Review: 2009 Rochester Michigan Farmer's Market

Oakland County's Oldest Community Shows its Summer Appeal

The beautiful picturesque city of Rochester, MI was established in 1817, giving it a long history of being a successful farming community. Nowhere is that more evident than at the annual Rochester Farmer's Market. A veritable banquet for the senses of fresh produce, baked goods, crafts, seasonal flora, and more. Located at the corner of Third and Water streets one block east of Main, conveniently located near two free parking lots.

Hickory Hill Farms of Clifford, MI was established in 1888 and has a great reputation among the people of their community. They also come in with the strangest item available this year. The Osage Orange, although why it is called an orange is definitely unclear, with its rough, bumpy, coarse rind is the perfect spider repellent. Just place the fruit in a couple of the rooms in your home, preferably near a cold-air return, and the spiders will pack up and vacate.

"Honey, they've got some fabulous honey!" "R" Bees Honey Farm, Columbus, MI, owned by John Robertson, is a honey-lovers paradise. Honeycombs, bees wax candles, lip balm, and ointment for diaper rash are among the items available from this welcoming display.

Penzien Farms of Imlay City has a visually gratifying stand with a broad selection of produce. Vine ripened tomatoes, melons, peppers, cucumbers, potatoes, carrots, and more. If you practice home-processing this booth could become your favorite, as the Proprietor, Craig, is more than willing to ensure a satisfied customer by taking orders during the week for week-end pick up.

For fresh baked pies and breads, as well as home-made jams and jellies, the Blueridge Blueberry Farm's booth is the place to go. Fresh from Capac and made with blueberries grown at their farm these are luscious treats sure to please any palate.

Miller's Big Red Orchard, Greenhouse, and Cider Mill has a delightful selection of apples in an array of colors, textures, and taste sensations. There are apples for eating, baking, sauces, and more.

Sauces are the specialty of the Sansonetti family of Sansonetti Gourmet Foods from Holly Township, MI. Their Michigan Apple Glaze is a perfect fit for any pork dish and is even pretty tasty straight off the taste-tester spoon. They have a sauce, glaze, or dressing to accompany and accent any meal.

The Breadwinner Bakery brings the mouth-watering aromas of fresh-made breads, muffins, pita breads, pies and more to the Rochester Farmers Market with the sole intent of giving their customers the most gratifying experience the have ever had with dough.

There are numerous fresh produce stands to choose from offering a wide variety of seasonal and year-round delicacies. Beginning in May with seeds, seedlings, continuing with baked goods, and home-made fairs the selection gradually changes over the course of the summer to include the ever-ripening Michigan produce. Rochester Farmer's Market fresh, friendly, and FABULOUS!

Learn more about this author, Wendy Lafond.
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