By Jennifer S. McDonald
C & G Staff Writer

ROCHESTER — For 10 years, Sharon Ostrowski has been selling her farm’s produce directly to consumers through stands. And when Rochester opened a farmer’s market in 1998, she claimed a position, never missing a Saturday with the freshest products each season.

The market, located at East Third and Water streets, marked its 10th annual opening May 2. It’ll be open every Saturday through Oct. 31, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Ostrowski, who owns SharKar Farms in East China, Mich., will sell everything from fresh eggs and herbs in the spring to a full line of vegetables as the weather heats up, she said. Patrons’ favorites include eggplant, zucchini, squash and bell peppers, she added.

“We’ve always liked the market,” Ostrowski said. “It was the first market we went to when I started back farming. They have such a wonderful atmosphere out there.”

The Rochester Downtown Development Authority sponsors the market, and organizers of are proud to offer only Michigan-grown or made products.

According to Rochester DDA Marketing Coordinator Nancy Voges, each year the market features a unique variety of products, such as vegetables, fruits, fresh-cut flowers, container gardens, herbs, homemade baked goods, jams and jellies, maple syrup and locally roasted, organic coffee.

For the 2009 season, the market will include 25 vendors, with new merchants such as the Bean and Leaf Café, Planet Pizza and Nature’s Pace Organics of Davison. Blue Ridge Berry Farm will also be back, after taking a year off.

“We’re a very family-oriented town, and I think this is a great family activity. There are many things they like — the variety, the freshness, the interaction with local farmers — plus it helps the economy downtown,” Voges said.

Laurie Anderson, owner of the Bean and Leaf Café, plans to be on hand during the 10th annual market, offering her signature brands of coffee and tea, as well as breakfast items such as scones, muffins and cookies.

She said that since this is their first year participating, it will be a “learning process.” As they figure out what items shoppers would like to eat with their coffees and teas, they will add more, Anderson added.

“Being new to the downtown, we thought this was a real good way to get our name out there,” Anderson said. “Plus, I’ve always loved farmer’s markets. We do a lot of organic fair trade, and we try to stay very, very local with our products. So, it seemed like a good way to represent our store.”

For more information, contact the Rochester DDA at (248) 656-0060, or visit www.downtownrochestermi.com.