Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: October 2013

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: October 30th Market Report

It's October 30th and it's the last Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market of the 2013 season. We have a great day ahead with temperatures forecast in the low 60s, a light breeze, a mere 3% chance of rain, and clouds. Sounds like a great day to shop for a little farm fresh!

Home-grown. Home-made. All Ohio. Join us this Market Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at N. State and E. Home in Uptown Westerville.

This week's vendor line-up: Fox Hollow Farm, Bird's Haven Farms, Flying J Farm, Honey Health Farms, Hartzler Family Dairy, Malabar Peach and Apple Orchard, Sugar B Bakery, Chuck Evans' Montezuma Brand Salsas and Sauces, Sweet Thing Gourmet, Blue Jacket Dairy, Dan the Baker, Pleiades Maple Products, Branstool Orchards.

We are waiting to hear from Dana Lee's and Ohio Farm Direct.

It's a Market Wednesday Halloween Tradition - it's the one day of the season that super heroes, fairies, stormtroopers, dragons, monsters, and princesses visit the farmers' market - kids can warm up for Westerville's Beggar's Night (October 31st from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.) and pick up treats from our vendors!
(We'll pass out candy until we run out! And costumes aren't required - you just have to be a kid!)

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. - Melody Beattie

This has been a tremendous market season and we appreciate your patronage and support! From the vendors and management team of the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market, heartfelt thanks!

See you at the market!

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Malabar Peach Trees

Mike Dippold of Malabar Peach and Apple Orchard tells us:

I will be placing my order for peach trees for spring planting. A number of people over the years have asked me about when and how to order. If anyone whats a tree or two, I would be happy to order with mine. Two kinds that I have coming will be Contender and Coralstar. Each tree will be 4 to 6 foot tall and two years old. Cost is $37.50 per tree which includes shipping. You must pay at time of order. Ripening date for these kinds are mid-August.

Like I tell everyone a peach tree is a beautiful tree even when you dont get peaches. Get your sight ready now for next spring. Put in a little lime. Also watch to make sure the spot that you have selected does not sit in water in late winter. If planting two trees, space on twenty foot center. I have wood stakes that I drive in now while ground is soft. You can wire tie your tree to it for the first couple of years to keep it from getting broken off or blown over.

You can see Mike today at the market or contact Mike via email at malabaracres@hotmail.com.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: October 23rd Market Report

Not a photo provided by NASA! It's celery root from Northridge Organic Farm.

No way around it, this day is a crazy one when it comes to the weather. Snow this morning, and we are expecting things to warm up this afternoon to the high 40s. You may not want to linger today, but there will still be plenty of farm fresh at N. State and E. Home this afternoon for a quick shop.

Today's market vendor line-up: Fox Hollow Farm, Branstool Orchards, Northridge Organic Farm, Pleiades Maple Products, Dan the Baker, Sweet Thing Gourmet, Chuck Evans' Montezuma Brand Salsas and Sauces, Sugar B Bakery, Malabar Peach and Apple Orchard, and Bird's Haven Farms.

This week's community partner is Westerville Public Library.

Annabelle's Blooms is scheduled, but Anna fresh picks her flowers right before she leaves for market, so her appearance will be dependent on the effects of the weather.

We are waiting to hear from Dana Lee's and Honey Health Farms.

We know we will not see Ohio Farm Direct, Hartzler Family Dairy, Bridgman Farm, and Flying J Farm this week. We just heard from Blue Jacket Dairy - they are experiencing technical difficulties in the cheese making process and have no curds to bring to market - so we will not see Blue Jacket Dairy today.

Bird's Haven Farms:

Northridge Organic Farm:

Maple Sugar from Pleiades Maple.

Fresh-baked from Sugar B Bakery.

Biscotti from Sweet Thing Gourmet.

Prairie Wheat organic sourdough bread from Dan the Baker.

Golden Delicious from Branstool Orchards.

Montezuma Brand Salsas

See you at the market!

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Time and Change

This week Market Wednesday honors Northridge Organic Farm as Mike and Laura Laughlin retire from farmers' markets to enjoy more time with their family, especially their grandchildren

Farmers' markets are an organic entity, fueled by good people - it is inevitable that markets ebb and flow like the changing seasons.

Mike and Laura, we love you and we will miss you. Thank you for helping our little market get off the ground and for eight tremendous seasons.

From all of us at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market - May the winds be with you always and come visit anytime!

