The Prairie Township Farmers Market will return June 11 with more than just fresh fruits and veggies.
Markets will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Sept. 24 -- except for July 2 and Sept. 3 -- at the community center, 5955 W. Broad St.
In past years, vendors set up in the parking lot at the community center, but this year, vendors will be moved to the grassy area surrounding the community center. This will allow for more parking and better traffic flow, said Michael Pollack, a facility supervisor at the community center who oversees the market.
"Our biggest challenge -- which is a good challenge -- is trying to find more parking," Pollack said.
Started in 2015, the market has grown every year, he said. All vendors from last year plan to return, and at least four new offerings -- a chocolate vendor, pasta company and a jam-maker among them -- have signed on for the 2018 season, Pollack said.
An average of 15 merchants is expected each week, he said.
The township hopes to turn the farmers market into more than a place to shop.
"We've added food trucks this year and our goal is to have at least one food truck at every farmers market," said James Gant, township recreation director.
Three days -- June 11, July 9, and Aug. 13 -- have been geared toward families and children, with extra events and community organizations on hand to provide entertainment, Gant said.
The Westland Area Library, cooking demonstrations, live music and an animal farm are among the extras slated for the "special event" days at the market.
"We wanted to increase awareness and bring in more families and more kids," Pollack said. "We're hoping to make it feel like an event and something that people could attend, even if they weren't necessarily interested in buying something."
The market partners with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), so recipients can use their benefits at the market. This year, SNAP has doubled its "produce perks" incentive for fresh fruits and vegetables up to $20 -- meaning SNAP recipients can get $40 worth of food for only $20, Pollack said.
"Anyone who has the Ohio Direction Card can come in and use that to purchase select items," he said. "The incentive program then takes what they spend at the market and gives them basically double through a match."
The market accepts cash and credit cards. An information booth on site will assist those using SNAP benefits.
The community center entrance off Broad Street will be closed while the farmers market is open. A second entrance, off Rockbrook Crossing Avenue, will remain open.
For more information about the farmers market, go to prairietownship.org/219/Farmers-Market.
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