© 2024 MICHIGAN PUBLIC
91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Winter farmer’s market kicks off today in Kalamazoo

Jane Doughnut
/
Creative Commons

Carl Rizzuto sells his own sausage and meatballs at the summer farmer’s market in Kalamazoo. He tried coordinating a winter market ten years ago but he says there wasn’t enough interest. Now he says business is so good during the summer market vendors agreed a the Kalamazoo Winter Marketwould be worth the effort.

“In Kalamazoo…we get 5,000 people on a Saturday and it’s just a festival. People just love it. They’re there every week and they hate to see it go and hopefully we can be part of that throughout the year,” Rizzuto said.

Rizzuto owns Papa’s Italian Sausage right across the street from the summer market. The small restaurant sits 20 people. About half of his business is takeout orders of the freshly prepared, homemade meat.

He says more people are interested in knowing where their food comes from and spending their money locally. “Everybody needs to make an income all year round and this is a good way for them to continue that,” Rizzuto said. He admits there won’t be as much of a selection as there is in the summer.

More than 40 vendors will offer cheese, meats, granola, tamales, baked goods, and cold crops like radishes. There’s also knife-sharpening and handmade jewelry.

The Kalamazoo winter market is every Saturday until the summer market opens in April.

Lindsey Smith helps lead the station'sAmplify Team. She previously served as Michigan Public's Morning News Editor, Investigative Reporter and West Michigan Reporter.
Related Content