(La Porte County, IN) - The farmers’ market season in La Porte and Michigan City begins this Memorial Day weekend.

 

The Farmed & Forged Market opens for the first time in Michigan City tomorrow from 8 a.m. to noon at 8 00 Washington St.

In La Porte, the market opens for its third season on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lincolnway and Monroe St.  Both markets will feature a wide variety of locally grown produce throughout the season along with handmade goods, fresh foods and live entertainment.

 

SNAP vouchers will again be accepted.  Recipients of those vouchers can purchase $20 of food and receive $60 in spending in return each week.

 

In addition to fresh produce, eggs, meats, baked good and more will be offered.

 

This year’s market season launches with a spotlight on Curious Chefs, a new youth program created to encourage food confidence, nutrition education, and hands-on learning, said Mandy Krickhahn, Founder/CEO of The Collective and operator of the markets.

 

Funds raised during Opening Weekend will support the launch of this initiative, with a goal of kicking off the program in July.

 

Once active, she said Curious Chefs will provide children with $2 produce vouchers to spend at the market on fresh produce, creating opportunities for kids to explore healthy eating while supporting local farmers.

 

“Curious Chefs is more than a kids program, it’s a gateway to lifelong skills in nutrition, cooking, and confidence,” Krickhahn said.