Around Us & About Us: Winter at the Market

Jon and Mary Jo Visser

Article and photo by Donna Iverson 

“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom stays these couriers from the completion of their tasks.” 
This decades old motto of the post office could also be said of a few farmer’s market vendors who offer their veggies outdoors throughout the winter.  

“We’re here from 0 degrees to 90,” said Jon Visser, of Crisp Country Acres. The Visser family keeps the farm stand at the Muskegon Farmers Market open all winter, every winter, no matter the weather. 
 “We think it’s what our customers want,” Visser said.  Our goal is to provide fresh homegrown vegetables harvested within a day or two of sale, he added. 

In March, those fresh vegetables include Potatoes, Beets, Carrots, Onions, Lettuce, Swiss Chard, Kale, Parsnips, Turnips, Rutabagas, Radishes, Apples, and Frozen 
Blueberries.  There were some pussy willow branches too. The Visser farm is located on 120th Ave in Holland.

Another vendor who can be found outside all winter at the Muskegon Farmers Market is Kathy’s Produce of Ravenna.  While, inside the market barn and out of the cold are many other food vendors,  I prefer to shop with the farmers who brave the elements. 
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For more info check out crispcountryacres.com.  Both vendors are on Facebook.

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