A group of volunteers is working hard to create a weekly Taylor Farmers Market that will become a destination point for area residents in need of fresh produce and plants at affordable prices.

The outdoor market will debut on Wednesday, June 24, outside the Sheridan Community Center in front of Heritage Park, 12111 Pardee Road. Hours are noon to 7 p.m.

The committee establishing the market plans to offer Taylor residents and visitors access to locally grown produce. In addition, the volunteers are inviting local musicians and chefs to provide weekly entertainment and cooking demonstrations and tips.

“This is an opportunity to offer our residents fresh locally grown produce and specialty products while providing the local farmers and vendors with a venue to expand their business,” said 23rd District Court Judge Geno Salomone, one of the committee members who is an avid gardener.

“Just as importantly, we are hoping everyone has fun at their market.”

Karen Salomone, the judge’s wife, is chairwoman of the committee.

The volunteers went forward with the market concept after 785 people responded to an online poll on the City of Taylor Web site, www.cityoftaylor.com. A total of 737 – or 94 percent – said they would buy produce from local growers at a farm market in Taylor.

“It is our belief that this venture is another step in enhancing the quality of life in the City of Taylor,” said committee member Diane Desrosiers.

Desrosiers said the “farmers” will be “coming from different areas of Michigan – and Michigan only.” Farmers will have their own tents and market organizers will feature a vendor of the week. Shoppers should bring their own bags or other containers.

Some of the scheduled vendors are:
●American Premium Blends
●Avalon Bakery – baked goods
●Pallet Gardens – turkey legs, barbecue and smoked
●Vandalia Farms – Cornelius blueberry bushes, produce
●Hoffman’s Honey/Rick Wieske – honey, Chartreuse teas
●Julie DeMeulenaere – produce, ever-bearing strawberries and apples
●The Traffic Jam – cheeses and breads
●Dee’s Emporium – fresh and dried herbs and vegetables

Committee member Lindsay Boardman said there are many benefits for consumers who shop at a farmers market and purchase their food locally.

“I think residents will be surprised about how much money they can save at a farmers market that offers fresh, quality food and produce,” she said. "When produce is grown and purchased locally, money remains in the community and helps stimulate the economy, on a local level. Residents and visitors can get fresh produce while helping diminish the effects of globalization."

Visitors to the Taylor Farmers Market will get to meet Detroit-based Victoria Zande from noon to 2 p.m. Zande is an independent artist, author, writer, songwriter, musician who performs classical, blues, pop and rock music, plays a flute, sings and reads poetry.

On June 24, Zande will present a small acoustic musical performance and will read excerpts from her self-published and self-created writing/poetry preview collection under the Taylor Farmers’ Market Tent. (For more information, visit her Web site at www.victoriazande.com.)

The committee is seeking sponsors to help support the farm market. The weekly sponsorship is $150.

Farmers interested in participating need to apply and be approved. Also, volunteers are needed to help facilitate the event. To participate, farmers, volunteers and sponsors should call Shirley Moore at the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency at (313) 843-2550.

Volunteers are excited about the debut of the Taylor Farmers Market. Standing outside the Sheridan Community Center are Angelo Salomone (left), Shirley Moore, Lindsay Boardman, Sharon Vespremi, Patty Donahue and Diane Desrosiers.