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: A Thousand Words

If you see Gary Gardiner (seen here on the right, speaking with market customer Gerry Domanik) today at the market wish him a Happy Birthday! You may not think you know Gary but you do - he's the guy who walks around the market with his cameras in tow.

Gary is actually a retired Associated Press hard news photographer who uses his passion for his art to not only chronicle life in Westerville, but to encourage enthusiasm for photography.

WBNS News' Kristyn Hartman recently presented a nice feature about Gary - check it out at this link (just click here). Happy Birthday, Gary!

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Spooktacular

It's time for the always spooktacular Midnight Madness evening sponsored by the Westerville Uptown Merchants Association.

This Friday, October 25th, 6 p.m. to Midnight in Uptown Westerville.

Details on the WUMA website... go ahead... click on the link below for more information... if... you...dare.......

For more about Midnight Madness, click here.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: October 16th Market Report


Apples from Branstool Orchards.

It's a classic fall day in Central Ohio and a great day to stop by the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market for some farm-fresh shopping. At our market, falling leaves are made of maple sugar!

Morning showers are ushering in cooler temperatures, but so far, this afternoon looks to be cool (60s) and cloudy and without precipitation (with a slight chance of showers between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. - still, might want to pack a 'brella).

Home-grown. Home-made. All Ohio. Wednesdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. @ N. State and E. Home through October 30th.

This week's vendor line-up: Flying J Farm, Honey Health Farms, Hartzler Family Dairy, Ohio Farm Direct, Annabelle's Blooms, Sugar B Bakery, Chuck Evans' Montezuma Brand Salsas and Sauces, Sweet Thing Gourmet, Blue Jacket Dairy, Dan the Baker, Pleiades Maple Products, Northridge Organic Farm, Branstool Orchards, Fox Hollow Farm, and Bird's Haven Farms.

We are waiting to hear from Dana Lee's Bakery and Malabar Peach & Apple Orchard. (Mike had possible Pirates post season plans (Sorry, Mike, but a good baseball season, still!) and isn't currently on this week's line-up card, but we may hear from him.)

Knowledge is power! A visit with this week's community partner, Westerville Electric Division, will brighten your day.

What can you find at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market?

▪ In-season produce selections that include sweet potatoes, late season tomatoes, hot and sweet peppers, squash varieties, potatoes, leeks, garlic, raw chestnuts, kale, apples, and pumpkins.

▪ Protein and dairy including pasture-raised and grass-fed beef, pork, lamb, and chicken, fresh eggs, cow's milk and goat's milk cheeses, milk, roll butter, and packaged ice cream.

▪ Artisan foods like fresh-baked breads, pastries, cookies, savory baked goods, biscotti, jam, raw honey, salsa, hot sauce, marinades, spreads, maple-coated puffed spelt, scones, tortilla chips, spice rubs, and maple syrups.

▪ Beautiful in-season cut flowers and bouquets.

Market artisan foods like jams, honey, maple syrup, sauces, confections, and salsas are perfect for gift baskets! (We've even had brides order market artisan foods for bridal party thank yous!)

Peppers from Flying J Farm.

Brioche Loaf from Angela Bowman's Sugar B Bakery.

Pumpkins from Bird's Haven Farms.

Maple sugar Maple Leaves from Pleiades Maple Products.

Fresh from the fields squash varieties from Bird's Haven Farms.

Pick some up for the holidays. Raw chestnuts from Northridge Organic Farm.

Fox Hollow Farms has fresh eggs from pasture raised hens.

Sweet potato varieties from Northridge Organic Farm.

Organic sourdough bread from Dan the Baker.

Taters! from Flying J Farm

Chuck Evans' Montezuma Brand Salsas and Sauces

on the extra hot side salsa selection.

(Salsa heats range from sizzling to flavor-rich mild.)

Fresh-baked biscotti from Sweet Thing Gourmet.

See you at the market!

What makes a farmers' market
such a special place, is that
you're actually creating
community around food.

- Chef Bryant Terry

Home-made. Home-grown. All Ohio.
The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market

Beginning in May, Pre-Order/Pre-Pay

Drive-Thru Pick-Up, Wednesdays

from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

in the parking lot behind

64 E. Walnut*

*Eventually, Market Wednesdsay

will open in a traditional

market format, Wednesdays,

3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

at 17 E. Home Street (the

southeast corner of N. State and

E. Home Streets

in Uptown Westerville

Date To Be Announced

Check It When You Arrive

The market is a safe place.

There are times and places for everything and the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is not a place for commercial outreach, causes, campaigns, or candidates. No unapproved solicitation of market patrons or vendors permitted.

