Ferndale Farmers Market Returning in May, Accepting Vendor Applications
(Elizabeth Schanz, Feb. 7, 2024)
Ferndale, MI – The Ferndale Farmers’ Market is coming to fruition as the event enters its second season.
Ferndale Farmers’ Market event organizers are currently accepting vendor applications to be a part of the market until March 15. The Ferndale Farmers’ Market season will begin on May 12 and the market will run every other Sunday until the end of September. The event aims to be a place for local businesses to find their way into the Ferndale community.
Like last year, the Ferndale Farmers Market will take place in the Rust Belt Market’s covered pavilion. The Market Manager for the Ferndale Farmers’ Market Michael Fraley said the Rust Belt has been “really implemental” to make this market happen and shares similar goals in promoting the market.
“My first and foremost goal this year is that the pavilion is completely full of vendors selling products either they grow or they make themselves,” Fraley said.
Fraley said the market is looking for a “good mix of vendors” including locally grown produce, baked goods and handmade crafts. He said the Ferndale Farmers’ Market is also working to make sure there are fewer duplicates of the same product across vendors and the application states “no more than two vendors will be allowed with the same items.” For instance, there will only be two vendors allowed to sell bread. This is meant to ensure that there is a wider range of different products.
However, vendors who grow produce are not limited and all fruit and vegetable vendors, even if the products overlap, can be part of the market. Fraley emphasized that one of the key elements of the farmers’ market is the fresh, locally sourced produce.
“My biggest thing is they have to be making it themselves,” Fraley said. “If you are reselling, to me, you should not be at a farmers market. So you have to be growing it or making it yourself.”
Additionally, Fraley said he also wants to prioritize vendors that are locally sourcing ingredients for their products from Michigan.
Fraley, in addition to being the Ferndale Farmers’ Market manager, is also going to be a vendor at the event. Fraley and his partner’s, Brent Grant, business is called The Flower Project. They grow seasonal hand-cut flowers 10 months out of the year in their backyard or hydroponically in their basement. They curate unique flower options that offer flower buyers a high-quality, locally grown option.
“You can go to Kroger’s a buy some tulips. Nothing compares to the double and parrot tulip varieties that I’m able to throw out and supply to people. So I just think that makes a world of difference,” Fraley said.
He said the ability to share his business and product in the Ferndale community, both in his business and in the Farmers’ Market, is incredibly valuable personally and professionally
“I think for us more than anything, it’s the exposure to the community to know who we are,” Fraley said. “I think it just makes a world of difference to have access to these, really, stunning beautiful flowers. Flowers make everyone happy. They bring joy to people’s lives.”
Although the Ferndale Farmers’ Market has only been a part of the Ferndale community for about a year, Fraley said the event is gaining traction and interest. He noted that when he posted in community Facebook groups to promote the market many people commented “it’s about time” or that they “really wanted this.”
“To me, it (the farmers’ market) fits in with the community like we’re funky Ferndale. We’re this community made up of Independent businesses and having a farmers’ market here locally I think really adds to the overall community,” Fraley said.
Fraley said any questions about the market can be directed to his email theflowerprojectmi@gmail.com.
