Back on Bank 2022 was the rallying cry of the Kalamazoo Farmers Market, which last season operated in a temporary location while the historic market site in the 1200 block of Bank Street was renovated.

The Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market will open its 2022 summer season on May 7 at its Bank Street location with new restrooms, upgraded market stalls, new access to the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail and new office space , the first phase of a multi-million dollar upgrade which started last year.

Katelyn Bekken, Market Manager of the Kalamazoo Farmers Market, says visitors will love the increased accessibility and ease of navigating the new market.

In the past, many people couldn’t access the site because of curbs, and cracked sidewalks were also a barrier, Bekken says. With the renovations, she says, “I think we’re going to have a lot more people with accessibility needs shopping with us now.

Sellers will also be thrilled with the upgrades, predicts Bekken.

Vendors will enjoy new tables, roofs and electrical upgrades, shoppers will notice improved accessibility, when the Kalamazoo Farmers Market unveils upgrades to its site on the 1200 block of Bank Street on May 7.“I think they’ll definitely be happy with the electrical upgrades,” for scales, coolers, food trucks, deep fryers and cash registers, Bekken says. New tables replace those that had been in use since the 1960s.

Vendors will no longer have to deal with leaky roofs or tripping circuit breakers and overhead lighting upgrades will help vendors display their products.

The spacious new marketplace will make room for an additional 40 vendors, and Bekken says applications are accepted year-round; there are still a few places left for the Saturday and night markets.

Saturday markets are held from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. from May 7; in June, Tuesday and Thursday markets will begin and monthly night markets are scheduled for June 16, July 21, August 18 and September 15.

Vendors will enjoy new tables, roofs and electrical upgrades, shoppers will notice improved accessibility, when the Kalamazoo Farmers Market unveils upgrades to its site on the 1200 block of Bank Street on May 7.Still to come is the construction of an 8,865 square foot year-round event building and playground at the market site, Phase 2 of the project funded by a $1 million grant. from the Irving S Gilmore Foundation.

Last year, the market operated at Mayors’ Riverfront Park on Mills Street while the $4.2 million phase one work was carried out.

The Kalamazoo Farmers Market has operated in the 1200 block of Bank Street since 1947, with locally grown fruits and vegetables and meat – produce that makes up about half of the markets’ more than 100 offerings.

Now back in its place in the heart of the Edison District, the market not only brings fresh food to the area, but also serves as a venue for culture, art, music and events for residents across the city of Kalamazoo.

Double Up Food Bucks will once again be accepted at the Kalamazoo Farmers MarketIn addition to many returning sellers, “we have a lot of new artists, which is great,” says Bekken.

In fact, every part of the return to the original market site should be good, she says.

“I think it’s going to be great. I think people are ready to come back – customers, vendors, market staff, even if we have to work around some (persistent) constructions at first.

The outdoor market has no COVID restrictions and is still accepting SNAP and Double your food dollars through the card bridge program.