Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: May 2015

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: May 27th Market Report

Looking forward to a breezy, warm Market Wednesday afternoon in Uptown Westerville. Browse. Visit. Taste. Shop. We encourage you to add an afternoon outing for some fresh air shopping at the farmers' market to today's itinerary.

Home grown. Home made. All Ohio. The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market opens for business today from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. @ N. State and E. Home Streets.

This week's line-up: Sweet Thing Gourmet, Montezuma Salsas and Sauces, Sugar B Bakery, Kokoborrego Cheese Co./Sippel Family Farm, J-Pops, Bridgman Farm, Lona Belle's Home Baked Goods, Doran's Family Farm, Ohio Farm Direct, Flying J Farm, Bird's Haven Farms, Fox Hollow Farm, Pleiades Maple Products, Miss Cristy's Bakery, and Bildsten Landscape.

This week's community partner is Westerville Public Library. Erin Huffman from the library tells us, she'll be bringing some kid-perfect books for some live story time reading right at the farmers' market.

What to look for at the farmers' market today? Both Doran's Family Farm and Bird's Haven Farms will be bringing a few strawberries to market today. (We'll see more strawberries in the next couple of weeks.)

You'll also find organic sheep's milk and cow's milk cheese, lots of fresh-baked from daily bread to bagels to cookie favorites to pie, tortilla chips, salsa, hot sauces, jams, biscotti, maple syrup, gourmet ice pops, maple-coated puffed spelt, a selection of meats and poultry, lettuce, swiss chard, asparagus, rhubarb, radishes, onions, micorgreens, and fresh eggs.

For herb and veggie plants and gorgeous flower baskets, stop by Bildsten Landscape, Bridgman Farm, and Bird's Haven Farms.

Now a market Wednesday tradition, Meza Wine Shop at 48 N. State (just steps south of the market space) features a weekly Market Wednesday specially-priced cocktail and house sangria. Stop by and visit Tatjana Brown. She'll be happy to offer suggestions for wine pairings to go with your market purchases and favorite recipes.

Have a great day and... we'll see you at the market!

Friday, May 22, 2015

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Always Remember

Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices. – President Harry S. Truman

We kick off Memorial Day weekend on May 22nd first with the 1 p.m. opening of Field of Heroes presented by Westerville Sunshine Rotary. Field of Heroes is an interactive, live installation of 3,000 American flags @ N. Cleveland Avenue and W. County Line Road. Field of Heroes is open the entire weekend, day into night into day through Noon on May 25th.

Field of Heroes also hosts a special tribute to America's Veterans of Middle East Wars.

Also on May 22nd, what better way to live with gratitude than to gather together for the sake of pure enjoyment and celebration - it's Fourth Friday: Back to Nature. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Uptown Westerville.

Saturday, May 23rd is filled with activity, as Field of Heroes continues:

9:30 a.m. - Opening Ceremony
Noon - Reading of Names
7:00 p.m. - Free Concert by Central Ohio Brass Band
8:30 p.m. - Taps played; field illuminated until dawn
Midnight - Flag sales close for the night

Highlands Park Aquatic Center opens on Saturday, May 23rd at 11 a.m. For additional information on Highlands Park, click here.

Field of Heroes continues Sunday, May 24th by starting the day with a 5k Run/Walk:

8:00 a.m. - Field of Heroes 5K Run/Walk
For additional information on the Run/Walk, click here.
Noon - Reading of Names
6:00 p.m. - Flag Retirement Ceremony
7:30 p.m. - Memorial Ceremony
8:30 p.m. - Taps played; field illuminated until dawn
Midnight - Flag sales close for the night

As, Field of Heroes enters its final hours, Westerville marks Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th, with the annual parade beginning 9:45 a.m. at State and College in Uptown Westerville. The parade is a small procession traveling south on State Street to Bishop Drive and then from Knox Street to Otterbein Cemetery.

The day continues at Field of Heroes:
Noon - Reading of Names
12:30 p.m. - Closing Ceremony
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Flag Pickup

From the vendors and management team of the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market - Have a Safe, Happy Memorial Day Weekend. Welcome Summer!

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Uptown Westerville Farmers Market: May 20th Market Report

Sunshine, blue skies, a light breeze, singing birds - what a beautiful day for a trip to the farmers' market.

This week's line-up: Miss Cristy's Bakery, Sweet Thing Gourmet, Montezuma Sauces and Salsas, Sugar B Baker, Kokoborrego Cheese Co./Sippel Family Farm, J-Pops, Bridgman Farm, Lona Belle's Home Baked Goods, Doran's Family Farm, Ohio Farm Direct, Flying J Farm, Bird's Haven Farms, Fox Hollow Farm, and Pleiades Maple Products.

