Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Carousel Watergarden Farm Market Report

Mark and Cathy Krist of Carousel Watergarden Farm share:

Just in time for your weekend grilling Carousel Watergardens will have turkey brats and 2 types of chicken brats tomato basil and sweet Italian this week.

A limited amount of whole turkeys are also available. Turkey drumsticks & turkey sausage are back too.

We also have our whole chicken, boneless skinless chicken breast, tomato basil sausage chicken patties, sweet Italian sausage patties, and ground chicken patties all great for grilling.

Be sure to try some of our Cathy’s Tasty Treats rubs & seasonings great on all types of meats. As always we will have our great colorful & tasty produce and farm fresh brown eggs.

Catch us at the Westerville Farmers Market Wednesdays from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m

Photo courtesy of Carousel Watergarden Farm.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Ohio Buys Fresh and Buys Local

A recent release from the USDA about farmers' markets ranks Ohio in the Top 10 for number of active farmers' markets.

The availability of quality home-grown and home-made is growing with a 16% change natonally in the number of farmers' markets just from 2009 to 2010. 

This level of growth also speaks to the demand for access to local farm fresh.

Read the USDA release.

Pictured: Shopping for peaches at Malabar Peach Orchard.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Chef John's Serving Suggestions - Pattypan Squash

Chef John of Two Caterers presents his ideas for Pattypan squash on the Two Caterers website.

Visit our resident Chef, John Skaggs as he prepares simple and delicious recipes using the best of the season from the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market. 

Not sure how to prepare something you see at the market? Ask Chef John.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Apples

Now at the market at Malabar Peach Orchard and Branstool Orchards: Apples!

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Week 17 Market Photo Tour

The Week 17 Uptown Westervile Farmers' Market Photo Tour is now online on flickr.

Click here to take the tour!

Pictured: Zucchini bread from Sue's Kitchen.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Nick and Josh's Excellent School Service Project

Nick McClary and Josh Winbigler presented Westerville Area Resource Ministry executive director Scott Marier with a check for $510.00 at yesterday's Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.  

The guys, both students at St. Paul school, raised the donation via raffle ticket sales during the month of August will go to the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market & WARM Fresh Green Program.

Westerville Area Reource Ministry and the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market have teamed up for the past three years, creating the WARM Fresh Green Program. WARM Fresh Green is a separately funded extension of WARM's food pantry so everyone, no matter the need, can purchase fresh foods from the farmers' market. Participants bring $5 vouchers to the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market to purchase food and fruit bearing plants. (While participation is optional, all of our eligible vendors participate.)

Yesterday, WARM's Scott Marier drew the winning raffle ticket. 

Congratulations to Gerry Domanik of Westerville!  Gerry won two Amish-made pine adirondack chairs provided by Amish Originals Furniture Co. Gerry and Joan Domanik own Suite 59 Hair Design, just up the street from the market, at 59 E. Home.

Thanks to Nick and Josh for their excellent school service project!!

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: August 25th Market Report

It's a beautiful Market Wednesday in Uptown Westerville!  A perfect day for a trip to the farmers' market.

We are expecting all active vendors today, so the market will be high energy today.

The produce selection is amazing and our artisan food vendors present a variety of delicious home-made tastes from Gretna Grillin' cheese (Blue Jacket Dairy) to Mexican Brownies (Batter & Bowl).

Northridge Organic Farm, Flying J Farm, Carousel Watergarden Farm, and Triple J Farms all provide a selection of meats and poultry. For eggs, visit Carousel Watergarden Farm. (Bring a cooler or frozen food bag with you!)

As you arrive at the market...

South Side:

Meet Chef John Skaggs of Two Caterers.  Today Chef John is featuring tomatoes!

Northridge Organic Farm.

Arjay Gourmet Foods featuring Rohini's Chutneys

Pleiades Maple Products

Sue's Kitchen featuring Pies and Cookies (if you want pie, be at the market in the first hour!)

Blue Jacket Dairy

Sweet Thing Gourmet featuring Jams and Biscottis

Chuck Evans' Montezuma Brand featuring Salsas, Hot Sauces, Tortilla Chips

Eyestone Flower Farm featuring beautiful organically grown cut flowers

Malabar Peach Orchard featuring peaches and apples

North side:

Bird's Haven Farms

Branstool Orchards featuring peaches and apples

Flying J Farm

Honey Health Farms

Carousel Watergarden Farm

Luna Burgers featuring veggie burgers

Batter & Bowl featuring cookies and confections, including protein and granola bars

Triple J Farms

Landrum Cottage featuring specialty breads

Doran's Family Farm

And a special appearance by Farmhouse Herbs and Flowers

Stop by Church of the Messiah's The Front Porch for a free lemonade or water and to take a load off in the shade for a bit.

Market tip: There may be lines for peaches (last week there were) so be prepared.

A trip to the market is a great adventure!

