The Benton Harbor Farmers Market will reopen for the season on Wednesday, June 3.

The market run by the Berrien County Health Department was started as a way to help Benton Harbor residents access healthy and fresh food in an area where grocery stores are lacking. Market coordinator Edward Kariuki tells us it serves several purposes.

“One is to educate the community about nutrition and healthy eating habits, as well as promotion of business for local growers and entrepreneurs, and building relationships between the producers and consumers,” Kariuki said.

Kariuki says anywhere from 700 to 800 people will come out to the market on a given Wednesday, and it will have more than 20 vendors on hand this year.

“We have partnered with local growers and we’ve come up with various programs whereby we provide seedlings for people to plant fruits and vegetables. And we have partnered as well with various growers within Berrien County who actually come and sell their produce at the market.”

Also present at the market this year will be support organizations that can connect visitors with services to improve their lives. Kariuki says they’ll include the YMCA, Corewell Health, the Boys and Girls Clubs, Berrien County Veterans Services, and the Lincoln Township Library. Plus, they’ll have two DJs.

The market will be held every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting June 3 through October 21 at Dwight P. Mitchell City Center Park. All are welcome, and Kariuki says it’s a safe, fun place for people to connect.

Learn more about the Benton Harbor Farmers Market and how to become a vendor right here.