Creative in Construction: The Hillard Farmers' Market

Most Columbus commuters can agree upon the frustration brought about by construction. Often times it seems as if the entire city and its' suburbs are being ripped up, torn apart, and paved over. Those orange barrels seem to snicker as traffic is re-routed and groans occur at each detour.

While the construction may lower some spirits, it has left the Hillard Farmers’ Market unphased. Smiling vendors greet their customers, happy that they have braved some of the city’s construction to shop at their market. The market itself has taken to some creative advertising in lou of the construction. No doubt this feature helps encouage those destined for the traffic jam to prolong their fate at the farmers’ market.

Upon entering the market, one of the first booths to stop at is Oink, Moo, Cluck. The name speaks for itself, as the Johnstown farm sells good produced from their livestock. Trisha Woods heads up the farm and the booth at Hillard was staffed by Vicky - a OSU beef production major. Vicky notes that the Johnstown farm only raises the chickens and cows, while their butcher shop in Northeast Ohio raises the pigs. Their farm is all natural. Their are no hormomes used as well as no steriods. However, the animals are sprayed with a topical fly and tick treater. This is done to prevent disease from entering the animals blood stream, as well as improve the comfort of the animal. “It would be like you getting sick and not taking any medication,” says Vicky, “you would be miserable and we don’t want our animals to be miserable.”

Oink, Moo, Cluck specializes in eggs, hot dogs, jerky, bacon, and many others. Their booth was a busy one at the market, with a constant flow of customers sampling and buying.  They can be found at the Dublin, Bexley, Clintonville, and Worthington markets as well as in Hillard. If you are looking for some Ohio raised meats, Oink, Moo, Cluck is worth checking out.

Though the surrounding construction may not be ideal, the Hillard market’s variety and zeal make for a lovely marketing experience. From meats and eggs to berries, zuchinni, and even some international treats, this market presents a well rounded package. 

A Certified Commitment to Local Eating: The Canal Winchester Farmers' Market

While many of the farmers’ markets are situated on public sidewalks or in parking lots, the Canal Winchester market's location is something to be desired. 

The gazebo-esque building houses about 25 vendors - both artisans and farmers’ alike. The location is new to the market, says market manager Bruce Jarvis. The market used to span across the side walks on S. High Street in downtown Canal Winchester. However, this set up proved difficult for vendors and customers alike.

“Because most of the vendors wanted to be on a corner, we had to use two side of the street,” said Mr. Jarvis. This set-up forced customers to cross the busy street to shop the full market. Overall, it just wasn’t working and the new space is now in its second year. It is unique to itself, providing an intimate atmosphere and much appreciated shade on hot days.

Another unique component of the Canal Winchester Market is what Mr. Jarvis calls "Market Master Certification”. While most market customers are under the assumption that all farmers’ market vendors are local farmers, this is not always the case. While most vendors do farm their own produce, there are some that purchase produce at auctions and turn around and sell it for a profit. It is not illegal by any means, but it does change the illusion of the farmers’ market slightly. 

That is where the Market Master Certification comes in. Mr. Jarvis has created certificates (see right) for farmers’ with their own produce to display. This certificate means that Mr. Jarvis himself has personally gone and seen their farm and their methods of farming in action. “It’s not that vendors who purchase produce aren’t welcome,” Mr. Jarivs commented, “but they do not display the certificates.” From the customer prospective, this is a great way to shop the market with certainty. 

One vendor at the market who proudly displays their Market Master Certification is Chicory Fields Farm. Having only started working the market the week prior, this cute little stand is a great stop for green eaters. Run by Maggie Hanzlik and her mom, Ann, the whole idea was inspired by Maggie and her love of agriculture. Since she is studying the subject at OSU, Ms. Hanzlik decided to expand her garden at her Pickerington home and see how she could do at the farmers’ markets. 

Maggie Hanzlik, left, with mom, Ann

Chicory Fields Farms offers a variety of greens including chard, basil, and baby kale. Baby kale was Ms. Hanzlik’s own idea. She simply plucked the kale before it was full grown - giving it a softer, sweeter taste. For kale fans, it makes a huge difference! Aside from baby kale, Chicory offers chard and a fun recipe for a summer chard smoothie (post to come!). Along with the rest of the market, the Hanzlik ladies are certain worth checking out.

Upon walking out of the market’s shaded gazebo and down the sidewalk, there are a few scattered vendors still camped on the sidewalk. Mr. Jarvis informed that these few have been a part of the market for years and enjoy their original locations. Though they are just steps from the epicenter of the market, they are not short of business. 

David Herron’s “Fresh Pies” sign would catch the eye of any passer by, and well it should. His homemade pies are more like a crème brûlée or custard and are perfect for summer. Light, sweet, and delicious, his is a booth worth stopping by if you are headed to a cook out and can’t think of what to bring.

With genuine, close to home vendors, a commitment to local foods, and a warm atmosphere, the Canal Winchester farmers’ market seems to do well by its customers and its vendors. 

A Modern Town Square: The Reynoldsburg Farmers' Market

Traditionally, the town square was a large, open area in the center of a town or city, whose purpose was a place of community. Friends, neighbors, and business people would use the square as a place to gather. It was a place where old friends would reconnect, business owners would network, and politics, ideas, general goings-on could be discussed. It was a social networking hub. To some, the concept seems outdated and now replaced by a parade of websites and phone apps that do our socializing for us. 

However, the local farmers’ market leands the differ to being begged. 

The market had a great crowd for their July 7thopening day! 

Tucked down a windy road just to the right of downtown Reynoldsburg, there exists the modern town square - the farmers’ market. Vendors pitch up on a thin stretch of grass and customers flock to their booths. While the market itself is small, its' traffic is heavy. This has been true of the market since day one, says market manager Nadie Morse. “When we started four years ago, we only had six or seven vendors,” says Morse, “and we had about 1,000 people show up!” 

Market manager Nadine Morse, left, with
volunteers Chris and Sandy Long.

Now boasting 18-22 vendors weekly and the customers to match, Reynoldsburg has even more to be proud of then a successful market. The city itself is credited with the invention of the modern tomato. The city is nicknamed "The Birthplace of the Tomato" and holds a festival each August in celebration. Ms. Morse said that the market will run events in coordination with the festival, including featuring a variety of tomato products. 

Tomatoes will be the stars of the market during
the Tomato Festival, which runs August 19th-20th

Needless to say, the Reynoldsburg market has a lot going for it - it is a place of great social connection, excellent produce and product, high traffic, and exciting tradition. When asked why she thinks the market remains successful, Ms. Morse explained that the markets location, atmosphere, and friendly vendors make it all possible. But she also goes back to that town square idea- that the market is a centrally located gathering place. “I’ve seen people who used to be neighbors reconnect here at the market.” says Morse, “It’s not that they moved far away, just to a different part of Reynoldsburg.”

In Reynoldsburg, as in many of Greater Columbus suburbs, the farmers’ market - be it large or small - is acting as a place where Facebook, iPhones, and emails are being set aside for genuine human connection.

A Week in Markets: Markets Listed by Day

Hey markets friends!

To compliment the alphabetical Farmers' Market list (found here), this one lists the markets by what day of the week they fall on. You will notice that Monday and Sunday are not included. This is simply because there are no markets on those days.

Feel free to print this off, post it on the fridge, and market away!

Hope this helps with your market planning! And as always, Happy Marketing!