaches and huge, beautiful blackberries. Yumo!

Next, I picked up a peck of pickles from the folks at Russell Farms to make Sun Pickles. They also offered zucchini, onions, beets, tomatoes, cucumbers, and so much more!

Next thing I know, I'm at Jane’s booth where she sells hydroponically grown wasabi. Yes, you heard me right, wasabi. No, not that green horseradish stuff you get at many restaurants! This is the real thing which is actually a rhizome that you simply grate to add a bit of heat (without the sinus clearing action of the green paste). She also sells the leaves which make a lovely pesto and the stems which are fabulous in a salad or (I’m told) a bloody mary!

In addition to lots of fresh fruits and veggies, there are ready-to-eat items. Succulent pasties, spicy tamales with chips and hot sauce and local honey are just a few items. I am in love with the strawberry cupcakes from Sweet Helen’s and I always pick up a bag of Kahoona Kitchen’s freshly made granola bars. 

There are even booths with fresh meats, jerky, colorful scarves and organic soaps. 

As I was leaving, The Hoot Owls were just beginning to fluff their feathers and I wished I could stay to listen, but it was time to get home and put away my haul. 

The market is open every Wednesdays from 3 - 6 pm through Mid-October. It’s conveniently located behind the Gull Lake Middle School on M-89 in Richland where there is plenty of room for both booths and parking. 

What are you waiting for?

Here's to enjoying the bounty of God's green earth. Blessings to all!

Miriam