Reminder: Westerville City Schools are back in session.  Be Safe.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Adirondack Chair Raffle Drawing Today

Josh Winbigler and Nick McClary's St. Paul School summer service project is to raise money for the WARM (Westerville Area Resource Ministry) Fresh Green Program.

The guys are selling raffle tickets ($1 each or 6 for $5) for a set of 2 pine Amish-made adirondack chairs provided by Amish Originals Furniture Co. ($115 each retail value.)

So far, they've raised $300 for the WARM Fresh Green Program.  WARM Fresh Green (read more about the program in the right margin on this blog) is a voucher program so anyone in the Westerville City School district regardless of need can purchase fresh, healthy foods at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.  Fresh Green is a separately funded extension of the WARM food pantry fueled by donations.

Nick and Josh are drawing a winner today!  So, this is your last chance!

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Chef John of Two Caterers - A Passion for Good Food

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is pleased to announce the addition of Chef John Skaggs of Two Caterers as our resident chef.

You know you've said it or thought it, "That looks really good, but what do I do with it?"  Now we can help!

Each week Chef John features selections from the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market like patty pan squash (looks like a 1950s Sci Fi movie spaceship!) and eggplant.  These delicious foods with all that natural flavor are surprisingly simple to prepare.

Read more about Chef John Skaggs at the market at Westerville 365, click here.

Two Caterers, located just off Schrock Rd. at 6800 Schrock Hill Ct., features recipes and tips inspired by Chef John's market appearances on their website, just click here.

Got questions?  Ask Chef John.

This week, Chef John is featuring Tomatoes!

Try something new this week!  Enjoy some culinary adventures!

Pictured: Chef John at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Week 16 Photo Tour

The Week 16 Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market Photo Tour is now online on flickr.

Click here to take the tour.

Pictured: Heirloom Jimmy Nardello sweet peppers from Northridge Organic Farm.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Week 15 Photo Tour

The Week 15 Photo Tour of the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is now online on flickr.

Click here to take the tour!

Pictured: Tomatoes from Bird's Haven Farms.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Farm Fresh Eggs

Been watching the news lately?

At the Uptown Westerville Farmers’ Market, you can meet the farmers who raise the hens who lay your farm fresh, free-range eggs. Stop by Carousel Watergarden Farm and meet Mark and Cathy Krist.

Farm fresh. Affordable. Locally raised on a small farm near Marion, Ohio that’s owned by regular people.

Not in Westerville? Visit your local farmers' market for some farm fresh.

Home grown. Home made. All Ohio. The Uptown Westerville Farmers’ Market is Ohio Proud.

Pictured: Farm fresh eggs from Carousel Watergarden Farm.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Week 14 Photo Tour

The week 14 Photo Tour of the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is now online on flickr.

Click here to take the tour!

Pictured: Watermelon from Doran's Family Farm.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: August 18th Market Report

Oh, what a gorgeous day to shop at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

The market is open each Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at N. State and E. Home Streets in Uptown Westerville, May through October.

This week we anticipate seeing all active market vendors. 

While the weather had been hot and humid, it has been perfect for ripening vegetables and fruit - the market's produce selection is tremendous.

Our artisan food vendors bring cheese, jams, raw honey, maple syrup, chutney, spices, salsa, hot sauce, barbecue sauce, specialty breads, pies, cookies, veggie burgers and confections.

The market features farm fresh proteins that includes lamb, beef, pork, poultry, and eggs.

It's a great afternoon to browse, visit, and shop Uptown Westerville.  Be sure to stop by Meza at 48 N. State for Market Wednesday $1 wine tastings and great Ohio Proud pantry items to complement your market purchases.

Josh and Nick are here this week with their St. Paul School Summer Service Project: An Amish-made pine adirondack chair raffle (two chairs, each chair is $115 retail) that benefits WARM Fresh Green.  Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5.  The guys are selling tickets through August 25th.

Home grown. Home made. All Ohio.

See you at the market!

Pictured: Jam varieties from Sweet Thing Gourmet.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Award Winning

Congratulations to Northridge Organic Farm for taking 2nd Place in the coveted "Freak of Nature" category (along with several other awards, including first place for Green Peppers and Best of Show for Tomatoes) at the 2010 Hartford Fair in Croton.

Photo courtesy of Northridge Organic Farm.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: August 11th Market Report

It's another hot afternoon in Uptown Westerville today, and the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is open for business from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at N. State and E. Home.

We will not see Pleiades Maple Products, Triple J Farms, and Luna Burger this week.

Sue Renner from Sue's Kitchen tells us she's bringing: Green Tomato Bread (fresh from the Bird's Haven Farms); Banana Nut bread and Zucchini Walnut Bread (also from the Birds' Haven Farms), Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter & Oatmeal Walnut Cookies, Blueberry Crumb Bars (loaded with fresh blueberries)

Sue says, Mini Pies only this week (due to the heat): Fresh Peach, Lodi/Wealthy Apple, Michigan Blueberry.

