Wet Weather Doesn't Keep Residents from Farmers Market

Merchants and shoppers braved some damp weather Saturday for this year's first at the Gathering at .

Meat, flowers, fruit, popcorn, bread and beads were among the items available in tents and under the Gathering's roof along Penniman Avenue. 

For Brad Cannon of Plymouth and his 5-year-old son, Max, the Farmers Market is a Saturday tradition, and the two were excited for this year's market season to begin.

"We come almost every Saturday we can throughout the summer," Cannon said.

He said he bought plants, herbs, meat, olive oil and beef jerky, while Max loves the muffins topped with M&M's candy.

The opportunity to shop locally was a drawing factor for some shoppers.

"In a day when it's still difficult for the most part (to shop locally), the Farmers Market provides that opportunity," said Don Berninger of Plymouth, who was buying locally produced honey with his daughter, Eva, 3.

He said he and his family walk downtown almost every week for the Farmers Market in the summer.

"We absolutely love the fact this is available," Berninger said, adding that he thinks food from the market just seems to "taste better."

Vendors were happy for the Farmers Market season to begin, too.

"This is awesome," said John Gelardi of South Lyon, who was selling produce for Banana Brother Produce, run by his son, Drew. "This is probably one of the best markets we go to, and we go to a lot of them."

This was the company's second year participating in Plymouth.

His stand offered fresh produce from throughout the U.S. When in season, stand's selection shifts exclusively to Michigan-made produce. 

Julie Cole of Northville marked her return to the market after an eight-year hiatus. She sold bread for Great Harvest Bread Co. and said she sells exclusively at Plymouth and Northville's markets.

"This is a good market for us," she said, noting that she gets a lot of Plymouth customers at her Northville shop. "It's a good way for us to come to them."

The Plymouth Farmers Market continues from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. each Saturday through.