GAYLORD -- Produce is becoming a main attraction helping to draw in more people to area farm markets.

In Gaylord Wednesday, tables upon tables were filled with carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, and a slew of other fruits and vegetables. Growers say it's the relationship between farmers and consumers that is the lure for shoppers.

"When you go to a grocery store you're looking at this beautiful food but you don't know what's been done to it," said Susan Nowak, manager of the Gaylord Farmer's Market. "When you're standing in a farmers market you can stand on one side of the table with the farmer who grew those fruits and vegetables."

At the Gaylord Farm Market, 90-percent of all that you see is grown locally. But, it's not just raw produce. Many farmers like Bill Flynn of Mancelona, pack their goods into pies, jams, bread and many other items.

While many farmers are currently facing many challenges including an unusually cooler summer, there is plenty of optimistic being cultivated throughout the farm markets and the growing demand.

"It helps us farmers because we have to make all of our money for the entire year to pay for all of our farm credit in about five months and that has to last us through the entire year so we hit as many local farm markets as we can," said Bill Flynn of First Fruits Farm.

As the popularity of farm markets continue to grow, vendors are also reaching out for even more customers. Some markets are beginning to accept food stamps and participate in other food assistance programs, making it easier for those in need to also shop for fresh and local produce.

FARM MARKET GROWTH

Aside from the many farm markets that have been going on for years, Nowak says she's finding there are many new ones starting up.
After a 15-year hiatus, the Mancelona Farmer's Market returns Thursday. That will take place from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Senior Center on State Street in Mancelona.

FARM MARKET DIRECTORY

ANTRIM COUNTY
Antrim County Farmers Market
· 8 a.m.-noon Fridays, May 23-Oct. 31.
· Located behind the senior center in Bellaire on M-88, across from the county courthouse. 

Elk Rapids Area Farmers Market
· 8 a.m.-noon Fridays, June-Oct.
· Located on US-31 on the grounds of the Elk Rapids Chamber of Commerce.

Mancelona Farmers Market
· 3 p.m.- 7 p.m. Thursdays, Through Oct.
· Senior Center Parking lot - State Street.

BENZIE COUNTY
Elberta Farmers Market
· 7:30 a.m.-noon, Thursdays, May 22-Aug. 28.
· 9 a.m.-noon Sept. 4-Oct. 16.
· Located in Elberta Marina Pavillion Park, M-22 and M-168.

Frankfort Farmers Market

· 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, 2nd Sat. in May-2nd Sat. in Oct.
· Located in the Green Space along the sidewalk on Main St. between 9th and 10th St. in front of the boat launch.

CHARLEVOIX COUNTY
Boyne City Farmers Market
· 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, May 3-Oct. 29.
· Located in Old City Park, River St., Boyne City.

Charlevoix Farmers Market
· 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays, June 26-Oct. 2.
· Located in downtown Charlevoix.

East Jordan Farmers Market
· 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays, May 15-end of Oct.
· Located in Sportsmans's Park, East Jordan.

EMMET COUNTY
Downtown Petoskey Farmers Market
· 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Fridays, June 20-Sept.26.
· Located in the street on Howard St. in the block between J.C. Penney and Julienne Tomatoes.

Harbor Springs Farmers Market
· 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, mid-June thru Oct.
· 8 a.m.-noon Wednesdays, July thru Sept.
· Located on M-119, across from the Bay Bluffs Care Facility.

GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY
City Market
· 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, April 5-Nov. 29
· 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays, May 14-Oct. 29.
· Located on the platform at the Traverse City Railway Station, corner of 8th and Woodmere.

Farmers Market at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons
· 3 pm to 7 pm Fridays
· Located West off Division onto Eleventh St., at the tent across from Left Foot Charley.

Streamside Farm Market
· 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays
· Located next to the Stained Glass Cabinet Company at 4160 M-72 East.

Interlochen Farmers Market
· 9 a.m.-noon Sundays, May 11-Sept.28.
· Located at Earth and Hearth, south of Interlochen Corners on M-137.

Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market
· 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, May 10-Oct. 25.
· 8 a.m.-noon Wednesdays, June 13-Sept. 26.
· Located in the parking lot along Grandview Parkway between Cass and Union Streets in Traverse City.

KALKASKA COUN TY
Springfield Recreation Area Farmers Market
· 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays, May 15-Oct. 9.
· Located five miles southeast of Fife Lake at Lund and Creighton Rds.

LEELANAU COUNTY
Empire Farmers Market
· 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, June 14-Sept. 27.
· Located downtown on Front St near the Post Office.

Glen Arbor Farmers Market
· 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays, June 17-Sept. 2.
· Located behind the township hall at 6394 Western Ave.

Leland Farmers Market
· 9 a.m.-noon Thursdays, June 19-Sept. 4.
· Located in the parking lot across from The Bluebird Restaurant.

Suttons Bay Farmers Market
· 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Saturdays, May 17-Oct. 18.
· Located at the corner of Lincoln and Broadway Streets at the skating rink.

MANISTEE COUNTY
· Manistee Farmers Market
· 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, May 31-Oct. 11.
· Located in the parking lot across from Dial-A-Ride on Memorial Dr.

OTSEGO COUNTY
· Gaylord Farmers Market
· Wednesday, Saturdays
· Located in downtown Gaylord beneath the pavilion.

WEXFORD COUNTY
Cadillac Farmers Market
· 8 a.m.- 1 p.m. June 24, 27 and July 1.
· 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, July 8-Oct. 31.
· Located on Lake St. in the parking lot next to Lake Cadillac and the public library.