Today we welcome Chef John Skaggs of Two Caterers as the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market resident Chef.  John is a welcome addition to the market and will be presenting cooking demos with market ingredients and offering recipes and tips.  So, when you run across some great looking produce or artisan food but have no idea what to do with it, ask Chef John! 

Chef John tells us, "I will be showing off some beautiful homegrown Patty Pan Squash and demonstrating some techniques for preparation, including some sweeeeet grilling methods."

Josh Winbigler and Nick McClary will be at the market today (and through August 25th) with their St. Paul School summer service project.  Josh and Nick are raffling off 2 pine Amish-crafted Adirondack Chairs from Amish Originals Furniture Co. (The chairs are $115 retail value each.).  Proceeds go to the WARM Fresh Green Program (read more about Fresh Green in the right hand margin).  Raffle tickets are $1 each or 6 tickets for $5.

In this heat, if you need to shop and dash, we certainly understand.  We hope you'll shop, taste, and visit.

While you're Uptown, stop by Meza at 48 N. State.  Each week Tatjana Brown features a Market Wednesday $1 wine tasting.  And, we encourage you to Shop and Dine Uptown Westerville.

Just a pet care reminder, these are summer's dog days, so this afternoon is a good time for dogs to be home where it's cool - the market pavement and sidewalks radiate too much heat for bare puppy paws.

Pictured: Summer shopping at Bridgman Farm.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Thinking Cool

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather. ~John Ruskin

It's hot, we know.  Just a chilly flashback to this past February!

See you at the market!

All photos: ©2010 Brickstreet Communications.  All rights reserved.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: July 28th Photo Tour

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market Week 13 Photo Tour is now online on flickr!

Click here to take the tour!

Pictured: Freshly dug potatoes from Bird's Haven Farms.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: We Open at 3:00 p.m.

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market hours are 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. each Wednesday May through October.

There are no early sales.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, we know, it's a 24 hour run-to-the-store-anytime world, so there are expectations. But this is a farmers' market, it's a different world where you can take a beat, slow the pace, and dial things back a bit. 

Our vendors start arriving around 2:00 p.m. for set up and every market vendor must be ready to open before the market opens.

The 3:00 p.m. open is a market management policy.

We don't mind if you mill about, it's part of the flavor of the market, but please understand that 3:00 p.m. is our firm open time.  If you ask a vendor to buy early, they'll just have to tell you, "Sorry, No."  So, just enjoying the atomosphere until 3:00 reduces stress!

We truly appreciate your patronage.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: August 4th Market Report

Okay, no way around it, we know it's a sauna-like summer's day here in Central Ohio and we might see some rain! If you can be in where it's cooler, you should be. We understand that you may not want to browse, linger, and taste, but we encourage you to come to the market and quick shop the market: turn the A/C on full blast in the car, park, and stay-on-point: pick up your market favorites, and head right back to that cool car! 

The produce is right out of the fields, off the vine, and fresh-picked ripe from the trees - rich, fresh, and flavorful and not to be missed.  And, your favorite artisan foods and farm fresh proteins are available.

Church of the Messiah hosts The Front Porch a cool place to sit and relax in the shade and the market have a free water or lemonade and just sit a spell. 

This week, we will not see Landrum Cottage (Dana is opening her new bistro in Granville today), Pleiades Maple Products, Sue's Kitchen, and Chuck Evans' Montezuma Brand Salsas and Chips.

A chance to win two Amish-crafted Ardirondak Chairs: Josh Winbigler and Nick McClary, two students from St. Paul School will be selling raffle tickets at our market for the chance to win two Amish-crafted, treated-pine adirondack chairs (retail value $115. each) from Amish Originals Furniture Co. as part of their Summer Service Project. All proceeds will be donated to WARM Fresh Green Program.  The guys will be selling raffle tickets through August 25th. Tickets cost $1 each or 6 tickets for $5.  Thanks for helping Josh and Nick experience community service first hand and for doing a nice thing!

Ask Honey Health Farms for a taste of their exclusive Cinnamon Honey! This honey is great in tea, hot or cold cereals,to marinate pork or poultry, to drizzle over fresh fruit or ice cream and as well is great to use in all the traditional ways honey is used.

Mike Laughlin of Northridge Organic Farm tells us he's bringing sun-ripened, fresh heirloom tomatoes to market today.

Each Market Wednesday, Meza, 48 N. State, features a Market Wednesday $1 wine tasting.  Tatjana is always happy to answer any food or pairing questions you may have.  This charming shop, with its winery shop atmosphere, is filled with enthusiasm and celebration for cuisine, fine, affordable wines, and good, simple meals.

And, of course, we encourage you any day of the week to Shop and Dine Uptown Westerville.

Stay cool!  See you at the market!

Pictured: Fresh watermelon from Doran's Family Farm.