Battle Creek Farmers Market returns to Festival Market Square May 17

BATTLE CREEK — The Battle Creek Farmers Market will once again bring people together through food in downtown's Festival Market Square beginning May 17.

This season marks the second under the management of Kellogg Arena. Market masters Kelly Walden and Rachel Ostrander say they're eager to build upon last year's growth.

"Last year, we started out with 10 vendors and at our last farmers market we had 28," Walden, sales and marketing manager for Kellogg Arena, explained. "We’re really hoping to get that same sort of traction (this year)."

The Battle Creek Farmers Market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday, May 17 through Oct. 11. The market features fresh, locally grown foods as well as local food vendors.

"We’re big on fresh food access and making sure that everybody in town has the ability to access fresh food," Ostrander said. "We’re trying to bridge that gap."

Those unable to catch the midweek market will have additional opportunities on Fridays and Mondays throughout the season.

Friday night markets featuring live music, food trucks and craft vendors — in addition to produce — will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. June 16, July 14, Aug. 18, Sept. 15 and Oct. 13.

Monday night markets, a first this year, will run from 4 to 7 p.m. June 12, July 10 and Aug. 14 with a variety of fresh produce and craft vendors, along with live music.

Additional information, including vendor applications, can be found at kelloggarena.com/farmersmarket.

Elsewhere, the Marshall Area Farmers Market opens its outdoor season Saturday at 125 E. Green St. in the city parking lot across from the Marshall District Library. The market is open from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. every Saturday through October.

The Albion Farmers Market begins May 17 and is open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. each Wednesday through September at Stoffer Memorial Plaza.

Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Battle Creek Farmers Market begins 2023 season May 17