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Celebrating local food in our community
Meet us at the 2026 Local Food Festival!
Thursday, August 27th, 2026 | 5:00-8:00 pm | Ann Arbor Farmers Market
We're looking forward to welcoming the Ann Arbor Local Food Festival, Ann Arbor's annual celebration of Michigan food and farming, back to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market on August 27th!
This free public festival showcases farms, food makers, and local organizations focused on growing a strong and sustainable local food system. Festival goers will learn about the benefits of local and sustainably grown food, eat delicious local food, participate in fun and educational activities, and enjoy music.
What to Expect at Local Food Festival
The Local Food Festival features delicious food and fun activities for attendees of all ages. Stop by on August 27th, 2026 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm to spend an evening with friends and family while celebrating local food and farming!
Live Music
Games & Educational Exhibits
Experience the vibrant flavors of Michigan's harvest with special chef demonstrations by local food educators and renowned chefs!
5:30 pm: Chef Kori Kanayama of Purslane Commons will be demonstrating a seasonal dish, to be announced soon! Learn more about Chef Kori here: Purslane Commons
7:00 pm: Mary Balog, RDN of Argus Farm Stop and Mary B. Wellness will be preparing Zucchini Ribbon Salad with Creamy Herb Tahini Dressing! Learn more about Mary here: Mary B. Wellness, LLC
Come hungry to learn! Free samples will be provided.
Get Creative at the Craft Zone!
Stop by the Craft Zone to create your own veggie stamp art! Make a print to take home or level it up by turning your creation into a beautiful, homemade cookbook zine! Kids and adults will love this hands-on, veggie-inspired art project.
Stop by the Tasting Table to sample the freshest seasonal fruits and veggies from local farms! Discover the rich variety of flavors in our region's harvest, learn about the people behind the produce, and see what makes each veggie unique. Don't forget to cast your vote for your favorite bite of the day!
2026 Featured Farms:
Hands-on Activities & Exhibits
The Local Food Festival offers many unique and family-friendly opportunities to immerse yourself in Ann Arbor's local food system. Taste, discover, connect, and play with these activities and more at the Ann Arbor Local Food Festival!
Explore the Culinary Archive
with U-M Special Collections
Discover historical recipes from the nation's largest community cookbook archive!
All About Local Meat
with Damian's Craft Meats
Learn about our local meat system with Damian's Craft Meats! Test your knowledge, connect with local livestock farmers, and share your perspectives.
Local Honey Tasting
with the Community Farm of Ann Arbor
What's the buzz about local honey? Try free samples of honey from local bees at the Local Honey Tasting!
Life of a Compost Pile
with Project Grow
Discover the life of a compost pile with live composting demonstrations from Project Grow Master Composters!
MI Foraged Delicacies
with Will Forage for Food
Learn about safe foraging and discover Michigan's wild edible plants with Will Forage for Food!
Rain Gardens
with WC Water Resources Commissioner's Office
Watch as soil filters rain water in this live rain garden demonstration with the Washtenaw Master Rain Gardeners!
Compost Toss
with A²ZERO
Think you know food waste? Test you knowledge (and your throwing arm) at the Compost Toss!
Get to Know the Greenbelt
with Ann Arbor Natural Areas Preservation
Explore Ann Arbor's innovative land preservation program and learn about how farmland preservation supports our local food system.
Local Water Tasting
with Huron River Watershed Council
See how Ann Arbor water compares to other water sources in this fun, local water tasting!
2026 Food Vendors & Community Exhibitors
Find out who's coming to the Local Food Festival
Are you a local food business or community organization interested in participating in the Local Food Festival?
Submit an application today to join the waitlist for this year's event!
Getting to the Festival
Event Location: Ann Arbor Farmers Market | 315 Detroit Street, Ann Arbor, MI
The Local Food Festival takes place at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, located at 315 Detroit Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan. The market is conveniently located in Ann Arbor's Kerrytown district, which is centrally located within the city.
The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is located a short walk or bike ride from downtown Ann Arbor. You will find bike racks on Fifth Ave and Detroit Street. For more information on biking in Ann Arbor, including a map, please visit the City's biking web page.
The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is located along several AAATA bus routes (stops for routes 22, 33, 61, and 65). The market is also just four blocks from Blake Transit Center (stops for routes 3, 4, 5, 6, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34).
The market parking lot will be closed during this event. Please find parking elsewhere around Kerrytown.
There are several public parking lots and garages within walking distance of the market. Parking garages are located at Ann and Ashley, and Fourth and Washington streets. Metered parking is available at Fourth and Catherine (temporarily unavailable due to construction), Ann and Main, and First and Huron streets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the festival free to attend?
Admission to the Local Food Festival is free, however food and drink will be available to purchase from participating food & farm vendors.
Where is the festival located?
The Local Food Festival takes place at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. The market is located at 315 Detroit Street, Ann Arbor, MI.
Is there drinking water available at the event?
Yes, free drinking water will be available at the event. Be sure to bring your refillable water bottle - there will be a water station at the Local Food Festival where you can fill it up!
Is the festival a zero waste event?
At the Local Food Festival, we're committed to reducing waste and protecting the environment. Every disposable item we avoid helps us keep our landfills smaller and achieve our community sustainability goals, which include moving towards a local circular economy, where resources are used efficiency and waste is eliminated!
We encourage all attendees to bring their own reusable eating utensils, cups, and containers. It's a small action that makes a big difference!
If you're unable to bring your own - have no fear! Many of our vendors & exhibitors will provide compostable or recyclable food ware. Waste station with dedicated bins for compost, recycling, and landfill waste will be located throughout the festival.
Will the festival still happen if it rains?
The Local Food Festival is a rain or shine event. Please check the forecast before coming and plan ahead!
In the event of severe weather, such as severe thunderstorms, extreme temperatures, or poor air quality, the event organizers will make a decision about cancellation by no later than 3:00 pm on August 28th. Please check our social media, @a2zero2030 on Instagram and @A2Zero on Facebook for the latest updates.
Due to food safety restrictions, only licensed service animals are allowed inside the market.
Why does supporting local farmers & food producers matter?
There are many reasons to buy locally grown food, including:
SUMMER GAME 2025: LOCALFOODFEST
One of the great gifts of being a Michigander is that we don't have to look anywhere for food but home. With just local and in-season foods, we can have a world class food culture.
-Chef Joseph Van Wagner, Echelon Kitchen & Bar
