“It’s a place to grow:” Michigan grant to boost Oak Park farmers market expansion
The city of Oak Park has received a grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, which is estimated to double the capacity of their Thursday farmers market.
Oak Park is expected to expand its Thursday farmers market thanks to a $225,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).
The grant has been allocated toward the ongoing construction of a community event hub set to open mid next year, which will include a commercial kitchen and an expanded, four-seasons market space.
“This grant will more than double Oak Park’s current farmers market capacity and expand opportunities for local food entrepreneurs and the services they provide,” says City Manager Erik Tungate. “We’re thrilled to partner with MDARD to strengthen support for local farmers, grow agricultural partnerships, and continue building a vibrant food ecosystem.”
Besides offering an increased variety of goods and produce for regular farmers market shoppers, the city hopes to add cooking demonstrations, classes, pop-ups, and evening events through the event hub’s planned commercial kitchen.
“We’ll have the availability for young or beginner entrepreneurs that want to start up a business and need a kitchen facility,” says Oak Park Recreation Director Laurie Stasiak. “For our seniors, we’re really excited about the possibility of hosting congregate meals and Meals on Wheels. It’s just great to see it as a community gathering place.”
Growing Community Market
After a brief stint in 2013, the Oak Park farmers market was officially launched in 2017 under the sponsorship of Humana Medicare. Eight years later, the market continues to be supported through sponsors from Henry Ford Health, Michigan Farmers Market Association, and others.
“The farmers’ market has actually grown exponentially,” says Oak Park Recreation Coordinator Maralee Rosemond. “We have gone from 10 vendors to 19-plus vendors on a regular basis. We’ve also added three artisan days this summer by inviting local artists to come and highlight their creativity in our area.”
A staff member with the city since 2016, Rosemond brought her years of knowledge as a Michigan-certified market manager to launch and facilitate a farmers market in Oak Park. Today, she also oversees the city’s senior programs, community events, and concerts.
“I am totally immersed by and in love with farmers markets,” Rosemond says. “One thing I am very proud of is that we are one of the few markets in the area that accepts all forms of food assistance. It’s so much more than just a farmers market—it’s a community. It’s a place to grow.”
The market currently takes place to the west of the city’s community center, near the event hub construction site. Once construction is complete, locals won’t have to go far to locate their favorite farmers, and vendors will have more space to accommodate regulars with the best they have to offer.
“It’ll be exciting,” says Sharon Ostrowski, third-generation farmer and original market vendor. “All the markets I go to are open air, so it’ll be nice to have a building. With the amount of stuff I have, I need room. I think we’re going to probably do an indoor-outdoor setup, so we’ll put up a few tents and then go inside as well.”
Ostrowski is the owner of SharKar Farms, one of two family farms currently hosted by the city’s farmers market. She specializes in plants, succulents, and unique vegetable varieties. Every week, she and her husband assemble 10 tents in the parking lot at 14300 Oak Park Blvd. to sell their in-season produce to passersby.
“I really do love Oak Park,” Ostrowski says. “It’s a whole mixing pot of everybody, but they all seem to get along and work together well. It’s a great community.”
The Oak Park farmers market is open on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from now until October 9. Read on for a complete list of 2025 Oak Park market vendors:
Therapeutic Arts and Wellness // 4natureal.com
Natural Skincare // (248) 321-3175 // aminabuttersandmore.com
Baked Goods // (248) 788-4800 // facebook.com/DakotaBreadCompany
Handcrafted Leather Accessories // (313) 265-5639 // facebook.com/deborahslegacyleather
Family-Owned Farm // (810) 751-0241 // facebook.com/ginnfarms
Local Turkey Patties // (248) 790-0557 // greenleafturkey.com
Full-Service Catering // instagram.com/good_lifecatering
Baked Goods // (313) 897-5503 // hopeindetroit.org/bakery
Honey and Beekeeping // (313) 409-2658 // honeyhelp.store
Heather’s Homemade Cakes and Catering
Baked Goods // (248) 747-0667 // facebook.com/HeathersCakesandCatering
Hill Mail Order/Sweet Treats by HMOC
Crafted Desserts
Coffee // impeljava.com
Handmade Pasta // (517) 619-0588 // thelocalepicurean.com
Roo Cookie Factory
Baked Goods
Family-Owned Farm // (810) 499 2386 // sharkarfarm.com
Simply Irresistible Popcorn and Treats
Crafted Popcorn // (313) 826-5546 // facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575019534964
Catering // (313) 334-4705 // facebook.com/ToppDoggEats
Photos by David Lewinski.
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