ANN ARBOR, MI – Lines of students gradually exited Mitchell Elementary in the afternoon sun, holding up plastic shopping bags to receive fresh produce.

Apples, peaches, green peppers, squash, celery and carrots — they each received multiple free items from local growers to take home as part of a student-focused farmers market near the school’s front entrance on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

“Like for a rabbit?” asked a young student.

Nearby, Leah Fabian, harvest manager for the Ann Arbor-based Green Things Farm Collective, held out tall stalks of celery, complete with their leafy tops.

“Rabbits do love celery,” she replied.

It was the second time a market had been organized at Mitchell with Ann Arbor Public Schools and its food service provider, Chartwells.

Sandra Short, Chartwells’ assistant

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