Fulton Street Farmers Market, Grand Rapids

For over a hundred years, the Fulton Street Farmers Market has been a cornerstone of Grand Rapids, offering fresh produce, artisan goods, and a strong sense of community. Established in 1922 as a response to high food prices in the city’s industrial boom, the market quickly became a gathering place for local farmers, vendors, and residents. Unlike many other markets that faded over time, Fulton Street Farmers Market remains in its original location, evolving while staying true to its roots.

Before the market’s founding, 19th-century farmers sold goods from wagons downtown, but early 1900s regulations forced them into wholesale markets. Advocating for easier access to fresh food, the Grand Rapids Federation of Women’s Clubs pushed for city-run farmers markets, including Fulton Street. By the late 1920s, these markets drew over a million customers annually, with city-supported infrastructure.

Unlike other Grand Rapids markets lost to urban development, Fulton Street Farmers Market survived thanks to its neighborhood location. Managed by the city for decades, it later became a city park. Renovated in the late 1980s, it thrived under Jeff Dykstra’s leadership in the 1990s.

Today, Fulton Street Farmers Market is the oldest and largest farmers market in Grand Rapids, hosting over 200 vendors each week during peak season. Open-air stalls burst with seasonal fruits and vegetables, dairy products, fresh-baked goods, honey, maple syrup, and more. On Sundays, artisans take center stage, offering handmade crafts, jewelry, and specialty products. The market has evolved into a beloved weekend destination, where locals and visitors alike browse, shop, and connect with Michigan-based producers.