Delicious Apples at the Saline Winter Farmers Market

Featured Vendor this week!

Kapnicks Orchards of Britton, Michigan is a popular vendor destination at the Saline Winter Farmers Market for delicious apples including Fuji, McIntosh, Empire, Northern Spy, Braeburn, as well as apple cider, apple butter and baked goods.  Many customers are delighted that they can get fresh, local apples throughout the winter. 

Scott Robertello, owner tells us “Kapnick Orchards has been a family owned business for many years. It was founded in 1958 by Robert and Gertrude Kapnick and Charles and Janice Kapnick. Our farm market, near Tecumseh, was first opened in 1961. In 1975, Charles and Janice purchased the market from Charles' parents Robert and Gertrude Kapnick. Currently the market is operated by Sharon and Bruce Shaffer and Scott Robertello, who purchased the farm from Janice in 2001. Sharon is the daughter of Janice and Charles. In 2001, Kapnick Orchards celebrated their 40th anniversary. During the forty years, Kapnick Orchards has seen many changes. It was transformed from a one room store to the larger operation of today.“

Scott says “not only has the size grown, but also so has the product line. We have our own bakery and cider mill. Our product line includes many fruits and vegetables, and our own homemade fudge and apple butter. We also carry a great line of jams, candies and nuts. We press our own unpasteurized cider, which gives it a unique and fantastic flavor, but we also offer our cider treated with UV light as an alternative to pasteurization.”

“Fall is a great time at Kapnick Orchards,” Scott said. “We offer u-pick apples and pumpkins. We conduct many school tours and have wagon rides through our Enchanted Forest. Kids love to visit, pet, and feed our farm animals. The second weekend in October is our annual Apple Festival, which is a big event in the area. At the festival, we have arts and crafts and lots of entertainment and food. It is great fun for the whole family.”  Visit http://www.kapnickorchards.com for more information.

Saline Winter Farmers Market is open 9am-noon every Saturday at Liberty School, 7265 Saline Ann Arbor Road.

For more information call Nancy Crisp, Market Manager at 734 429-3518 or visit our website at cityofsaline.org/farmersmarket.

Delicious Eggs at the Saline Winter Farmers Market

Featured Vendor:  Kniffen Family Farms, Britton, MI

Nancy Crisp, Market Manager often hears customers say “Paul Kniffen has the best eggs that I have ever tasted.”  Paul’s eggs are very popular and he often sells out.  Kniffen Farms is a small family owned farm and has been in business since 1864. Paul tells us “we are raising all of our produce and meats like our fore fathers have done for years. We are here to provide you and your family with the highest quality produce and meats available at an affordable price.  We offer fresh brown eggs which are all natural, cage free and grain fed.  Also available are broiler chickens which are between 5 and 6 pounds dressed weight and are all natural with no use of antibiotics or steroids.  

For more information call Nancy Crisp, Market Manager at 734 429-3518 or visit our website at cityofsaline.org/farmersmarket.

Delicious Maple Syrup at the Saline Winter Farmers Market

Kelly Farms located in Dexter joined the Saline Winter Farmers Market when it started in November and is gathering a devoted clientele for their delicious maple syrup. 

Jane Kelly with her daughter Laura tells us, “We’ve been making syrup for five years right on our own property.”  “Between our yard and a neighbor’s yard, we have 220 taps.”

The syrup itself is produced only during the month of March, when Kelly said temperatures are ideal for harvesting.

“Temperatures have to be above freezing during the day and below freezing at night,” she said.

Because of the short time frame, Kelly employs her husband, John, and the couple’s two sons, Jim and Mike, as well as their grandchildren, to harvest the maple sap.

“It takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup and we produce 90 gallons of syrup in March—so you can imagine the work,” she said.

A maple tree needs to be at least 10 inches in diameter, which corresponds with roughly 40 years of growth, before it can be safely tapped to collect the sap. Kelly said trees are tapped using a cordless drill and a small plastic spile—a little tube with a spout on one end.  The technique dates back to when American Indians taught European settlers how to gash tress for sap harvesting.

“We collect the sap in the evening and process it on a wood burner outside throughout the night and bottle the syrup the next day,” Kelly said.

The syrup sells for $75 a gallon, $25 a quart, $12 for 12 ounces and $8 for 8 ounces.

“It has a great shelf life and it's locally produced, she said.

Nuts coated with maple syrup and toasted are also a Kelly Farm specialty.

For more information about the Saline Winter Farmers Market call Nancy Crisp, Market Manager at 734 429-3518 or email salinefarmersmarket@comcast.net or visit our website at cityofsaline.org/farmersmarket.

Saline Indoor Winter Farmers Market

The Saline Winter Farmers Market is still abundant with over 20 vendors.  We are open every Saturday from 9am-noon at Liberty School, 7265 Saline Ann Arbor Rd. 

Available this week from Capella Farm is arugula, salad mix (baby mizuna, yukina savoy and tatsoi), spinach, dill, cilantro, potatoes (Kennebec and German Butterball), red turnips, carrots, black radishes, kamutsuna summerfest, kale, chard, rosemary and parsley, mustard.  Prochaska Farm has spinach, radishes, winter squash and cabbage as well as sauerkraut and popcorn.

We also have yummy breads, cookies, muffins, sweet rolls, brownies, pepperoni rolls, pies, and candy.  Many of customers come every week to stock up on apples and cider, eggs, fresh roasted coffee beans, local cheese, maple syrup, jams and soap.  Of course we also have lovely hand crafted items. 

For more information call Nancy Crisp, Market Manager at 734 429-3518 or email salinefarmersmarket@comcast.net or visit our website at cityofsaline.org/farmersmarket.