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!

A Lot to Offer in The Figlio's Lot: The Grandview Farmers' Market

Situated just across the street from the previous year's lot, the Grandview Farmers' Market is bustling with produce, food carts, and new events for the new year. 

Becky Hetteberg, left, and Dorthy Pritchard of the
 Grandview Ave Market

Becky Hetteberg, one of the markets directors, says that this year the market is putting on an event called Farm to Table. This event, which will be held in August. In conjunction with many of the local restaurants on Grandview Ave, the market will offer customers the chance to walk the avenue and try dishes featuring the market's produce. The event will run at the same time as the market, 10-1pm, and will hopefully inspire the market's customers to try new dishes, as well as bring business for their vendors. 

Audra and Michaela Juarez of Cottage Gardens 

Speaking of vendors, nearly every vendor at the Grandview market holds their own. Being a smaller market, their are little to no repeats in produce. While old friends like Allen from Columbus Pasta were there (he was featured here on this blog), new ones were discovered as well. Audra Juarez of Cottage Gardens in Degraff, OH, and her daughter, Michaela, had a very unique crop to share with the Grandview customers. "Popping Corn", pictured below, as Ms. Juarez called it, is exactly what it sounds like - the type of corn used to make pop corn. While that seems simple, Ms. Juarez says that it actually takes quite a while for the corn to be ready (much unlike the 2 minutes or so it take to prepare the traditional movie snack).


Popping corn has to be planted the season prior to harvesting in order for it to be right for, well, popping. "This corn is actually from 2010," Ms. Juarez informed.  She also said that it has be dry out for a few months as well before it's ready for popping. After that whole process is finished, the corn can simply be put in a paper bag, stuck in the microwave for a minute and a half, and then enjoyed right off the cob! Furthermore, if stove top popcorn is more your style, simply shuck the corn off the cob and it's all ready for popping. The Juarez family and their unique treat can be found at not only the Grandview market, but in Clintonville and Worthington as well. If you are in the area, their $1 cobs are worth purchasing for your next movie night.


There was more then popping corn to learn about at the Grandview farmers' market. The market managers, Beth Hetteberg and Dorthy Pritchard, were very informative when it came to some of the backstage details of how a farmers' market runs. Ms. Hetteberg mentioned that her and Ms. Pritchard were unpaid, though the vendors often gift them with produce for their hard work. Though it's volunteer, it is obvious that they love what they do, as well as love the market itself. They are continuing to try and grow the market by petitioning the city of Columbus to allow them to sell on the sidewalk. They also hope to bring in a meat and egg vendor as well, to further diversify their market. It will take time, no doubt, but it will be exciting to see the market grow and change - as it will be with all markets.

The Westerville Farmers' Market

Small markets can seem intimidating because of their intimate size. However, the intimacy is actually a benefit. These markets eliminate a “too crowded” atmosphere that many larger markets can have by default.

The Westerville Farmers’ Market fits into the small, intimate market category. Situated just across the street from the Methodist Church in downtown Westerville, this market boasts quality vendors. 

Along with vendors like Sugar Inc, who have been features here on this blog before, their are vendors like Rohini of Arjay Gourmet Foods Ltd. 

Rohini makes her own, authentic Indian chutney. Chutney, which originated in India, was adopted by the British during colonization. Rohini says that the British version is much sweeter. Authentic Indian chutney varies in flavors based on what’s in it. Rohini makes two spice levels - mild and spicy - and uses different vegetables, fruits, and herbs accordingly. Chutney can be used as a dip or as a spread on toast and sandwiches. More information about Rohini and her chutney can be found at chutneylady.com

Needless to say, Rohini’s authentic chutney adds a certain unique touch to the Westerville market. Furthermore, it’s fun to think that such a unique food with such a long history is made authentically in Columbus, Ohio!

A Place of Relationship: The Clintonville Farmers' Market

Lined up along High St. just North of North Broadway, the Clintonville Farmers' Market draws quite a crowd on Saturday mornings. Most people seem to walk to the market from their homes, while others ride their bikes or simply drive. 

Amidst all the bike helmets, strollers, and dog leashes, the vendors and artisans offer a wide variety of product with a smile. From carrot farms, organic meat producers, and herbs and flowers, a full kitchen could easily be accomplished at this market. 

Meet my little basil plant.

