The Benton Harbor Farmers Market will be reopening for the season this month.
Berrien County Health Officer Guy Miller tells us it’s been 14 years since the Berrien County Health Department started the market as a way to help Benton Harbor residents access fresh produce.
“We will be down there promoting agricultural vendors with fresh fruits and vegetables who grow or raise or harvest produce fruits in our local area,” Miller said. “We also have some dairy products, meat, poultry, grains, and other crops. We also allow farmers down there to do value-added, so vendors selling foods prepared by a licensed food facility or foods covered like baked goods under the cottage food laws.”
Miller says Benton Harbor is traditionally a fruit market, but with no grocery stores in town, access to healthy foods is limited. The farmers market helps to address that. Also, they have partner agencies on hand offering access to support services.
“We want to just provide more people an opportunity to get educated on the healthy fruits and vegetables being grown locally to encourage people to eat healthy fruits and vegetables.”
Miller says there will be artisans on hand with all kinds of wares for sale, along with activities for the kids.
The Benton Harbor Farmers Market resumes for the year on Wednesday, June 19, and will be held each Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through September 15 at Dwight P. Mitchell City Center Park.
Interested vendors are encouraged to contact the health department as it is free to set up at the market.
