One of the pleasures of summer is visiting the area’s multitude of farmers market, and shopping the bounty of fresh foods, bought directly from the local farmer or producer. Several dozen farmers markets are typically open in northeast Ohio by June, many of them also offering entertainment, cooking demos, knife sharpening, yoga, information on community organizations, health screenings and arts and crafts vendors.
This year, some are opting to take the season off, due to the difficulties of serving patrons during the pandemic. But many continue to operate, although most of the auxiliary activities are likely to be cut.
We’ve already noted that the Coit Road Farmers Market and the North Union Farmers Markets at Crocker Park and Shaker Square, which are year road, have maintained their schedules, with the latter two moving to their outdoor locations in April. Coit Road Market launches its Wednesday morning hours May 27. And North Union expects to be opening its auxiliary markets at Legacy Village, Pinecrest, Van Aken District, downtown Chagrin Falls and the Cleveland Clinic soon.
Countryside Farmers Market in Bath has been operating on a pre-order/curbside pickup basis, and has not yet decided when or if it will return to its outdoor summer location in Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Howe Meadow.
Then this week the Frostville Farmers Market in the Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River Reservation (Saturdays 9am-1pm) and the Tremont Farmers Market in Lincoln Park (Tuesday 4-7pm) are kicking off their seasons.
The Frostville Market on the grounds of the Frostville Museum of the Olmsted Historical Society was set to celebrate its 10th season. But it won’t be hosting the yoga classes, live music and dog costume contests it’s done in the past even while it continues to provide access to fresh local foods. It’s added an early morning slot from 9-9:30 for people with high risk factors; it’s asking shoppers to wear masks and pre-order from vendors if possible. It will also limit the number of shoppers at any time and use a one-way traffic flow.
The Tremont Farmers Market opened for business May 19, with a 3:30-4pm slot for those with high risk factors. They’ll be spacing out the vendors along West 14th Street instead of along the cozy interior path where they’ve traditional been, with one-way walking signs and similar offerings grouped together to expedite shopping. They’re foregoing special activities, live entertainment and non-food related booths for now. And some of the vendors will offer pre-ordering, which will be indicated each week on the Tremont Market’s site. They’d love it if everyone wore a mask!
The Kamm’s Corners Farmers Market will be back for its 14th season on Sunday June 15. The Lakewood Farmers Market is also opening in June but is looking at a possible new location, preordering and drive-through pick-up, with a focus on farm stands. It runs Tuesdays @ 10am-3pm. Lakewood’s LEAF Market opens Thursday June 11 at the front porch of the Lakewood Library from 5:30-7:30pm.
Shaker Square, Cleveland, OH 44120
Crocker Park Shopping Center, Westlake, OH 44145
Cleveland, OH 44112
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Peninsula, OH 44264
North Olmsted, OH 44070
North Olmsted, OH 44070
Cleveland, OH 44113
Cleveland, OH 44111
Lakewood, OH 44107
Lakewood, OH 44107