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Three of the five Leelanau Farmers Markets this year will offer online ordering and curbside pickup. All five markets will feature face-to-face ordering, with vendor booths spaced further apart, sidewalk chalk indicating where customers may stand, masks strongly suggested, and hand sanitizer available everywhere. “Markets are really community-based, social entities,” said board chair Ginger Bardenhagen. “People love to go there and see their farmers and chat with them. They love to have their coffee and eat their croissants while they buy their peas. It’s going to be a challenge this year to dissuade people from congregating, and convincing them to just buy their produce and leave.”

One of the highlights of living or vacationing in Leelanau County during the summer is the proliferation of fresh fruits and vegetables and locally produced meats, cheeses, honey, maple syrup, jams and jellies, flowers and baked goods found at roadside stands and farmers markets. For many, a weekly, or twice weekly, visit to one of the county’s five farmers markets is a tradition, not only for purchasing local products but for chatting with vendors, socializing with other customers (and dogs!) and taking photos.

The Leelanau Farmers Markets will host their annual Kick-Off Meeting on Wednesday, May 2 at 7 p.m. at the Leelanau County Government Center. Come and meet the Board and Market Masters, discuss 2011 survey results and review the new rules and updates for the upcoming 2012 season. But mostly, join us for desserts and camaraderie.

A chef demonstration featuring Randy Chamberlain, chef and owner of Blu in Glen Arbor, will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2 at the Glen Arbor Farmers Market. The chef demo is free, and everyone is welcome to watch Chef Randy prepare a meal using fresh produce and products from the farmers market.