Upcoming Events

Market GLEAN Basket - Healthy Food for Hungry People

Situated in The Community's parking lot, the Ada Village Farmers Market opened on Tuesday, June 22, and runs through September 28, noon - 6:00pm. For the second year, The Community is joining seven other Ada/Forest Hills churches in sponsoring and staffing the "Market GLEAN Basket - Healthy Food for Hungry People." 

Shoppers are encouraged to buy a little extra from a vendor and donate it to the GLEAN Basket, and at the end of the day, vendors often donate unsold produce and food as well.  Monetary donations are also gladly accepted and the donated food and money contributions are divided between two local agencies; Flat River Outreach Ministries in Lowell, and God's Kitchen in Grand Rapids.  So, stop by the Farmers Market on Tuesday and give to GLEAN.

 

 

Ada Village Farmer's Market

 

West Michigan's Friendly Farm Market

The Community's parking lot is the home of the Ada Village Farmer's Market, a project of the Ada Township Downtown Development Authority (D.D.A.).

Although Ada Township has had a Farmer's Market for a number of years, it has never offered the number and variety of vendors and produce as it does today.

The Ada Village Farmer's Market now brings a greatly-enhanced market experience to Ada residents and visitors.

Highlights of our Market include:

• Rated by patrons as one of West Michigan's best market experiences.
• More than 30 vendors from throughout West Michigan, featuring a wide variety of locally-grown vegetables, fruits, meats, cheeses, breads and flowers.
• New location at The Community, located at 7239 Thornapple River Drive.
• Ample parking on-site and nearby.
• Generous circulation space for market patrons.
• Close to nearby shops and restaurants in Ada Village.
• New! Ada restaurants offering prepared meals packaged for you to enjoy on-site or take home.
• New! Kid's Garden

Newly Expanded Market Schedule:

Our season has been expanded from last year, and our hours of operation have expanded to provide more convenience to our patrons.

Tuesday, June 22 through Tuesday, September 28, 2010.

Hours:

Noon until 6 p.m.

 

 

 

The Ada Village Kids' Garden is recruiting kids to participate in this year's gardening program.   The program is targeted for youth ages 9-12.  The program will engage kids in hands-on gardening activities including planting, maintaining and harvesting crops, plus lessons and workshops about vegetable gardening, cooking and foods for healthy lifestyles.  In addition, the kids will learn business skills by helping sell items at the Ada Farmers' Markets and social responsibility by donating extra produce to local food banks.

 

The program will start with Thursday after-school sessions, May 13 to June 3, and then continue with work days and gardening lessons on Thursday mornings through the rest of June and July.  Starting in July and running through mid-September, participants will sign up for morning or afternoon sessions to work in the garden and help sell produce at the Farmers' Market.

 

There is a small fee to participate in the program to cover snacks and other support costs. Fees may be pro-rated for partial enrollment.  Staff from the Ada Township Parks & Recreation Department, our church, and volunteers from the MSU Master Gardener Program will supervise and instruct the youth participants. 

 

Registration forms are available in the narthex or through the Ada Township Parks & Recreation Department. Contact the Park Office at 616-676-0520 or email mfitzpatrick@adatownshipmi.com for a registration packet or for more information on the Ada Village Kids' Garden.