Minnesota Department of Agriculture to Host Celebration at Maple Grove Farmers Market
Kick-off to National Farmers Market Week scheduled for Thursday, August 4, 2016
MAPLE GROVE, MINN– Join the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Minnesota Grown Program and the Maple Grove Farmers Market on Thursday, August 4 as they kick off statewide celebrations of National Farmers Market Week. The Maple Grove Farmers Market opens at 3:00pm and kick-off festivities begin at 3:30pm. The Market is located at the Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Road.
“We’re so proud that Minnesota Grown has chosen Maple Grove to begin National Farmers Market Week,” said Maple Grove Farmers Market Manager Kirsten Bansen Weigle. “Farmers Markets offer so much to their communities—fresh and nutritious food, economic development, and strong community connections. This is prime time for markets across the state of Minnesota.”
The kickoff celebration will include the first-ever Minnesota Grown Three Minute Try-athlon—a series of fun games showcasing locally grown produce. Minnesota Grown spokesperson and former Olympian Carrie Tollefson will captain Team MDA while Maple Grove City Administrator Heidi Nelson and Parks and Recreation Director Chuck Stifter will co-captain Team Maple Grove. Maple Grove Farmers Market Power of Produce kids’ club participants will also have an opportunity to join the fun.
Minnesota Grown will host an informational booth with free Minnesota Grown directories, stickers, and prize drawings. Samples of locally grown produce will be provided by the Maple Grove Farmers Market. Farmers markets nationwide will celebrate National Farmers Market Week from Sunday, August 7 through Saturday, August 13.
As always, the market will feature over 40 vendors offering a wide array of locally grown produce, farmstead goods, and specialty foods.
Also on Thursday, August 4:
• Live Americana and roots music by Tim Cheesebrow, 4-7pm.
• Children ages 4-12 are invited to join the Power of Produce Club. Sign up for this free club at the Market Information booth. Kids will receive a free shopping bag and a $2 market token which may be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at the market. Come back each week for another $2 token!
• Heads-up for SNAP card holders—receive a dollar-for-dollar match (up to $10) every week at the market when you use your SNAP card at the market. Ask how at the Market Information Booth!
• Customer Loyalty rewards program: Sign up at the Market Information Booth (no purchase necessary.) Check in each week and earn rewards all season long!
• Free recipes featuring local, seasonal produce
Learn more about the Market, including a complete list of participating vendors and their offerings, by visiting www.maplegrovefarmersmarket.com. Follow the Market at www.facebook.com/maplegrovefarmersmarket or on Twitter at twitter.com/maplegrovefm. Sign up to receive once-per-week text message reminders by texting map 957 to 763.225.2650.
Contact: Kirsten Bansen Weigle, Maple Grove Farmers Market Manager
763-494-5824, kbansenweigle@maplegrovemn.gov