Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: June 2014

Friday, June 27, 2014

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Blendon Township Farmers' and Craft Market Looking for Vendors

A shout out to local farmers interested in attending a weekday Westerville area farmers' market this season - Blendon Township Market, in southeast greater Westerville @ 6350 S. Hempstead, is now open each Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Market manager, Ruth Brown, is looking for produce vendors. (The market currently has no produce vendors.)

The market features raised and artisan foods and hand-craft/retail vendors. Space fee for the season is $30. The season runs through October 16th.

For more information, contact Ruth Brown via email: ruth.drb@gmail.com or by phone: 614.859.2405.

Basic 411 and a link to the market application (pdf) is available by visiting the Blendon Township website - click or tap the here.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: The June 25th Market Meme

Bread is the king of the table, and all else is merely the court that surrounds the king. The countries are the soup, the meat, the vegetables, the salad, but bread is king. - Louis Bromfield.

This week's meme features a beautiful loaf of bread from Dan the Baker and a quote from Ohio's own, Louis Bromfield, author and founder of Malabar Farm.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: June 25th Market Report

It's Market Wednesday in Uptown Westerville!

This week's weather forecast includes afternoon sunny skies, temperatures in the high 70s, slightly elevated humidity, and a sustained breeze. Sounds like an awesome day to shop until we come upon the guest who never knows when to leave - the forecast for a 51%* chance of a thunderstorm between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. (We are also paying attention to NOAA's rain prediction since it's at 37%!)

Bittersweet news indeed: This will probably be the last week for strawberries. My, what a sweet season it's been! Michele Doran of Doran's Family Farm tells us they'll have strawberries today but not at the same level of the past two weeks.

This week's confirmed market line-up: Hartzler Family Dairy, Bridgman Farm, Bildsten Landscape, Blue Jacket Dairy, Sugar B Bakery, Chuck Evans' Montezuma Brand Sauces and Salsas, Sweet Thing Gourmet, Dan the Baker, Pleiades Maple Products, Swainway Urban Farm, Fox Hollow Farm, Bird's Haven Farms, Flying J Farm, Doran's Family Farm.

We have a firm hope-so from Dana Lee's and Ohio Farm Direct. (Ohio Farm Direct may not be able to even leave the farm due to high water!)

This week we have two community partners, Westerville Public Library and Westerville Police Division (making up for a schedule conflict earlier this month).

Home grown. Home made. All Ohio!

Have a great Market Wednesday! See you at the market!

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: June 18th Market Report

It's Market Wednesday in Uptown Westerville! While calendar summer hasn't arrived, nature tells us summer's already here! Weatherwise, the forecast calls for sunny skies, with a few clouds, a sustained breeze, medium-range to high humidity, and feels like temperatures in the 90s.

Home grown. Home made. All Ohio. The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is open for business @ N. State and E. Home Streets, from 3 p.m to 6 p.m., each Wednesday, through October 29th.

Today's confirmed market line-up: Sweet Thing Gourmet, Dan the Baker, Swainway Urban Farm, Bildsten Landscape, Fox Hollow Farm, Bird's Haven Farm, Flying J Farm, Doran's Family Farm, Hartzler Family Dairy, Bridgman Farm, Ohio Farm Direct, Dana Lee's, Sugar B Bakery, Chuck Evans' Montezuma Brand Salsas and Sauces.

We expect to see and are awaiting confirmation from Blue Jacket Dairy.

They've got the power! Westerville Electric Division is today's community partner.

Pleiades Maple Products will be out this week, Eddlie Lou Meimer is attending a farming conference.

Meza @ 48 N. State, just south of the market space, features a specially-priced drink during market hours. Today, Meza is serving two special cocktails - red sangria and peach bellinis.

See you at the market!

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: A Garden Riddle

What did the carrot say to the wheat?

Lettuce rest, I'm feeling beet. - Shel Silverstein

Carrots from Swainway Urban Farm.

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Happy Father's Day!

My father gave me the greatest gift

anyone could give another person;

he believed in me. - Jim Valvano

Happy Father's Day!

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: June 11th Market Report

It's Market Wednesday in Uptown Westerville! Home grown. Home made. All Ohio. 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. @ N. State and E. Home Streets (through October 29th)!

Today's Weather Update: The market "mantra" is Life Happens. Farming Happens. Nature Happens. And, to borrow from baseball's Master of Words & Phrases, Yogi Berra, today's weather is a touch of deja vu all over again. Temperatures in the 70s (remember these days in August!), a breeze, clouds, and... D'oh... a 52% chance of a thunderstorm between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. (so over that!!).

Long-term forecasts do indicate a positive change in the weather pattern for Wednesday afternoons – yes, please!!!! We very much appreciate your sense of humor, patience, and continued weekly visits to Market Wednesday in spite of the weather!!

This week's confirmed Vendor line-up:

Sweet Thing Gourmet, Dan the Baker, Pleiades Maple Products, Swainway Urban Farm, Bildsten Landscape, Fox Hollow Farm, Bird's Haven Farms, Flying J Farm, Doran's Family Farm, Hartzler Family Dairy, Bridgman Farm, Ohio Farm Direct, Dana Lee's, Sugar B Bakery, Chuck Evans' Montezuma Brand Sauces and Salsas.

