Not having a car at Michigan means not being able to take weekly trips to the grocery store like a normal adult. I've struggled with this for two years and have tried everything from stuffing my grocery bags in the back of an Uber to buying a month’s worth of food in one trip. Highly inadvisable. This year, I discovered the Ann Arbor Farmers Market in all of it’s glory, and it has saved me from the sadness of an empty fridge
Although the farmers market can’t totally replace the value (and fun) of a trip to Trader Joe’s, it can definitely put it off for a week. If you’re going to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, these are five things you just can’t miss.
1. Seasonal Vegetables
The farmers market sells amazing organic vegetables year-round. The selection is limited to what’s in season, but this guarantees that your veggies are as fresh as they can possibly be. During the fall, this means bright red apples, soup-ready butternut squash, and multicolored pumpkins. For the adventurous cook, they also have vegetables you can’t find in stores (like squash blossoms).
2. Cronuts
This flaky, sweet pastry was the number one food trend before the cruffin started infringing on its territory. The cronut still lives up to its hype, and luckily enough for Wolverines, a delicious version is available right in the heart of Kerrytown (without the infamous Dominique Ansel Line).
3. Coffee
When the cold takes over Michigan, there’s nothing better than sipping on a hot cup of coffee while you roam the market stalls. Check out RoosRoast’s booth for locally brewed coffee, or if you’re truly freezing, head inside the Sweetwaters located right next to the market.
4. Cider and Doughnuts
You don’t have to drive all the way to the cider mill to get these spiced treats. During the fall, many of the booths sell doughnuts and, of course, cider to complete the meal. Bring your friends for an on-the-go breakfast.
5. Gluten Free Goods
If you want to partake in the doughnut fun without the gluten, check out Tasty Bakery. They have all the gluten free, vegan goods you can imagine, ranging from pizza to intense fudge brownies.
Once you’ve ventured through the stalls and had the full farmers market experience, stop by Zingerman's for lunch to celebrate all the amazing produce you just found. Everyone knows the best way to celebrate food is with more food, right?