Kalamazoo People's Food Co-op Holds Night Market

An excellent way to sample what Kalamazoo has to offer is through taste. When it comes to fresh ingredients many known pubs, breweries and restaurants stretch and circle the town. When purchasing fresh produce, making a stop at the farmers market, perfectly nestled downtown, is one way to experience the city as well as its food.  

The People’s Food Co-op in Kalamazoo, located on Harrison Street, puts on farmer’s markets several times a week. The Co-op itself is a colorful shop with a wide variety of fresh and organic goods. Not only do they sell quality groceries, but they are more than just a grocery shop; they also schedule cooking classes on-site.

The People’s Food Co-op (incorporated in 1973) subscribes to the slow food movement, which strives for cooking and meals to move back to being a more social, community-based activity.

A cooperative business is owned and controlled by the people who use it. The People’s Food Co-op currently has over 2400 community members and shoppers who have financially invested in the store, and thus are Co-op owners. Unlike a business owned by an individual, family, or corporation, profits from the store return to the owners, or are used to help the store better serve the community’s needs.

A way that the Co-op gives back to the community is hosting farmers markets here in Kalamazoo. There are several different kinds of events: the Kalamazoo Farmer’s Market, the Portage Market, the 100-Mile Market, and the Washington Square Market.

The Kalamazoo Farmer’s Market features over 100 businesses weekly and is held at 1204 Bank Street in Kalamazoo. They are open May through November on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., June through October Tuesdays and Thursdays 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and June through September every third Thursday 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The night markets on every third Thursday are very popular events where locals can gather for food, crafts, music and fun.

The fresh food festival kicks off with food trucks, fresh fruits, veggies, meats, cheeses and artisan goods. Ride your bike and use free bike valet parking, and grab a beer or wine (sales will benefit local food business incubator nonprofit Can-Do Kitchen). The band of the evening typically goes on at 8 p.m. and takes the party into the night.

The People's Food Co-op of Kalamazoo every year has an Annual Owner Meeting. The purpose is to highlight the impact and visions of the future for Kalamazoo's community-owned natural grocery store and farmer's market operator, according to PFC Market’s events page.

Courtesy photo from Chris Moore

Posted: Friday, July 15, 2016 12:00 pm – Western Herald  http://bit.ly/2aaTKCm

by Elizabeth Lewis Staff Reporter