Farmers Markets - WKTV Journal

By WKTV Staff
greer@wktv.org

The Godwin Mercado Farmers Market, presented by University of Michigan Health-West, will kick off its first season beginning Sunday, May 3, through October 25. The market will run on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering residents access to fresh, locally sourced goods, prepared foods, and
community activities.

The opening day will feature a variety of activities for all ages, including farmers market bingo, yard games, and a visit from the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum’s Kids Can! Van. Attendees also can take advantage of free blood pressure checks provided by UM Health-West.

A selection of food trucks will be on-site for the opening day, including Casa de los Abuelos, PizzaMI, and Runyon Roasts. Casa de los Abuelos will also serve as a seasonal food truck throughout the market season, offering favorites such as tacos, pupusas, burritos, quesadillas, and asada fries.

The market will feature a diverse lineup of seasonal vendors, including:

DADS Treats – Homemade dog treats made with human-grade ingredients and
no additives or preservatives
Daily Dough LLC – Sourdough bread, cookies, and scones
Joe’s Happy Acres Farm – Pasture-raised eggs, chicken, turkey (seasonal),
and grass-finished beef, goat, and lamb
Mixed Bag Farm – Vegetable and herb plants, flowers, and a wide variety of
fresh produce
The Pease Family Farm – Beef, lamb, and eggs
Mini Delights LLC – Cookies, cupcakes, pies, banana pudding, brownies, and
cheesecake cups
Boeket LLC – Fresh-cut flowers
Phoenician Spice Company – Spices, sauces, pita chips, za’atar, and olive oil
The Great Bread Company – Artisan breads, pastries, and baked goods
Mike and Beth’s Nature Portraits – Wildlife and nature photography
Kate Lewis Ceramics – Handmade pottery including mugs, bowls, plates, and
decorative items

The Godwin Mercado Farmers Market continues to serve as a vibrant community
gathering space, supporting local farmers, artisans, and small businesses while
promoting healthy living and community connection.

Please note the market will be closed on the following dates: May 24, July 5, and
September 6.

Wyoming Godwin Mercado. (WKTV/Deborah Reed)

For more information about the market, vendor opportunities, rentals or weekly updates,
please visit godwinmercado.com or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/godwinmercado.

By Cris Greer

WKTV Managing Editor

greer@wktv.org

It’s a new location and a new manager for the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Farmers Market, which begins on Friday, June 14 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. and runs through Oct. 11.

The new location is 1100 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW, Grand Rapids, and the new Farmers Market Manager is Yeli Romero, a WYCE 88.1 Radio Host and a new volunteer host of the WKTV Journal Soundbites Espanol program.

“I am excited to be the new manager of Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Farmers Market because I love being part of my community and helping local farmers showcase their products,” Romero said. “Seeing our community come together, supporting one another, and enjoying healthy food is something I’m truly passionate about.

“I believe that by working together, we can create a vibrant, thriving market that benefits everyone. It’s not just about the food, but about building relationships and strengthening our local economy.”

(Image Courtesy, Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association)

Join in on the excitement of the community-based farmers market that runs every Friday through Oct. 11. You can purchase all different kinds of fresh produce and prepared foods from the up to 15 local vendors (see list below). Shoppers can use their EBT Bridge cards to utilize SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks and WIC Project Fresh benefits.

Shop local with over 15 vendors at the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Farmers Market. (Image Courtesy, Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Farmers’ Market)

According to Amy Brower, Executive Director of the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association, the concept for a community-based farmers market started in 2017 after the creation of the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association’s Area Specific Plan (ASP) for the Grandville Avenue Corridor.

“The Kent County Health Department provided a grant to help the RPNA get the market established in 2018,” Brower continued. “In 2020, the market received a Michigan Health Endowment Fund grant to build the capacity of the market and add food assistance benefits so that shoppers could utilize their SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks, WIC Project Fresh and Senior Project Fresh benefits at the market.”

Over the years, the market has taken place in a variety of locations within the neighborhood, first located at 900 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW and later moving to Roberto Clemente Park.

“This year the market will be moving to 1100 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW so that the vendors will be more visible on the main corridor in the neighborhood,” Brower explained. “The mission of the Roosevelt Park Farmers Market is to provide a community gathering space where local farmers can sell affordable, local food directly to consumers while promoting sustainable agriculture and advancing health in the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood.”

If you are a local vendor interested in selling your produce at the market, contact RPNA at 616-243-2489 or info@rooseveltparkna.org

Interested in supporting the market as a sponsor? Please contact Amy at amy@rooseveltparkna.org or 616-243-2489.