Updated: Main Street Calumet to host Farmers and Artisans Market, opening July 1

CALUMET -- The new Farmers and Artisans Market, sponsored by Main Street Calumet, will begin its season with a GRAND OPENING on Friday, July 1, and run every Friday through October 14, 2011. The market hours are 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. in Calumet's Agassiz Park.

Calumet's Agassiz Park will be the scene of the Main Street Calumet Farmers and Artisans Market, which will have its GRAND OPENING on Friday, July 1. (Image courtesy Main Street Calumet)

"Everyone is really excited about the Farmers and Artisans Market," said Dylan Gerhart, market manager. "We will have a variety of fresh, locally grown produce and a fun, festive atmosphere with live music and demonstrations. Calumet is the artistic center of the Copper Country, and we have some great artisans participating. The Main Street Calumet Farmers and Artisans Market will have something for everyone."

The weekly cost to vendors is $10; the seasonal cost for the entire 16-week season is $60.

A meeting for all 2011 Farmers and Artisans Market vendors at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 29, in the Main Street Calumet Conference Room, 200 Fifth Street.

Prospective vendors should complete an application, available on the Main Street Calumet Web site.*

The Main Street Calumet Farmers and Artisans Market accepts Senior Project FRESH coupons and EBT Bridge Card (food stamps) for purchasing fresh vegetables and fruit.

Through Project FRESH, seniors age 60 and up with certain income eligibility can obtain $20 worth of coupons that can be used to purchase fresh produce in the farmers market.

"(Project FRESH) is designed in part to help seniors with their budget," says Mike Schira, Michigan State Extension district educator. "It encourages healthy eating habits, and it's meant to encourage more participation in our local farmers markets."

UPDATE: Beginning July 1, these Project FRESH coupons will be available at the Michigan State Extension Office, located at the Fairgrounds in Hancock. Mike Schira adds that the coupons should also be available soon, for those interested and eligible, through the Portage Health Senior Lunch program at several senior lunch meals locations in the Copper Country. Supplies of the coupons are limited. They are only available while the supply lasts.

The following are the senior lunch locations where the coupons may be available, with contact phone numbers:

Houghton County:

Arbor Green (906) 482-8667; Baltic Senior Center (906) 482-8111; Calumet Park Avenue (906) 337-3878; Chassell Fire Hall (906) 523-4000; Dollar Bay Lutheran Church (906) 482-8791; Lake Linden Maple Lanes (906) 296-0713; Lakeview Manor (906) 482-3252.

Keweenaw County: Keweenaw Pines (906) 337-3515.

Project FRESH coupons are also accepted in other local farmers' markets.

For information on the EBT Bridge Card (food stamps), click here.

To learn more about the Farmers and Artisans Market visit mainstreetcalumet.com or contact Dylan Gerhart, Market Manager, 200 5th St, Suite 201, Calumet, MI, 49913. Phone: (906)281-6302.

*Vendors, click here for the application form. See also the Market Rules on the Main Street Calumet Web site.