Sat 1/14
We’re all probably starting to long for spring and summer, as cold winds howl off Lake Erie. Gardeners are dreaming over their seed catalogs, pen in hand as they make up their wish lists. And all of us could use a trip to a farmers market about now.
Luckily, there are a number of regular winter farmers markets that run throughout the winter — and they’re all open this coming Saturday. You won’t find the lush variety of produce — the multi-colored peppers, giant zucchinis, flavorful tomatoes, bright strawberries — that you find in the summer because the markets work with local farmers selling exclusively local products. But each year, more farmers in the area are practicing season extension to raise a greater variety of greens even in the winter. And there are plenty of storage crops and value-added products made locally.
First and foremost, there’s the Coit Road Farmers Market, the area’s oldest, which has its own dedicated building. It also has market manager Kevin Scheuring’s regular cooking demonstrations with free tasting that usually involve something stomach-warming and hearty at this time of year. It runs every Saturday from 8am-1pm year-round.
The North Union Farmers Markets were on the leading edge of the farmers market movement in Cleveland. While their multiple auxiliary markets won’t be back until late spring, their two biggest — at Shaker Square and Crocker Park, both held outdoors through the end of the year — have now moved inside through the end of March. You can find plenty of greens, along with long-keeping produce such as carrots, dried beans, onions, parsnips and apples. Both run every Saturday from 9am-noon.
The Countryside Farmers Market, held at Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Howe Meadow in the summer, has moved inside to the Old Trail School in Bath, where it holds markets once or twice a month until the season starts. This month, its markets are Sat 1/14 and Sat 1/28 @ 9am-noon. They offer meats, grains, frozen vegetables and fruit and handmade crafts items including that warm hat you need at this time of year!
If you’re out in Geauga County, the good news is that the Geauga Fresh Farmers Market’s winter market kicked off Sat 1/7 and runs every Saturday @ 9am-noon through Sat 3/18 at Lowe’s Greenhouse. There shoppers will find many of the same vendors they know from the outdoor summer market where they buy their provisions exclusively from the producers. They include apple products form Woolf Farms, pasta from Nina’s Kitche, Geauga Artisan Bacon, Gray Duck Coffee, products from Aurora Springs honey fresh and dried herbs from Sandee River Farm, skin care products and soaps and much more. There are also free hot soup samples, a big attraction at this time of year.
Cleveland, OH 44112
Cleveland, OH 44120
Crocker Park Shopping Center, Westlake, OH 44145
2315 Ira Road, Akron, OH 44333