We expect to see, but don't have a confirmation yet from Blue Jacket Dairy.

This week's community partner is Westerville Police Division. (We will see WPD Crime Prevention Specalists Pierre La Rose and Preston Tarte around 3:30 or so this afternoon.)

Each Wednesday, Meza @ 48 N. State (just steps south from the market space), features a specially-priced Market Wednesday cocktail. Today's feature is: a Blackberry, Mint and Moscato Refresher! $5. served during the market hours. We appreciate Meza's continued support each week and encourage you to visit Meza, a great resource for wine pairing ideas that complement your market fare choices!

See you at the market!!

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: The Nature of Fresh Ingredients

The goal of life is to make your heartbeat

match the beat of the universe to match

your nature with nature. - Joseph Campbell

Strawberries from Doran's Family Farm.

You don't have to cook fancy or complicated

masterpieces - just good food

from fresh ingredients. - Julia Child

Potted basil from Bildsten Landscape.

Friday, June 6, 2014

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Green Acres

Get a taste of urban agriculture this Sunday, June 8th, Joseph Swain of Swainway Urban Farm is hosting an Open House from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Clintonville @ 285 Canyon Dr., Columbus 43214.

To learn more about Market Wednesday vendor Swainway Urban Farm, click or touch here.

Click or touch here for Google Maps.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: June 4th Market Report

This is the first Market Wednesday in June!

Home grown. Home made. All Ohio. 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. @ N. State and E. Home Streets in Uptown Westerville.

When it comes to the weather, we're all just along for the ride! So, here we go, five weeks in a row with a 51% chance of a thunderstorm between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.

(We are not going to mess with a winning streak by mentioning that we have dodged all storms so far this season. You never heard that from us!)

Rain we dance in - storms are another story. Here's the low down - there is a storm moving our way that should arrive around lunchtime, but that will help us during market hours. According to weather forecasts - that lunchtime storm will dissipate the building energy and, along with the cloud cover, discourage formation of storms during market hours. Southern Franklin County and southern Ohio are expected to see any storm activity. So, we'll be here - even if we see you long enough to shop and dash. Thank you for weathering the weather right along with us!

Otherwise - high 70s, a nice breeze, and low humidity are in the forecast for market hours this afternoon.

This week's Market Wednesday confirmed line-up: Doran's Family Farm, Hartzler Family Dairy, Bridgman Farm, Ohio Farm Direct, Sugar B Bakery, Chuck Evans' Montezuma Brand Sauces and Salsas, Sweet Thing Gourmet, Dan the Baker, Pleiades Maple Products, Swainway Urban Farm, Bildsten Landscape, Fox Hollow Farm, Bird's Haven Farms, Flying J Farm.

We expect to see, but are waiting on confirmation from Dana Lee's.

And, Blue Jacket Dairy will be letting us know around noon if they are attending today's market.

This week's community partner is Westerville Senior Center.

See you at the market!

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: First of the Season

The color. The aroma. The flavor. That first taste of the season.

Doran's Family Farm is bringing strawberries to market this week.

Monday, June 2, 2014

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Piece of Cake

Blog contributor, Laura Nethers, shares a cake recipe with a sweet, crisp, cool twist:

Watermelon Cake Recipe

I recently discovered this recipe on Facebook and decided to make it for our Memorial Day cookout.

The cake was a huge success with my family and friends, and is a very delicious and healthy option perfect for picnics, cookouts, family gatherings or any hot summer day.

Despite how it looks, it's very easy to assemble and takes very little time. I made it in less than a half hour, including prep time, and keeping in mind this was the first time I made it.

Ingredients:

Medium size seedless watermelon (try to find one that is shaped well for the size cake you want, and is free of dents)
1 container of whipped cream
Assortment of fresh berries and/or your choice of fruit (I used sliced strawberries,
blueberries, and raspberries)
Sliced almonds (or any nut of your choosing)

Directions:

Rinse and dry your choice of berries or fruit toppings. Set aside.

Cut the small ends of the watermelon off so that it's level.

Cut the rind off around the sides of the watermelon.

Make sure the size fits in your cake container and trim off any excess.

Dry the outside of the watermelon with paper towels so the whip cream will stick.

Slather on a layer of whip cream thick enough to completely cover the watermelon.

Arrange berries on the top of the watermelon, as well as around the bottom edge if you like.

Sprinkle the sides with sliced almonds.

Tips:

The assembled cake is easily cut with a sharp chopping knife, perhaps the same knife you used to cut the rind off of the watermelon.

Refrigerate the watermelon beforehand for a chilled cake.

Lasts in the fridge, potentially for up to a week, but it's best when eaten fresh.

Thanks, Laura!

While, it's early yet, in Central Ohio, for watermelon, locally grown is the sweetest - look for watermelon this summer on Market Wednesday!

For more information:

Cancer Truth timeline photos on facebook.

Photos courtesy of Laura Nethers and Cancer Truth.

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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).