Fulton Farmers Market and Farm to Fork Restaurants in Grand Rapids
Love fresh and local food? The May Group does too and recommends checking out the Fulton Street Farmers market and Farm to Fork restaurants around GR. Michigan is full of great farmers that provide the best fresh food that will spoil your taste buds and leave you feeling satisfied. Eating seasonally is the best way to go and here is an easy guide we have provided so that you can use the freshest of ingredients all year round. This guide will also tell you what items you should buy organic and which you can skip on.
The Fulton Street Farmers Market
Let’s start with the amazing Fulton Street Farmers Market located at 1147 E. Fulton Street just east of downtown GR. This market has been around since 1922 and has become popular for picking up the best local fresh food around. They are open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8am to 3pm from the first Saturday of May through the last Saturday before Christmas, rain or snow! From savoring produce at the peak of freshness to meeting the people who grow your food, there are countless reasons to come by Fulton Street Farmers Market. They are the largest and oldest market in Grand Rapids with more than 200 different vendors throughout the year.
Tips you’ll want to know:
- Earlier arrival is recommended for the best selection and availability and to try and get there before 1:30pm.
- Parking is available right at the market but be prepared as it can become congested on busy weekends.
New and improved from a massive renovation ending in 2012, there is also an official artisan market. While this has been around for a decade the renovation allowed for a beautiful new pavilion and a new office building which included some indoor vendor space. This market has had over 600 local artisan and crafters in the past decade and is the largest weekly art market in Michigan. While the artisan market is only open from the second Sunday in June to the last Sunday in September, we wanted to make sure you are ready to check it out next year.
Coming up! Fall Harvest Dinner at the Market
If you want to splurge, check out this family style menu which will be served on October 24th @ 6:30pm with a hard or soft cider pairing, dessert and music. The cost is $85 per person which includes a $25 donation to the Fulton Street Farmers Market Food Education Initiative. Dinner will be set up down the center aisle of the Fulton Street Market under their roof trusses with long covered tables and straw bale seating. There is limited availability so click here to get your tickets now.
Farm to Fork Restaurants
Now let’s talk Farm to Fork Restaurants. If you are the type that loves to eat out or just need a great place with fresh/local food, check out the following great Farm to Table Restaurants. These are all the rage with people trying to find the best of the best for eating out options in GR. There are plenty of options to choose from and we have provided a list of different options so you can pick which is the best fit for you!
Italian:
Pizza:
Mediterranean:
Vegan:
Gastropub:
American:
Make sure you make a plan to visit these great places and keep this article handy to reference when you are planning a night out or need a guide on what’s currently local and fresh now.