Vendors at Meridian Township Farmers’ Market find success during COVID-19

Print More
Man stands at farmers market table.

Jack Harrison

Mike Metzger with Hickory Knoll Farms Creamery at the market on March 20.

Her sensitive skin led to a solution that became a business. Tired of traveling to the store to buy skincare products, Ashleigh Rogers began making vegan body butters and soaps in 2020. 

Man stands at farmers market table.

Jack Harrison

Mike Metzger with Hickory Knoll Farms Creamery at the market on March 20.

Friends and family members liked her products and experienced positive results. That motivated Rogers to establish Heaven Scent Body Products.

“So that’s what encouraged me to say, ‘you know what, maybe I should go ahead and start supplying to other people,’” Rogers said.

At the Meridian Township Farmers’ Market on March 20, several vendors said that although COVID-19 has changed their business models, they are finding success through similar markets in Ingham County and across Michigan. 

Rogers produces her entirely vegan products from her apartment in Okemos.

Rogers said markets have been her best business decision to “survive” and “surpass” her own sales expectations. 

“So the community has been very, very supportive of the entire brand,” Rogers said. “I’ve had several repeat customers and that also led to them going online as well. So it’s amazing, it has really helped me survive and thrive.” 

Mike Metzger said Hickory Knoll Farms Creamery, which is 10 years old and produces cheese, eggs and ground beef from its own livestock, attends many markets.

Metzger said the company has a representative at four markets every week. During COVID-19, he said, the creamery has experienced many sales because of interest in local businesses. 

“Actually, it’s been very good because I think people are really getting into the local food system,” Metzger said.

Thomas Cary, manager of the market, said COVID-19 has attracted many customers and that on March 20, there were 26 vendors, the most this year.

Although the winter market is outside this year for safety, Cary said 270 customers attended a market day in February when it was 19 degrees.

Cary said some vendors have canceled due to the cold weather and one market in February only had 11 vendors. Vendors also cannot offer samples this year and there have been some logistical challenges, but Cary said overall there has been “great enthusiasm from the community.”

Some vendors said sales are rising with the temperatures. Bryan and Lindsay Decker own Wild Dawn Farms. They sell herbal teas, body oils and other products made from flowers and herbs from their farm in Dansville, Michigan.

Bryan Decker said his company first came to the Meridian Township Farmers’ Market in December for a holiday event and has attended several since then.

During winter, Decker said business was slow, but in the past couple weeks sales have increased. A portion of the Deckers’ sales also go to causes they believe in.

“The big thing that we try to focus on is percentages of our sales going towards anti-racist organizations, so we’re trying to help move our funds toward more active organizations and people who are trying to help end systemic racism,” Decker said.

Man at farmer's market booth holds sign that says "Think spring: Let's plan your edible garden."

Jack Harrison

Bryan Decker tells people at his booth to think spring and plan their edible gardens.

Bryan Decker tells people to “think spring” and plan their gardens at his booth.

Other vendors started selling during COVID-19. Brian Gilgon decided to sell smoked pork rinds to stay occupied during the pandemic.

Gilgon said his friend encouraged him to sell the product a couple years ago. Although he recently entered the market business, he said sales have been going well and are steady.

Similarly, Carol Davis, or Mama C as she is frequently called, said Mama C’s Sauce has experienced success at markets. 

Davis said markets are an activity that people can do during COVID-19, which can explain why attendance has been significant. Davis said other markets such as the Holt Farmers’ Market are going well for her company. 

Cary said that he expects there to be as many as 40 vendors by May. The next Meridian Township Farmers’ Market will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 3.

Comments are closed.