About the Market
Warm sunshine.
Good food.
Great people.
The Elberta Community Farmers Market has been serving the local area for over 20 years. We’re a producers-only market, meaning that all the goods and food sold at the market come directly from the vendor selling it. We do this so that you know exactly who grows/makes your products, and so that you can for relationships and build community authentically and transparently.
We invite you to join us as we build community and support local producers who know their products inside and out. This year, we’re featuring local vendors that sell fresh produce, flowers, granola, maple syrup, teas, soaps, salves, and more.
We are a proud member of the Michigan Farmers Market Association, which is a statewide, member-based nonprofit supporting farmers markets and the farmers and vendors who sell there. We are grateful for their guidance and support!
Market days are every Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon at Penfold Park in Elberta, MI
from May 22nd to October 2nd (after Labor Day, the market runs from 9 a.m. to noon).
We bring local musicians to the market between 10 a.m. and noon each week. Not only do they add another level of vitality to the market,
but the artists and performers are another essential facet of our local community that we can support and promote.
Food Access
Access to healthy, local food should be available to all people. We work hard to equitably provide the very best produce and goods for the community and through the market, our vendors accept variety of supplemental tokens and coupons that help people get the nutrition they need.
The Elberta Community Farmers Market participates in the following programs:
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is the name for food stamps. In Michigan, this program is also referred to as the Bridge Card. Those who meet income eligibility requirements are allotted a set amount of money each month, on their Bridge Card, to help them purchase food. Please note, no change is given when using SNAP/EBT benefits. Amounts will be rounded up to the nearest dollar.
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To use SNAP at the market, visit the Market Manager before you shop and we’ll swipe your EBT card in exchange for wooden tokens you can then use to shop with. The only limit is your current balance on your EBT card, and we can supplement your shopping with Double Up Food Bucks to top off your shopping experience with EXTRA fruits and veggies!
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When you use your SNAP/EBT Bridge Card to shop at the Elberta Community Farmers Market (and other participating markets in the State of Michigan), the amount of money that you spend is matched with Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB), up to $10. In other words, this is $10 of FREE money! Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) can be used to exclusively buy fruits and vegetables that have been grown in Michigan. These free dollars allow shoppers to allocate EBT funds to be used on other groceries found at the market, such as meat, bread, eggs, maple syrup, honey, and jam. You do not need to spend all of your Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) on the same day you get them. You can spend some and save some for another week. Please note, no change is given when using Double Up benefits. Amounts will be rounded up to the nearest even dollar.
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Visit the Market Manager before you shop. When you spend money with SNAP, we’ll ask you if you’d like to Double Up, and give you the extra coins on top of your SNAP tokens.
For every $2 redeemed with your EBT card, you will receive an extra $2 token to use for fresh fruits and veggies! $20 limit per market day in receiving Double Up tokens.
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The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, known as Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH in Michigan, provides older adults who qualify, with unprocessed, Michigan-grown products from authorized farmers markets and roadside stands throughout Michigan. Qualified older adults and Wisewoman participants receive coupons that are used to purchase Michigan-grown produce at registered roadside stands and farmers markets.
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Starting in June 2025, participants in Senior Project Fresh can access their available funds to spend at the market digitally! More info to come June 1st.
The Senior Project Fresh program is aimed at helping older adults eat healthier as they age.
The program provides participants free nutrition education and $25 in benefits that can be exchanged for fresh fruits, vegetables, and honey sold at local farmers’ markets and roadside stands.
Residents who are aged 60 or older with a total household income of $28,952.50 or less for an individual, or $39,127.50 for a couple, are eligible to apply for the program.
Residents who are aged 55 or older who belong to a Michigan federally recognized tribe or urban tribal group are also eligible.
Benefits must be obtained in the county in which the applicant lives. The program runs from May 1 to October 31 each year.
If you think you are eligible and would like to participate in the program, please reach out via Email to: MDHHS-SeniorProjectFRESH@michigan.gov
