Fresh from the field: Local farmers markets rock summer season

OTTAWA COUNTY — Summer has officially arrived in West Michigan, and with it, the vibrant return of Ottawa County’s local farmers markets.

With local farmers markets near every nook of Ottawa County, there is always something to explore.

Matt Vander Velde, co-manager of the Grand Haven market and owner of Happy Matt’s Kettlecorn, said markets allow for growers to sell their produce directly to the consumer rather than to wholesalers who would then sell to a major grocery store. 

“The growers really do send the best of their stuff to the farmers market,” said Vander Velde. 

Markets for many farmers are a way to sell the best of what they have; Visser Farms, a local family-owned farm in its fifth generation, sells a variety of 150 products year-round and sells at multiple markets each year. 

The farm started in 1902, after the Staal family immigrated from the Netherlands and purchased land in Jenison. Over a hundred years later, the farm is run by Megan Visser and her husband and the farm has gone from solely selling at markets to a retail county market as well. 

“We are direct-to-the-consumer producers, so that frees us up to grow what’s in demand,” said Visser. “We can showcase a wide variety of sizes, flavors — it's been a lot of fun.” 

Each market has a different feel to it because of the clientele and the areas of the city/region, Visser said. 

“You get enormous markets like Holland where you’re getting a lot of locals who are familiar with agricultural production and seasons of this region, and then you're getting a lot of tourists,” said Visser. 

For farms like Visser Farms, there is always something to do, working in cycles, between tending, harvesting, planting, washing, packing, loading and selling. 

Here are some Ottawa County farmers markets: 

Grand Haven: Grand Haven Farmers Market

Hours: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, May-October and Wednesdays, June-September 

Location: The Grand Haven Farmers Market is located in downtown Grand Haven, but will move to Mulligan’s Hollow come August. The move comes after an approved $18 million redevelopment project on the farmers market’s longtime home in Chinnock Pier. 

The market itself has been running for over 35 years and is run by various vendors, many of whom have been coming to the farmers market for years. 

As of June 14, two of the produce vendors at Grand Haven Farmers Market accepted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (SNAP), Latchaw Farms and Visser Farms; the market is now vendor-managed and no longer associated with a nonprofit, a requirement for full market participation with SNAP and WIC. The 2027 farmers market applications will be open this winter. 

Info: grandhavenfarmersmarket.com

Spring Lake: Spring Lake Farmers Market

Hours: Through Oct. 15, this weekly market is open 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. every Thursday. 

Location: Tanglefoot Park, Spring Lake

The event features local produce and a variety of baked goods, allowing vendors to sell their products directly to the customers. This event also allows Ottawa County residents a chance to see what their community has to offer. 

The farmers market has no website but remains active on Facebook, posting updates each week on the items that are at the market that particular week. The page also posts features on the various vendors at the market and shares posts about non-produce or product-related groups that join in on the fun during various weeks. 

Holland: Waukazoo Market 

Open: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays 

Location: 1120 Ottawa Beach Road, Holland 

Waukazoo Farmers Market is a local farmers market providing meat, produce, bread and other products. This year, it also has food trucks. The market accepts cash and cards. 

Info: facebook.com/waukazoomarket 

Holland: Holland Farmers Market: 

Open: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. May 13-Oct. 31; Winter hours: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov 4-28 Wednesdays and Saturdays and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays from January through April for the indoor market.

Location: Eighth Street Market Place, 150 W. Eighth St., Holland

Holland Farmers Market has over 75 farmers and vendors throughout the seasons; pick your choice of fresh produce and flowers along with baked goods, specialty foods and more. 

Parking: Free parking is available onsite, with additional parking available in downtown Holland. 

Animals: Dogs are strictly prohibited; service dogs are allowed with proper identification. 

Payment option: Cash is widely accepted; some but not all vendors accept credit cards. For information on using SNAP at the market, visit hollandfarmersmarket.com. 

Hudsonville: Terra Square Farmers Market

Open: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. June through September

Location: 3380 Chicago Drive, Hudsonville

Located in the heart of the city at Terra Square, this market is the perfect place to bring your family and friends with local farmers, food trucks, artisans and family-friendly activities with kids in mind in the design.

The market's website provides an easy access point to the market, with lists of preplanned kids' activities, vendors, and a food truck schedule. The market also proudly accepts SNAP/EBT benefits, so that local products can be accessible for everyone. Simply swipe a card at the market information booth to receive tokens that can be used with participating vendors. The market recommends that community members take any questions they may have to the info booth if they need any assistance.

Allendale: Allendale’s Mitton Market

Open: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. 

Location: Trail Point beer garden

This market is in its first year and is looking for vendors. It praises itself as a market that focuses on promoting locally grown farms with fresh produce. For information on how to be a vendor at Allendale’s Mitton Market, visit the group’s Facebook page. 

Allendale: GVSU Sustainable Agriculture Project

Open: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday

Location: Allendale Clock Tower on GVSU campus

From June to October, student interns from Grand Valley State University's sustainable agriculture project host a weekly farm stand at GVSU’s campus. Offerings change throughout the season, and the stand operates on a sliding scale pricing model to ensure food is accessible for everyone. 

Info: gvsu.edu/sustainableagproject 

Jenison: Georgetown Farmers Market:

Open: 4-7:30 p.m. Mondays from June 15-Aug. 24, with a mission to provide a local venue for their community to purchase local products. 

Location: Outside of Georgetown Township Public Library at 1525 Baldwin St. in Jenison, the market has some vendors that stay for the entire season but also others that change week to week. Entertainment is also available, such as live music as well as food trucks. 

Info: gtfarmersmarket.org 

Coopersville: Coopersville Farmers Market

Open: 4-7:30 p.m. every Thursday through September

Location: 375 Main St., Coopersville

This farmers market runs at the same time as Coopersville Main, which allows for locals and visitors alike to shop for fresh produce while listening to music. 

Info: facebook.com/CoopersvilleFarmersMarket 

Zeeland: Zeeland Farmers Market

Open: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: Elm St. Park, Zeeland

Zeeland's Main Place Market offers a variety of flowers (annuals and perennials), farm-fresh, locally grown produce and fruit, food and fun for everyone.

— Mallory Burt is a reporter for Ottawa News Network. Contact her at newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.