Frankenmuth, Mich. – Frankenmuth witnessed the world’s first drive-thru farmers market on Aug. 12.
A steady stream of traffic, growers selling out of items, and tremendous excitement surrounding the event spelled a huge success for the Frankenmuth Farmers Market Board of Directors, creating demand for future recurrences.
More than 250 shoppers drove through a lineup of farmers and artisans in the McDonald's parking lot.
FFM President Dietrich Bronner said, “We aimed to introduce the Market to new clientele, those who live 40 miles away but work in Frankenmuth, the mobility-challenged, and people unfamiliar with the joys of the regular Market due to convenience, ease, or scheduling. The drive-thru succeeded on many fronts, creating a huge buzz for the Market and greatly increasing its awareness for everyone. In fact, questioning how the drive-thru access would work, many customers came just for the fun of it,” reported Bronner, also president of the Michigan Farmers Market Association. “Slow food in the fast lane—a super success!”
Drive-thru customers received coupons for free McDonald’s fruit smoothies using some of the four million pounds of Michigan blueberries McDonald’s purchases. McDonald’s spends $443.5 million per year on Michigan agricultural products, creating an additional 51,680 jobs, $645 million in in-state spending, and $40.6 million in taxes, according to FFM.
