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May 8: ‘Say (Para Para Creamery) Cheese’ and head to the Chelsea Farmers Market

One of Para Para Creamery’s most popular cheeses.

By Lisa Carolin

The Chelsea Farmers Markets are underway, and Wednesday’s market, located at the Chelsea State Bank parking lot at the intersection of M-52 and Old US12, promises fresh produce, baked goods, and more.

The Wednesday market’s hours are 1-5 p.m., and asparagus, spinach, rhubarb, and a variety of plants will be available this week.

One of the new vendors this season is Po Earlich, owner of Para Para Creamery, located in Stockbridge. He sells cheddar, gouda, and feta cheeses, feta spreads and fresh curds in different flavors, and will soon offer mozzarella cheese.

Earlich’s in-laws own a dairy farm in Stockbridge, which has meant there’s a lot of milk around.

“I have a PhD in molecular medicine, and making cheese is a lot of science and biochemistry,” said Earlich. “I took a cheesemaking course at Michigan State University and made my first batch of cheese in October of 2017.

Earlich’s wife helps when she can. They have three young children. Para Para Creamery is at both Chelsea’s Wednesday and Saturday markets.

“Chelsea is the closest town to us and seems to be most appreciative of good food,” said Earlich.

Among the other vendors at this season’s Wednesday market are Brieland-Schoultz Farm, Jacob’s Fresh Farm Shares, K’s Acres, Needle Lane Farm, Pregitzer Farm, Bordine Farms, Golden Fleece Farms, Marks Farm, Kapnick Orchards, Affeathermations, LA Baguette, Stone Hearth Bakery, Lavender and Honey Herbal Apothecary, Awakened Provisions, Sweet & Salty (cookies), Smellz So Good (candles), and Jam Man.

More information on the Chelsea Farmers Market can be found at http://chelseafarmersmkt.org.

Herbs from the farmers markets.
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