Michigan City, IN (April 21, 2009) – The Michigan City Mainstreet Association (MCMA) was recently notified that the organization will receive a $10,000 grant from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) to promote their “Buy Fresh, Buy Local” campaign for their very successful Farmers Market.

Roger Potratz, president of the MCMA and owner of dh2w architectural firm, said, “Encouraging families, restaurants, caterers and bed & breakfasts to buy the fresh, locally-grown food sold at our Farmers Market just seemed a natural action for the Mainstreet Association to take. We developed a campaign that includes brochures, signage, advertising, and surveys...all designed to provide information about safeguarding our health, protecting the environment, strengthening our local economy plus getting exceptional taste and freshness...just by purchasing food at a Farmers Market. People worldwide are rediscovering the benefits of buying local food. It is fresher than anything in the supermarket and that means it is tastier and more nutritious.”

MCMA Director Jan Kostielney said, “The MCMA’s Farmers Market’s vendors offer gorgeous hanging baskets of brightly colored flowers, pots of aromatic herbs for your kitchen, and mouth-watering freshly harvested home-grown fruits and vegetables. Besides fresh meats such as beef, chicken, pork, and turkey in season, you’ll also find fresh eggs, honey, dips and butters you can’t find in any store. There are many types of home-made noodles, breads, pastries, jams and jellies, cheeses, soups and patés. Many Saturday’s, you’ll follow the aroma of freshly-brewed coffee to one or more vendors, and local non-profit organizations have registered to hold bake sales at the Market every Saturday this season. The Michigan City Mainstreet Association’s Farmers Market is dedicated to providing fresh, delicious and nutritious foods to our local residents and international visitors… and to assisting our local farmers in their efforts to deliver those foods to  families.”

The Mainstreet Association sponsors the Farmers Market every Saturday from May through October on the corner of 8^th and  Washington Streets in Michigan City. Open from 8am until Noon, the Farmers Market (just one block east of Lighthouse Place Premium Outlet Center) also offers entertainment and education through local organizations. Bake sales, artist displays and other special events will take place at the Farmers Market this season.            

 We are still able to accept a few additional vendors for the Market,” Kostielney said. “Interested parties will find updated guidelines and an application form on our website...www.mcmainstreet.com.”

Potratz concluded, “The members of the Mainstreet Association support our local farmers by hosting the Farmers Market. Many of the vendors there accept WIC vouchers and Food Stamps. We invite all our local residents and our many visitors to come to the Market and taste the bounty of LaPorte County.”