Known as one of the largest open air markets in the country at one time, the Benton Harbor Fruit Market will reopen this weekend, and will feature fresh produce straight from local growers.
The market will open Friday through Sunday, 8am to 2pm, at 1891 Territorial Road in Benton Harbor.
Matt McManus is leading the charge on the reopening, and comments, “The current Benton Harbor Fruit Market opened in 1966, when it moved from the previous location by the river in Benton Harbor. The market itself is a 22 acre facility. It’s huge. There has been some wholesale activity in the back. For some reason, over 20 years ago they chose to close the front area and didn’t reopen it. We decided that as a service to our local growers, we would open that area and give the local community this opportunity.”
Matt points out that he’s working feverishly to clean up the front area from the 20 years of non-use. He also cautions that you’re not going to see shiny isles or end cap displays. This is a different type of buying experience.
“This isn’t like a grocery store, or farm stand. This is a wholesale type of market. There will be some things on tables. But a lot of it will be on the back of a truck or on a trailer, that came directly from a farm. People will literally will have an opportunity to purchase something that just got harvested. This is very fresh produce directly from the farm, directly from the farmer, at very reasonable prices,” Matt adds.
Matt realized this area is closely tied to the agricultural community, and when he announced the reopening on Facebook earlier this week, the news took off. He stated in his Facebook post that “the objective is to serve the growers that support the market, and provide fresh produce at a great value for our community.”
Matt continues, “The growing season this year has been a challenge. We had a late spring, lots of rain. Everything is running a bit late. We’re not a grocery store or anything like that, so we’re going to run out of product. Many of the growers have farm stands that support the market. They’re going to have some banners up. If we run out of product, which we probably will, people will have the opportunity to visit growers’ farm stands to get that fresh produce from your local community.”
Matt credits Monte Packaging as a big supporter and “originals” of the market. This fruit market will be taking place in one of Monte’s buildings, at one of their locations. At least on Friday, they will have a variety of packages and bags available for purchase at the location.
For more information on the Benton Harbor Fruit Market, you can visit their Facebook page. You can also call: 925-0681
