There’s nothing like a fall farmers market, and there’s no better way to enjoy all the freshest Michigan fruits and vegetables. Here are some tips on getting the most out of the season.
Enjoy the season!
As school starts up again and we settle into our fall routines, be sure to make going to your local farmers market part of the schedule. Michigan is one of the nation’s top producers of apples, and we have some of the best orchards and cider mills in the country. The best place to tap into the locally grown wonders of our state is at your local farmer’s market. Here are some tips on getting the most out of the season.
Eating local and in season.
When produce is “in season,” it’s not only abundant, but also at its peak of taste and quality. In Michigan, some popular foods that are in season in the fall include apples, pumpkins, parsnips, broccoli, sweet potatoes, and winter squash. Keep your eye out for these foods throughout the fall and talk to the vendors at your farmers market to see what they recommend; they’ll always know their produce best!
Baked goods and cheeses and honey… oh my!
Outside of the fresh local produce, farmers markets also often have a wide variety of locally made prepared foods. You may be able to catch a specialty loaf from a local bakery, a breakfast sandwich to eat while you shop, jams and preserves made from Michigan fruit, or even some locally produced honey.
Your local farmers market
If you’re looking for your next weekend farmers market adventure, here is a rundown of some of the great markets in Metro Detroit:
- Ann Arbor Farmers Market – Open Wednesdays until December & Saturdays, year-round
- Birmingham Farmers Market – Open Sundays until mid-October
- Clarkston Area Farmers Market – Open Saturdays until October 11
- Eastern Market (Detroit) – Open Sundays, year-round
- Farmington Farmers Market – Open Saturdays until November 1
- Northville Farmers Market – Open Thursdays until October 30
- Oakland County Farmers Market – Open Tuesdays and Thursdays until December & Saturdays, year-round
- Rochester Farmers Market – Open Saturdays until October 25
- Royal Oak Farmers Market – Open Fridays until October 17 & Saturdays, year-round
- Saline Farmers Market – Open Saturdays, year-round
Making a trip to the orchard
Michigan has no shortage of beautiful apple orchards and cider mills. Many of them can be found at your local farmers market, but visiting in person makes for a great trip. Many orchards and cider mills host fall activities on the weekends, like hayrides and corn mazes, making it a fun outing for the whole family—on top of picking your own fresh apples and pumpkins, and enjoying freshly made cider and donuts.
Storing your fresh produce
Storing a beautiful fruit bowl on your kitchen counter is a great way to encourage your family to eat more fruit. Most fruits and vegetables are best left out on the counter, cleaned and ready to eat. Put them in a fruit bowl in the shade. Don’t use plastic wrap, but you can use a paper bag to help ripen fruit that needs it. But that can sometimes lead to the appearance of fruit flies. The best way to keep them from suddenly appearing is to fully rinse, dry, and inspect everything before you put it in the bowl. There are commercial fruit and vegetable washes available, but many experts contend that a thorough rinsing is sufficient.