Market fare includes: lettuce, radishes, chard, onions, ramps, microgreens, rhubarb, asparagus, bread, cheese, cookies, pies, empanadas, confections, salsas, tortilla chips, jams, biscotti, gourmet ice pops, maple syrup and sugar, meats, hot sauces, eggs, vegetable and herb seedlings, lettuce, chard & spinach pots, and hanging flower baskets.

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

See you at the market!

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: May 13th Market Report

Welcome to week two of the 2015 season of the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

What a beautiful day for a farmers' market! Home grown. Home made. All Ohio. 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. @ N. State and E. Home Streets (through October 28th).

Weather forecasts are showing us a beauty of a Market Wednesday. Mostly sunny skies, a high of 62°, a breeze, and zero chance of precipitation. Sounds like a great day to pick up a little farm fresh!

This week, we welcome new market vendors Lisa and Ben Sippel, and Ben Baldwin of Kokoborrego Cheese Co. and Sippel Family Farm from Mt. Gilead. Kokoborrego features sheep's milk and cow's milk cheeses and certified organic produce.

Flying J Farm will not be at-market today. Dick Jensen is participating in an event near and dear to his heart, the Flipnow event for cancer prevention in the Brewery District. We will see Fying J Farm next week.

Today's Line-Up: Pleiades Maple Products, Miss Cristy's Bakery, Sweet Thing Gourmet, Montezuma Sauces and Salsas, Sugar B Bakery, Kokoborrego Cheese Co./Sippel Family Farm, Bildsten Landscape, Fox Hollow Farm, Bird's Haven Farms, Ohio Farm Direct, Doran's Family Farm, Lona Belle's Home Baked Goods, Bridgman Farm, J-Pops.

This week's community partner is Westerville Police Division.

Produce selection includes asparagus, lettuce, kale, swiss chard, ramps, and radishes. Bildsten Landscape, along with their beautiful hanging flower baskets, features spinach, lettuce, and kale pots.

If you're setting up your own garden at home, starter plants for veggies and herbs are available from Bildsten Landscape, Bird's Haven Farms, and Bridgman Farm.

Check out Meza, just steps south of the Market @ 48 N. State, for Tatjana's specially-priced Market Wednesday Cocktail. Ask Tatjana about wine pairings for your market fare!

See you at the market!

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: May 6th Market Report

Home-grown. Home-made. All Ohio. Welcome to Opening Day of Season 10 of the Uptown Westerville Farmers’ Market!

The market opens for business each Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at N. State and E. Home in the Church of the Messiah parking lot.

Weather-wise, according to accuweather, we start the market season out on a warm, sunny note with partly sunny skies, temperatures around 80, average humidity, a very light, almost gentle, breeze of 4 to 5 mph.

This week’s vendor line-up:

Fox Hollow Farm, Pleaides Maple Products, Miss Cristy’s Bakery, Sweet Thing Gourmet, Montezuma Sauces and Salsas, Sugar B Bakery, Bildsten Landscape, Bird’s Haven Farms, Flying J Farm, Ohio Farm Direct, Doran’s Family Farm, Lona Belle’s Home Baked Goods, Bridgman Farm, and J-Pops.

This week’s community partner is Westerville Senior Center.

Produce-wise, look for lettuces, greens, radishes, and ramps. You'll also find a selection of hanging baskets and flowers, as well as vegetable and herb seedlings and plants. Artisan vendors feature breads, sweet and savory baked goods, maple syrup, jams, biscotti, salsa, hot sauce, barbecue sauce, pie (that’s right, we said pie!), gourmet ice pops, cheeses, meats, and fresh eggs. It's become a market tradition! Meza @ 48 N. State features a specially-priced $5. Market Wednesday cocktail - stop in, visit Meza's Tatjana Brown and talk wine! Today's feature: a grapefruit and mint and Prosecco spritz.

This season, Meza adds a new feature – stop by Meza and Meet the Farmer with Bird’s Haven Farms between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. For details, visit Meza’s facebook page.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Now Forager

Bird's Haven Farms is bringing ramps (wild leeks or spring onions) to market this week.

Ramps grow wild in the woods and appear for a brief time in the spring.

To learn more about ramps, check this article from Eater.com.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: New Faces!

Market Wednesday welcomes new vendors, J-Pops and Miss Cristy's Bakery.

J-Pops features a variety of gourmet frozen ice pops (pictured) in some very cool flavors.

Miss Cristy's Bakery features a variety of delicious baked goods, including pie! (That's right, we said pie!)

We also welcome Lona Belle's Home Baked Goods to the full market season. We saw Lona Belle's the last couple months of last season.

So, while you're at the market today, mosey on over and give a howdy to Steven White of J-Pops, Cristy DuBois of Miss Cristy's Bakery, and Lyle Linerode of Lona Belle's Home Baked Goods.

Coming next week, one more new vendor Kokoborrego Cheese Co., but more about that later!

See you at the market.

Photograph courtesy of J-Pops.

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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).