Farm Market Revived in Pickford on Thursdays

Robert and Betty Fairchild of Goetzville sell honey at their vendor table during the Pickford Farmers Market Thursday, June 25, at Pickford Township Hall. (Photograph courtesy of Sheila Bergdoll) Sixteen vendors from around the Eastern Upper Peninsula gathered to sell fresh produce, eggs, fish, herbs, and handcrafted goods Thursday, June 25, at the first week of the revived Pickford Farmers Market. The market is scheduled for Thursday evenings from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. through October.

Market Master Sheila Bergdoll said about 125 people attended the market at the Pickford Township Hall parking lot.

"The market is about forming relationships with the people who grow your food," she said. "Customers can ask specific questions about how the food was grown. This is food security for the seller and the consumer."

Vendors at the market included Dale Kriesche of Rudyard, selling fresh produce and plants; Karen Carrington of Sault Ste. Marie, selling perennial plants and planters; Harvey O'Brien of Kinross, selling Maple Syrup and plants; Amy Polk of Cedarville, selling fresh herbs, soaps, and dog treats; Alyson Obermiller of Kincheloe, selling handmade jewelry; Eleanor Wark of Trout Lake, selling baked goods; Frank Blissett and Lylene Hillmand of Bruce Township, selling chicken and duck eggs, and dog treats; Robert and Betty Fairchild of Goetzville, selling honey; Cheryl Stevens of Sault Ste. Marie, selling handcrafted pottery and jewelry; Orv Kabat of Rudyard, selling inspected bison meat; Harrison Bosley of Pickford, selling fresh produce; Rory Parrish of Brimley, selling fresh fish; Daniel Shurland of Kinross, selling handcrafted iron work weathervanes; John and Cindy Dutcher of Raber Township, selling chicken and eggs; Diane Rector of Fibre, selling organic produce, and Neil Hinton of Pickford, selling fresh produce.

Biz-E-Bee Enterprises of Pickford sold food and refreshments during Thursday's market, while Ryan Harrison of Cedarville played guitar and sang. The market is enjoying a revival after dissolving a few years ago owing to lack of support from customers and vendors.