CALUMET — The Main Street Calumet Farmers Market is returning to the village again this summer, and will begin its regular season run on Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m. -2 p.m.

Main Street Calumet Executive Director Leah Polzien said this year will see several updates.

The market is changing locations this season, shifting from its previous location next to the Calumet Theatre on 6th Street, east about 150 feet, across the alley, to be sited on 5th Street, she said. The new site, in the 300 block of 5th Street, is just north of the former Thurner’s Bakery.

“Fortunately, in summer of 2019, the Village of Calumet DDA (Downtown Development Authority) developed a green space at this location, so the shift will be from one pretty spot to another,” said Polzien, adding that completion of an infrastructure project earlier this month required the move to avoid ruining freshly planted grass.

The Market will be offering tokens this year for customers wishing to use their SNAP benefits (known as the Bridge Card in Michigan), credit or debit cards at the market, Polzien said.

“Customers will be able to visit our Market Table and purchase tokens valued at $1, using their credit/debit card or Bridge Card,” she said. “All vendors are able to accept these tokens as cash in the case of credit/debit card sales or for approved items for SNAP benefits.”

The Farmers Market has been a participating vendor Bridge Card sales since 2017, Polzien said, but this is the first year using a token system.

Polzien said Main Street Calumet is aware that there is an increased number of families using Bridge Cards and Pandemic EBT cards this year, so switching to a token system will make purchasing items less hectic, as well as more discreet, for families to use their benefits at the market. Additionally, the token system will also decrease the work load on Vendors. Transition to the token program was made possible by a grant from the Portage Health Foundation.

Polzien said there will also be health and wellness-related changes at the Farmers Market this year, to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus.

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and comply with State law:

• Vendors will be wearing masks, and in addition to masks;

• Market volunteers will be wearing gloves when handing money or tokens;

• The market will have a hand-wash station and sanitizer available at multiple locations, and high-touch surfaces will be sanitized regularly’

• The Market requests that anyone with symptoms please stay home, and when attending, please respect social distancing guidelines.

Starting June 8th, farmers markets in Michigan were again allowed to have crafters attend.

“We’re glad that we will be able to have our artisan crafters at market this season,” Polzien said. “While our market has always focused on local food, artisans are part of our market family, and their presence really rounds out our customer appeal.”

In order to maintain the focus on food, the market has a 1 crafter to 1 food producer policy, so vendors are roughly 50% crafters and 50% food producers.

“The market invites artisans to join food producers North Harvest CSA, Boersma Family Roots, Circle Back Farms, and Teach to Taste at Hansson Farms at market this year,” said Polzien.

Vendors at this Saturday’s market will include:

• North Harvest CSA – Locally grown produce and artisan vinegar

• Boersma Family Roots – Locally grown produce and farm fresh eggs

• Circle Back Farm – Organic maple syrup and maple syrup products

• Teach to Taste – Local produce, herbs and baked goods

• Kris Southerland – Knife sharpener and blacksmith extraordinaire

• Circle K Farm – Sells quality USDA certified beef.

For more information on food access programs, which vendors attend the market, and vendor applications, please visit https://www.mainstreetcalumet.com/farmers-market.html