A Need for a Marketplace

Throughout Michigan, in communities large and small, from May through October you will be able to find a community farmers’ market. A farmers’ market offers patrons a selection of local products such as fresh vegetables, humanely raised meats and artisan products such as breads, honey and handcrafted goods. The markets bring people into the area, usually a “downtown”, providing economic opportunity for vendors as well as boosting local economies as patrons flow from the market to local businesses for a cup of coffee, lunch or shopping. There are many benefits to a community farmer’s market however; starting one is not always an easy endeavor. Some citizens may feel there is not a need for a market in their community, feel a market would not be able to sustain itself or may not welcome the extra traffic. Even facing opposition, communities often benefit from a well organized farmers’ market. One community in particular, Grass Lake, consisting of both the village and township, will be the focus of discussion.

The Village of Grass Lake, the first community you will come into upon entering Jackson County, is a small village a few blocks long. The Local businesses, to name just a few, include Reed’s Baber Shop, Grass Lake Video, Missy’s Little Grass Shack, Ryan’s Restaurant, Copernoll’s Hardware, Frank’s Market, and The Grand Illusion as well as other interesting places. Most of the businesses in the Village are small local businesses, not franchises, corporations or “big box” stores. Outside the village limits, in the Township of Grass Lake, the landscape still remains semi-rural, with open spaces, woodlands, and some small farms. In total there are approximately fifty-five hundred residents in the Village and Township of Grass Lake. (Grass Lake Charter Township)

The community of Grass Lake as well as surrounding areas would benefit from a well organized farmers’ market in a number of ways. The market, as discussed earlier, is good for the economics of the community both for vendors and local business. It provides a resource for quality fresh local produce and meats as well as other goods. A market in Grass Lake would also provide a sense of community to its citizens, providing a place for locals to gather on a weekly basis. Patrons of the market would have a chance to get to know the local vendors, those who would be growing their food, as well as have an opportunity to establish new relationships in the community through familiarity.

The benefits of buying local produce, meats, honey and other products go beyond the community. Since food does not have to travel hundreds and even sometimes thousands of miles to the consumer we are saving natural resources. Buying meats raised locally and humanely can help bring an end to the ugliness of overcrowded, unsanitary feed lots and poultry operations. Purchasing locally grown produce is a safe guard to all of agriculture by keeping the gene pool of our fruits and vegetables more diverse.

There have been past attempts to establish a market in Grass Lake. These however have been short lived. Research shows that this is most likely because the past attempts did not meet the criteria for a successful market. Some of those criteria include location, promotion, the right vendors and the right management. (O'Neil) A market needs to be in a location that is visible and accessible; the market also needs to be well promoted so the people know the facts of when and where the market is taking place. There needs to be a balanced mix of vendors so that the customers have a variety of choices.

There may be a need or want for a market in the community but it takes organization and management to implement and run a successful market place. This is the first and toughest obstacle when starting up a new market. The market will not run itself, there must be willing participants to manage the needs of the market.

Vendors in any market can be more successful and help in sustaining a community market if they practice good selling strategies. Vendors should have available, quality, fresh and clean goods. Their products should be competitively priced; a market does open up opportunity for competition. Displays should be neat as well as the vendor have a good attitude and nice personal appearance. (Parcell, McKelvey and Hendrickson)

Establishing a market in the community may be met with some opposition from farmers that already have an established business and clientele. Local market farmer, Joan Lutchka, in a recent interview, has said about roadside stands, “the market is saturated, there is not room for any more”. A local market however would provide an outlet for the smaller farmer or artisan to sell their goods. It would open up competition and also offer the consumer some new selections of product not currently available at the roadside stands in the area. If another attempt at a farmers’ market is to be made in the community it will have to be well organized and meet the criteria for a successful market in order to sustain itself. (O'Neil)

By establishing a market in the community the small acreage farmer and artisans would benefit greatly. By having an outlet in which to promote and sell goods the small acreage farmer could possibly bring in up to eighty cents per square foot of tillable land. This can amount to thirty six-thousand dollars per acre if farmed intensively. (Lee and Foreman) This would provide the farmer with an extra income or even allow him or her the chance to become financially independent.

The community market would help established farmers in the area. By concentrating vendors to one location, people in the community could gain awareness of those vendors who sell their goods outside of the farmers’ market. Patrons could then shop at the farm if needed during those days the community market is not open. It would also help establish good relationships and give people a chance to see where their food is coming from.

Establishing a market will bring extra traffic into the community on Saturday morning or in the evening during the week depending on when the market would operate. This may not be welcome by some of the citizens of the community. In order to combat this opposition it is crucial that a market be established in the right location, a location that offers vendors an access for setup and tear down as well as ample parking for customers. The market location should be seen as people drive through the town. If this is not feasible ample signage should be made so that everyone knows about the market and its location.

All living things, namely people, need food to survive. The majority of people seek the best in the clothes they wear, the car they drive, the place they live and the schools they attend. The same effort is not always applied to the foods we eat, often we settle for drive-thru over a sit-down meal, or something out of a can or box rather than making a meal from scratch. A well organized farmers’ market in the Grass Lake community would allow area residents to purchase the best healthy local produce, meats and artisan wares from vendors they know. Vendors and local business establishments would be blessed with economic gain and a better sense of community would be established. A well organized farmers’ market would be a benefit to the whole community.

Works Cited

O'Neil, David. "Making Places." October 2005. Project for Public Spaces. 17 November 2009 .

Parcell, Joe, Bill McKelvey and Mary Hendrickson. "Selling Strategies for Local Producers." December 2005. Michigan Farmers' Market Association. 17 November 2009 .

Grass Lake Charter Township. "Frequently Asked Questions." 8 December 2009. Grass Lake Charter Township. 8 December 2009 .

Lee, Andy and Patricia Foreman. "How I Built A $36,000 Business In My Backyard." Lee, Andy and Patricia Foreman. Backyard Market Gardening. Good Earth Publications, INC., 2005. 23-33.

Chickens being allowed to roam the garden in the fall on a small farm in Grass Lake.