How Fulton Street Market is connecting communities, supporting local farmers and artisans, and celebrating West Michigan's diverse culture(07-12-25)

WYCE's Community Closeup (*conversations concerning issues of importance in West Michigan)

In this week's episode, WYCE station manager Phil Tower welcomes Dana Eardley, executive director of Fulton Street Market, and Anissa Mathiasz, assistant market manager at the Fulton Street Market.

Fulton Street Market celebrates the power of community and grassroots activism.

Established in 1922, Fulton Street Market has been a staple of Grand Rapids and beyond, evolving to meet the changing needs of our diverse population.

Dana Eardley talked about how Fulton Street Market has been working hard to create a vibrant marketplace experience that connects communities, supports local farmers and artisans, celebrates diverse cultures, and ensures sustainable food access for all.

We also learned that their mission is to inspire agricultural participation in Grand Rapids by tending to meaningful connections and experiences at the Market.

Other topics that Dana and Anissa touched on in this episode included:

• How the Fulton Street Market is working to achieve its mission of increasing food access in our community.
• Workshops and other learning opportunities that happen at the market.
• How the market is evolving to meet the needs of our growing and diverse West Michigan community.

Learn more online: Fulton Street Market