We want our market patrons to feel they can enter and leave the market unencumbered, be undistracted from their children, and just completely enjoy their trip to the market.

Please note that the market takes place on private property. Sidewalks are public spaces, and with that, we expect common courtesy, common sense, and a knowledge-of and respect-for applicable laws.

Discretion is the better part of valor and in the end will win you more friends.

Thank you for being so understanding.

Traffic and Safety

Click here for Westerville construction information.

Put It Down: Westerville has a no texting activity while driving law.

September is Distracted Driving Prevention Month in Ohio.

Stop Distracted Driving: Maria's Message.

The traffic light at N. State and E. Home operates during market hours, including the crosswalk signs.

There are bike racks in Rotary Park on the southeast corner of N. State and E. Home.

Market Space Parking Lot:

The market space is a parking lot, but on Wednesdays from May through October, it becomes a marketplace - a center of commerce - and it not a place for public parking.

The lot closes off in early Wednesday morning (if you need a time, go with 6:00 a.m.) until 6:30 p.m.

The market space is available for drop-off and pick-up for parents and caregivers for kids going to Our Day, a daycare center located at Messiah. So, you will see cars in that lot in the mornings and at lunchtime.

Please help the market by staying out of that lot on Wednesdays, May through October. (There is parking directly east of that space.)

Truly appreciated!

When it comes to parking:

Parking is free and readily available on-street, in adjacent lots directly to the east and south of the market, and in public spaces and lots throughout Uptown Westerville.

The farmers' market space is open only to vendor vehicles from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. for market set-up, and then pedestrians from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. There is no patron parking directly north of the market lot - that's where the vendors pull in.

When you see an orange cone and a Do Not Enter or No Parking sign - don't go there!

Park in actual striped parking places - do not make your own space. Please do not block throughways or double-park behind vendor vehicles. Always prepared - we make sure there is access for emergency vehicles; should someone's life depend on it, we want to be ready. We guarantee you won't be stopping by for just a minute, so please do not double-park or park perpendicular to another vehicle.

There is no such thing as a sweet corn, honey, or peach emergency!

No kind action ever stops with itself. - Amelia Earhart

Take a beat. Be courteous. Be safe.

Everyone who touches the market, fuels its success, and we appreciate your help!

We wish we didn't have to mention this, but we do: Make sure your parked vehicles are locked; please secure any valuables out-of-sight.

When school is in session in Westerville, including Emerson School at N. Vine and E. Home in the Market Wednesday neighborhood, be aware of school zone speed limits, traffic light turn-right-on-red restrictions, and school bus, bike, and crosswalk activity.

Click here to visit Paving the Way for traffic alerts and updates throughout Central Ohio.

Click here to visit OhGo.

Be Safe.

Forms of Payment and Uptown ATMs

With the exception of Malabar Peach and Apple Orchard, Market Wednesday vendors accept major debit and credit cards, cash, and checks.

ATMs:

Middlefield Bank, 17 N. State, near W. Main, ATM at the drive-thru behind the bank

Union Savings Bank, 44 S. State, @ Winter St., across from City Hall

Westerville Public Library, 126 S. State St., Kemba ATM inside library entry way

Bope Sunoco, 150 S. State @ the corner of E. Walnut and S. State

Food Programs

Franklin County LifeCare Alliance Senior Farmers' Market coupons (fresh fruits, vegetables, and honey) are currently accepted at Bird's Haven Farms and Doran's Family Farm.

In 2018, select Market Wednesday vendors are participating in the Delaware County Senior Market Program (through SourcePoint). Participating Vendors: Hinton Apiaries and Bird's Haven Farms.

WIC Farmers' Market Program coupons are accepted (fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh-cut herbs) at Doran's Family Farm and Bird's Haven Farms.

The market does not currently accept EBT or SNAP cards.

The WARM Fresh Green Program has been retired. (WARM can now accommodate fresh produce on-site, including an on-site garden.) To read more, scroll to About the UWFM below for details.

Market Wednesday FAQ's

So, I can't make it to the market between 3 and 6 - anyway you can stay open until 7?

We appreciate the question.

First, our farm-based vendors drive as long as 2 hours to arrive in Westerville on Wednesday afternoons (and have sometimes been in the fields since as early as 2 a.m.), that also means up to 2 hours to head home. And, they all have working farms and must return to their farms and complete the work they have to do to end the day as they prepare for the next. It really is fresh-baked, and often, food artisans need to go home to prepare their foods for the next market on the next day.

