We believe in the power of community and grassroots activism. Established in 1922, we’ve been a staple of our city, evolving to meet the changing needs of our diverse population.
We are committed to providing a vibrant marketplace experience that connects communities, supports local farmers and artisans, celebrates diverse cultures, and ensures sustainable food access for all.
MISSION
Our mission is to inspire agricultural participation in Grand Rapids by tending to meaningful connections and experiences at the Market.
VISION
Our vision to be the driving force behind the endurance of Michigan farmers and the sustenance of every Grand Rapidian.
VALUES
Meeting Community Needs
Our foundation is built on a deep understanding of the evolving needs of our community. We prioritize the delivery of fresh, local produce while actively seeking opportunities to address broader community needs, ensuring the Market remains a responsive and integral part of Grand Rapids' social fabric.
Embracing Change & Challenges
In our centennial journey, we embrace change as a constant companion. We confront challenges with resilience, adaptability, and a forward-thinking spirit, ensuring the Market remains a dynamic force in the ever-evolving landscape of agriculture.
Cultivating Harmony
We remain committed to fostering unity within our community by cultivating an atmosphere of inclusivity and collaboration. Our dedication to harmony extends beyond our Market stalls to embrace the diversity present in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
HISTORY
For over a century, Fulton Street Market has operated in the same location: Grand Rapids, Michigan. Beginning as an answer to high food prices in a growing industrial city, the Market has since become the birthplace of dozens of accomplished businesses around the state.
MEET THE TEAM
-
Executive Director
Entering her sixth season at the Market, Dana is proud to lead our dedicated team and steward a vision for the Market where all businesses can thrive. She spends her days supporting vendors, building community partnerships, and ensuring the fiscal health of the Market. As our food system continues to rapidly shift, Dana is dedicated to ensuring that the Market evolves to meet the needs of our producers and consumers alike.
-
Market Manager
As a former vendor and volunteer, Ron officially began working for the Market in January 2021. In his role as Market Manager, he is responsible for a diverse array of tasks including processing vendor applications, organizing events, and ensuring everyone follows the rules. During Market, you can find him chatting it up with vendors and customers while watching out for dogs and illegally parked cars.
-
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Working with the Market since the start of its Centennial's Main Season, DeAnne's role primarily focuses on social media. Utilizing her degree in Marketing from Grand Valley State University, DeAnne creates graphics to promote events, films farm and shop tours, and responds to customer inquiries via the Market's social media channels. During Market days, you can find her taking photographs of customers, vendors, and their products to post online.
-
Community Outreach Coordinator
Mary interned with us in the fall of 2023 before graduating with a degree in Environmental and Sustainability studies in December from Grand Valley. In March of 2024 she became our Community Outreach Coordinator and is responsible for supporting daily Market operations and special events, engaging with our community and helping to promote food assistance, our mission, and identify community needs.
-
Food Access Manager
Initially starting at the Market as an intern from GVSU and Social Innovation graduate researcher, Dan joined the FSM team in an official capacity as the Food Access Coordinator in the spring of 2019. Heading up the Food Recovery Program, Dan ensures community members have equitable access to healthy and nutritious foods while at the same time removing the environmental impact that comes with food waste. On Saturdays, towards the end of the Market day, you can find Dan organizing the collection of donations from our vendors to be distributed within the community and to partner organizations. From there, he, along with a cast of volunteers, sets up a curbside market in the Heartside neighborhood where any and everyone is welcome to grab what they need, free of cost.
-
Food Access Coordinator
Lyndsey gained an interest in local food systems after working for a produce vendor at the Fulton Street Market. She became an intern at the Market during her Master of Public Health program and assisted with the Food Recovery Program. Her passion for working with the Grand Rapids community and dedication to sustainability and increasing equitable access to fresh, local foods led to her role as the Food Access Coordinator. She works alongside Dan and a great team of volunteers to help manage the Food Recovery Program.
-
Farmers Market Food Navigator
Tessa is the Nutrition in Action Assistant Director at the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids and the Food Navigator at Fulton Street Market. As Food Navigator, Tessa provides nutrition resources to shoppers while educating them on purchasing, storing, and preparing their Market goodies. Through the Farmers Market Food Navigator Program, Tessa can address barriers that shoppers using food assistance might face, like building confidence in talking with vendors, using new foods, and selecting produce.
-
Market Master Gardener
Val has been a visitor to the Market for over 30 years. She became more involved when the Extension Office of Michigan State University staffed a Smart Gardening Booth with Master Gardeners in 2018. Her interest extended to planting a pollinator garden on the west side of the Market headhouse in 2019. With the pollinator garden established, Val began weeding and planting the landscape beds in the parking lot. By utilizing low maintenance, drought tolerant, and native plants in these gardens, she is setting them up to be easy to maintain and flourish in the future.
VENDOR COMMITTEE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Calvin Wiersma | President
Briana Trudell | Vice President
Jes Kramer | Treasurer
Melanie Conley | Secretary
Steve Krogman | City Liaison
Jennifer Bongiorno
Maria Filice
Sara Jorgensen
Chad Kirkpatrick
Kim Skeltis
Patrick Witucki
Jowei Yek
FINANCIALS
As a 501 (c)(3) organization, the Market strives to steward its resources to ensure that it continues to serve the community for years to come. The Market primarily relies on vendor stall fees, Market rentals, merchandise sales, its monthly giving campaign, and brick sales to fund its operations.
