It would be so lovely to be able snack on sun-warmed cherry tomatoes, plump indigo blueberries, cherries, and tender asparagus even when they’re not in season. If only there was a way we could somehow suspend in time our place in this luscious Midwest fruit basket…
Oh wait! We can. This is where our local Farm Markets come in to save the day.
Where else can we find local produce, flash-frozen veggies, and seasonal everything pickled and preserved, any time of the year?
The gorgeous Sunset Coast of Southwest Michigan, THAT’S WHERE.
Follow us on this journey through a maze of flavors, as we suggest some of our favorite Farm Markets in the area!
Preserve the flavor of summer by making Sun-dried Tomato Thyme Butter!
John’s Farm Market, New Buffalo
910 W Buffalo St
John’s
Carrying us through spring, summer, and fall, John’s Farm Market in New Buffalo can supply your plants and flowers, produce and honeys, soil and mulch, and more! Parking is available, and the bright colors of hanging baskets and giant summertime dahlias make it easy to find. John’s carries all of the pickled okra and pickled beans you’ll ever need, as well as a helpful and smiling staff. Open Mother’s Day through Halloween, 9am – 8pm everyday during the Summer
Dussel’s Farm Market & Greenhouses, Cassopolis
21765 M60
Dussel’s
Newly remodeled and cute as a button, Dussel’s Farm Market & Greenhouse offers so many wonderful items. Fresh and frozen meats and veats (they stock Beyond Meat Plant-Based foods now!), produce, vinegars, baked goods, Michigan maple syrups, home goods and decor, local wines and craft beers, bulk candies– I simply cannot list everything here. Dussel’s also offers their services for landscape design and landscape supplies. Don’t miss this perfect produce palace! Open year round, 8am – 7pm
Freshy fresh
Villwock’s Farm Market, Berrien Springs
3441 US OLD 31 (M139)
Villwock’s
On a long stretch of country road between Berrien Springs and Niles sits an adorable red and white building, whose perimeter is speckled with every color imaginable. Hanging baskets and flats of flowers appear almost out of nowhere, painting a smile on your face as you sing to yourself in the car. You must pull over! Villwock’s Farm Market has been in business since 1958, working closely with local farmers and farms to provide the freshest produce around. They also carry jams, jellies, and chutneys, succulents, ferns, perennials, annuals, and more. Open mid-May through mid-November, 9am – 6pm
Sawyer Garden Center, Sawyer
5865 Sawyer Road
www.sawyergardencenter.com
Just off of Red Arrow Highway or around the corner from I-94, Sawyer Garden Center is a haven of fresh produce, plants, trees, and specialty grocery items. You can find home decor, outdoor decor, patio furniture, a gift for everyone! Their selection of beer, wine, and spirits fills an entire room, and their weekend wine tastings will keep you coming back for more. Stroll through their large greenhouse and find the perfect plant addition to your life. Open year round, 8am – 8pm every day
Snowy day Christmas Tree shopping at Sawyer Garden Center?? Okay, that’s perfect.
Piggott’s Farm Market & Bakery, Benton Harbor
3824 E. Napier Ave
www.piggottsfarmmarket.com
Seventy years of farming offers a huge range of knowledge and expertise! This open-air market and family farm has had multiple generations work the soil and stand, creating a huge Quality footprint here in Southwest Michigan. Aside from their own fresh produce, you can find pies, doughnuts, cookies, jams, jellies, and preserves, just waiting to be shared with family and friends. Open May 1st – October 31st, 9am – 6pm every day
Shelton’s Farms, Niles
1832 S. 11th
www.sheltonfarms.com
Shelton’s Farm Market in Niles is a family-owned company that specializes in homegrown produce, meats & cheeses, breads, dairy, bulk grains, and more. They are currently carrying produce from over 30 different Michigan farms! And they take in pride their wholesale offerings — meats and produce at a price you simply cannot pass up. A large greenhouse also occupies part of their market area, as they also carry flowers and herbs and vegetable seedlings and trees and shrubs. Don’t forget to sign up on their website and subscribe to text specials and offers; Wild Wednesdays are something to look forward to every week! Open year round, at 8:30am every morning, 9am on Sunday
Stover’s Farm Market, Berrien Springs
7837 M139
www.stoversfarms.com
Since 1878, the Stover family has been growing cherries, blackberries, blueberries, peaches, strawberries, raspberries, apricots, apples, and more. You can shop in their gorgeous 165 year old barn, or (carefully) romp through the fields and U-Pic! Take a stroll through the woods, orchard, and ravine just to breathe in the glorious Michigan air. They also set up booths at five different farmers markets in Illinois, keeping this homestead busy busy busy during the growing season. Open Early June – late October, 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday
It’s just.. so perfect.
What is your favorite farm market? These are just a few of our favorites, but there are so many more; I don’t think the list ever actually ends (#blessed.)
We forget how wonderful it is to live in the exact place most of our food is grown. It is a luxury so few others understand!
Support your local markets, eat your local produce, enjoy Michigan’s Sunset Coast for all that it is: a place to grow, eat, and enjoy.
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