Additionally, some vendors - to make best use of the trip to Greater Columbus - have deliveries to make before and after Market Wednesday.

The market sets up in a space graciously provided by Church of the Messiah and we need to work within their schedule - they vacate the space on our behalf on Wednesdays and have lots of activities Wednesday evenings - and in classic Uptown Westerville fashion, one event winds down and cars begin arriving for the next activity as we finish up our load-out at the end of the day.

We have considered and tested extended hours - market management has twice (2006 and 2009) publicized and tested longer hours and market hours correspond to actual market activity and interest - 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Can't get to the market until 5:30 or 6? Talk to your favorite vendor - most vendors are happy to save back fresh produce and artisan goods for 'on your way home from work' pick up.

Thank you for your interest in buying fresh and buying local. Central Ohio has the good fortune of an abundance of farmers' markets almost every day of the week, including weekends.

So, check out Ohio Proud's Farmers' Market Directory.

It's 2:54 p.m. and I want my peaches and sweet corn now! What's up with the no sales before 3 p.m???

The market is a place of business that opens at 3 p.m.

Our vendors know that market set up is from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Vendors arrive from all points of the compass for market and need to set up shop - parking their vehicles, putting up their tents, setting up tables, and preparing their samples and merchandise for sale. (Were that we were all Samantha Stevens of Bewitched and we could wiggle our noses and voila! a vendor space is ready for business.)

There is no such thing as a peach, sweet corn, or pie emergency.

Opening sales are not up to the vendor. As a policy, the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market management wants each vendor to start on a level playing field, which includes the opportunity for vendors to be able to safely access their market space (and not worry about pedestrian traffic). Market Wednesday doesn't open for business until each vendor is set up and ready to go. And, that's at 3 p.m. Not 2:59, 3 p.m.

Even though you may arrive before 3 p.m., feel free to walk about, bring something to read, talk with friends, or just sit and take a moment, but let the vendors continue their set up and prep - there really are no sales until 3 p.m.

In our world of 24/7 shopping, farmers' markets operate at a different pace - a slower one! So, manage your expectations - arrive after 3 p.m., or if you arrive ahead of time, take a moment for yourself - take a deep breath and enjoy the day.

When can I buy sweet corn?

All Market Wednesday produce is grown locally.

Life happens, nature happens, farming happens, so no good produce before its time. Availability of market produce moves with the seasons in Central Ohio.

Roughly, May into June we see asparagus, rhubarb, leaf lettuces, greens, swiss chard, kale, radishes, turnips, kohlrabi, green onions, strawberries, herbs, broccoli, garlic scapes, and garden plants.

(Short season - we may see strawberries, just two or three weeks, by the way.)

In June, peas, and snap peas, but just for a few weeks.

Then, in mid-July we see peaches, sweet corn, potatoes, summer squashes, and in late July and early August, we start seeing the rich colors of summer crops like beets, tomatoes, tomatilloes, eggplant, summer squashes, peas, garlic, beans, melons, cabbage, cucumbers, and peppers, moving onto late August, September, and October with root vegetables like sweet potatoes, along with apples, squashes, and pumpkins.

All product availability is subject to Ohio weather over time.

Eating locally-grown vegetables and fruits that are planted in Central Ohio soil to thrive and ripen in the warm, bright Ohio sun is a flavor-rich experience!

For an Ohio produce availability chart - click or tap here. (PDF)

Are prices negotiable?

In a word: No.

Just like the grocery store, prices are as marked.

A farmers' market as a rule is not a place to haggle over prices.

What about quality and standards?

The Ohio Department of Agriculture inspected the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market in 2010, 2012, and 2017. The market and its vendors passed all inspections.

In 2011, the market worked with Franklin County Public Health via an informal review, where vendors could ask questions and talk with the area FCPH inspector.

Produce, meat & poultry, egg, dairy, bakery, and cottage food vendors are held to a standard by federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations. To participate in the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market, vendors must agree to respect and meet those standards.

Meat & poultry, egg, and dairy are inspected by Franklin County Public Health. Produce, bakery, and cottage foods are inspected by the State of Ohio Department of Agriculture. The State of Ohio and Franklin County comply with all current federal laws and regulations.

Market Wednesday vendors will feature produce that can be conventionally-grown, chemical-free, certified organic, naturally-raised, or organic. Ask your vendor; they are happy to answer any questions you may have.