Herbs and spices are a lucrative product at most farmers' markets, and the Clintonville market is no different. There were several booths that offered a variety of plants to round out any garden - herb or otherwise. One vendor, Beth Elder from Terre Verte Farm, based in Mount Vernon, not only had a booth that smelled great, but also offered up a lot of useful information for how to grow your own basil plant. Ms. Elder said to make sure the little guy got a lot of light, not too much water, and to be sure to clip the leaves right at the stem. Furthermore, she said that the basil plant would do just fine in an apartment :)

Herbs and spices are only a segment of what the vendors at the Clintonville market have to offer. In fact, many of the vendors are ones that set up shop at other markets around town. One cheese vendor, Blue Jack Cheese, can be found at 15 markets in a week! Also, the Columbus favorite, Luna Burgers, can be seen at the Worthington and Granville markets as well. It's encouraging to hear that so many vendors hit up multiple markets, only further enhancing their product's exposure. 

Another cool feature of the Clintonville market is their live music tent. Located just out front of the Global Gallery Cafe, the tent features local musicians. This particular Saturday, a folk group called Bohemian Highway entertained the market customers. 

Bohemian Highway were a great addition to the market.

Overall, the market has a great atmosphere. The vibe was very positive and it seemed as if everyone there was invested in supporting the vendors and eating locally. With reusable bags in hands, it was fun to watch the relationships between the customers and vendors. It was apparent that many customers were repeats to certain booth. To one vendor a customer said, "Hi! I'm back! Those raspberries from last week were so good I just had to come back and get more."



If you are ever in Clintonville or feel like making a special trip, the farmers' market is a great way to start a Saturday.

A view of the Clintonville Market lined up on High St.

Resilient in the Rain

Hey Market Fans!

Just wanted to post a quick blurb that many of you many not know about - that being the "rain or shine!" attitude of most farmers' markets.

While many flock to the nearest shelter when mini-hurricanes hit the Central Ohio area (and please by no means take that as a suggestion not too in some cases), our resilient farmers' markets remain in tack! Of course, they do this within reason, but nevertheless a little rain won't scare these farmers' and artisans from selling you their treasured crops and products.

So if you see that the forecast calls for rain, consider throwing on a slicker and hitting up your local market!

Cooking the Market: Upper Arlington and Columbus Pasta

Lemon Pepper Pasta. Allow me to type that again for you.

Lemon

Pepper

Pasta.

While some taste buds many tingle, others may scream, “Lemon? Lemon is sour and pasta is delicious - no thanks!”

This is not the case with Columbus Pasta’s Lemon Pepper Pasta. The subtle hit of lemon gives the pasta a great smell and an even greater taste. 

This fresh pasta cooks quickly, so for those who need a dinner that can be ready in 10 minutes or less, this pasta may be for you. It only took 4 minutes for this delectable noodles to cook all the way through.

All you need for a delicious pasta dinner!

 As suggested by Allen, the face of Columbus Pasta’s farmers’ market booths, grape tomatoes, green peppers, basil, and olive oil were added to these pre-seasoned noodles. Truthfully, the pasta could be eaten on its own with no adornment - but adding the veggies adds to the nutritional factor :)

In short, cook the pasta, chop the veggies, strain the noodles, add the veggies, basil, and oil, then EAT!

Check out my friend Jordan's cool vintage strainer 

The finished product!

The red wine was our own touch ;) Best pasta I've ever had! Thanks Columbus Pasta!

Not only is this dish quick and easy, but it is sure to please even the most fervent of lemon pasta skeptics.

If you try this recipe, please comment and let us know!

Small But Mighty: The Upper Arlington Farmers' Market

  

The adage says that size doesn't matter and never was that more true then at the Upper Arlington Farmers' Market. While the market as a whole may be smaller, the quality is big and worth the visit. Vendors like the Sugar Inc. Bakery and Tea Salon certainly stand out. Originally out of Dublin, OH, this bakery and tea salon will be opening up a location at Polaris Fashion Place after the farmers' market season is over. The owner, Ava Misseldine, is originally from Hawaii. She has been working in fair trade and organic teas for years before she decided to open up Sugar Inc. - which includes the teas, as well as baked goods. Sugar Inc. can be found at the Pearl Alley, Easton, and Westerville farmers' markets as well. Let the photo below encourage patrons to get to their booth early, as what you see is all they had left by 5:30pm.

Just next door to Sugar Inc. is Columbus Pasta. The booth, headed by a vibrant man named Allen, boasts flavored and seasoned pasta that cannot be undersold. "My buddy makes it," says Allen, "and he sells it to a lot of restaurants in Columbus. You name an Italian restaurant and they probably get their pasta from him." Lemon Pepper Fettucini and Mushroom Ravioli are two of the many sold by Columbus Pasta. As seen in the photo below, their motto of "Live, Laugh, Love...but never eat bad pasta" is expressed in their quality, fresh made pasta. Columbus Pasta also hits up the markets at Easton, the Pearl Market, and Granville. 

With innovative and vibrant vendors like Sugar Inc. and Columbus Pasta, the Upper Arlington Farmers' Market provides a friendly and intimate market experience.