A farmer can only be certified organic to claim the term 'organic.' A certified organic farm must be certified by the USDA as organic, which means that the farm (including even beehives) goes through an inspection process by certified government officials to insure that an organic farm meets USDA standards (including organic farming methods and no impact on the environment such as contamination from pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and other non-organic compounds).

New artisan vendors cannot do business at Market Wednesday until the Ohio Department of Agriculture has reviewed their labels.

The first day of each market season, Franklin County Weights and Measures visits the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market to certify vendor scales.

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market must register annually with the State of Ohio, Department of Agriculture. The market voluntarily registers annually with the USDA. Additionally, this market must file for an annual conditional use permit with the City of Westerville, Planning and Development Division.

At this market, by our standards, produce must be fresh-picked, raised by the vendor selling it, and raised in Ohio. Plants and flowers must be raised in Ohio by the vendor as well. Animals raised to provide food must be raised by the vendor. Artisan foods and products must be made by the vendor.

Vendors selling frozen and refrigerated items must comply with state and county regulations. By Ohio law, meats and poultry must be processed by a state approved plant and sold frozen. Eggs and dairy products are sold refrigerated.

If we have questions, we ask, and you should, too. Get to know your favorite vendors. If you have questions about any product at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market, please don't hesitate to ask the vendor.

For more information:

Franklin County Public Health

State of Ohio, Department of Agriculture

USDA, AMS, Farmers Markets

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market Vendor Information

Westerville Heritage Depot

To celebrate our historic sense of community, the Westerville Legacy Depot facility pays homage to the old Westerville train depot and features restrooms, a water fountain (with dog waterer), open-air picnic dining, bike parking, a fireplace, an info kiosk, and bench seating. Located on the Bike/Hike trail near E. Park Street and Summit Street in Hanby Park, the depot also features hallmark panel images of Westerville's history and info for a walking tour of Westerville landmarks. The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market proudly contributed to this community project by purchasing a brick for the station. For more information, click on the depot image.

About the UWFM

Food is our common ground, our universal experience. - James Beard

Located in Central Ohio, just minutes from Columbus, the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is located in historic Uptown Westerville. The Uptown Westerville neighborhood is the home of city government, commerce, and community. Uptown Westerville features an eclectic mix of residences and buildings dating back to the 1800s, tree-lined brick streets, parks, Otterbein University, Westerville Public Library, activities, traditions, and culture. A marketplace destination, Uptown Westerville is a great place for people to live, work, shop, meet, eat, and play.

Home-grown. Home-made. All Ohio. The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market has been open for business at N. State and E. Home since 2006 with 5 market vendors.

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market management team is entirely volunteer and market vendor fees are all invested back into the market focusing on market logistics, community outreach, and market promotion.

The Uptown Westerville Farmers Market supports W.A.R.M. ~ the Westerville Area Resource Ministry.

For several years, WARM and Market Wednesday teamed up so farm fresh, healthy foods could be available to everyone in the Westerville City School District, no matter the need, creating the WARM Fresh Green Program.

Now, thanks to the generosity of the community, WARM has commercial-grade refrigeration, so plentiful supplies of fresh produce and foods are available to clients at WARM and the Fresh Green Program can be retired.

It's not always necessary to be strong, but to feel strong. - Jon Krakauer

No one makes reaching out to a help organization a life goal. And, Westerville Area Resource Ministry is an outreach and empowerment resource that steps up to the plate every day to help people in a respectful and dignified way to help themselves. As they say, "WARM is a hand up, not a hand out."

To learn more about WARM's programs and services, click here.

If you would like to contribute to WARM, thank you ~ make checks payable to WARM, 150 Heatherdown Drive, Westerville, Ohio, 43081 or visit the WARM website to donate via bank card. Contributions to WARM are tax deductible.

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market (Market Wednesday) is not affiliated with any other markets or events.

© 2008 - 2020 Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market. All rights reserved. Images used with permission.

About Our Logo

We chose a ginkgo leaf to represent the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market. The City of Westerville planted ginkgo trees along State Street in Uptown Westerville and as they grow and mature they will become a distinctive presence along State St. Ginkgo trees are among the oldest trees on the planet (millions of years) and have survived untold earthly disasters. The ginkgo represents simplicity, endurance, prosperity, hope, resilience, peace, and longevity, and not only does it represent Uptown Westerville, it represents the farmers' market. The ginkgo leaf color reflects the color of the ginkgo leaf in our 3 market seasons: spring (pale green), summer (rich green), and fall (golden yellow).