Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Sue's Kitchen's October 29th Market Report

Sue Renner reports...

Come celebrate our last market of the season!

Its right before Halloween so you must come and get your last minute goodies for home and garden fall decor and most of all, yummy treats for trick or treaters, school teachers, friends and family.

Sue's Kitchen will be smelling pretty good as I prepare comfort foods to bring next Wednesday. For the first time this year I will have Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread (oh so yummy), Bags O' Treat Mix, and Buttercream Iced Pumpkin Sugar cookies. There will also be Chocolate Chip cookies, Peanut Butter Blossoms, Oatmeal Raisin cookies, Apple pies (big and little) and Cinnamon Rolls.

Hope to see you there!

Sue


Sue's Kitchen
614.588.6903

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Varley Valley Products October 29th Market Report

Jane reports....

I will not be bringing bread tomorrow but will be bringing 5 new jams: crabapple, spiced crabapple, sweet apple butter, cranberry apple butter and no sugar apple butter.

Jane


Varley Valley Products
614.523.0754

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Thank You!

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market vendors say Thank You, Westerville for a great season!

▪ Agape Garden
▪ Amherst Greenhouse
▪ Arjay Gourmet Foods
▪ Bildsten Landscape
▪ Bird’s Haven Farm
▪ Blue Jacket Dairy
▪ Bridgman Farm
▪ Buckeye Mustard
▪ Carousel Water Gardens &
Cathy’s Tasty Treats
▪ Cat Run Ranch
▪ Doran’s Family Farm
▪ Honey Health Farms
▪ Flower Power Gourmet
▪ Flying J Farm
▪ Frijolito Farm
▪ Landrum Cottage Designs
▪ Malabar Acres
▪ Mockingbird Meadows
▪ Northridge Organic Farm
▪ Osage Lane Creamery
▪ Pleiades Maple Products
▪ Snowville Creamery
▪ Sue's Kitchen
▪ Taste of Seattle Coffee Company
▪ Varley Valley Products
▪ Z Blue Berry

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: October 29th Market Report

This is Week 26 -- the last week of the Westerville Uptown Merchants Association's Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

To all market patrons, we say... Thank you!

Any farmers' market is energized by its community and in Westerville, we are indeed blessed.

The sights, flavors, and sounds of the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market fast became a weekly favorite for family outings -- kids loved the opportunities to taste so many new flavors and market visitors could meet and connect with the people who were making and growing the food they were buying.

Proudly... All Ohio. Home-grown. Home-made.

Market visitors of all ages came by foot, car, bike, stroller, motorcycle, wheelchairs, and even on motorized-scooters. And, the market was certainly a favorite destination for dog walkers.

Market shoppers would meet or run into friends, classmates, co-workers, and neighbors -- a Wednesday afternoon favorite destination, often filled with surprises.

This year's market started with sunrise features like hanging baskets, baby lettuces, and garden starter and bed plants. During the summer, the market colors and flavors were as bright and rich as the daytime sun reflected in fresh-picked foods like tomatoes, corn, & peaches and in the vibrant beautiful sunflowers that decorated the market each week. And, now our market features the colors and flavors of sunset with pumpkins, root vegetables like sweet potatoes & squash, apples, and stems of bittersweet.

The 2008 market hosted 26 different vendors throughout the season, featuring not only a selection of chemical-free, conventional, and organic produce, but fresh meats, poultry & eggs, artisan foods like chutneys, jams, breads, pies, pastries, coffee, mustard, maple products, rubs, honey, cheeses, milk, and the colors of the season in herbs, hanging baskets, cut flowers, and beautiful mums.

Special thanks go to Church of the Messiah and the City of Westerville for their cooperation and support in hosting our market location at E. Home and S. State streets.

This week, Sue's Kitchen is back after a vacation-break and Sue has apple pie and delicious cinnamon rolls, quick breads, and cookies. Sue's pies are a market favorite and one week this season, Sue sold 33 pies in 15 minutes! (Hint: if you want pie, come at 3 p.m. and head right to Sue's Kitchen!!) Jane Varley of Varley Valley is attending market today with a selection of jams and jellies -- so good.

Keep in mind... this Friday, October 31st, is the Westerville Uptown Merchants Association's Midnight Madness event. WUMA is starting a new Madness tradition: The Community Pumpkin Display. Enter a pumpkin in the display from the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market! (Drop off is Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and then 7 to 8:30 p.m.)

Arjay Gourmet Foods (Rohini's Chutneys) will not be at this week's market.

Check back with the blog -- we'll be letting you know what vendors you can reach during the winter months.

See you today at the market!!

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Take the October 22nd Market Photo Tour

Week 25! The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market October 22nd Photo Tour is now posted on flickr.

Click here to take the photo tour.

Pictured: Market view from Northridge Organic Farm.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Take the October 15th Market Tour

The October 15th Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market Tour is now posted on flickr.com.

Click here to take the tour!

Pictured: Mini pumpkins at Bird's Haven Farms

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Take the October 8th Photo Tour

The October 8th Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market Photo Tour is now posted on flickr.com.

Just click here to take the tour!

Pictured: Personal pumpkin pie from Sue's Kitchen.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: October 22nd Market Report

This is the next to last Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market for 2008.

We aren't slicing fresh tomatoes for the table or grilling corn from the market right now, but market produce vendors still have plenty of fall flavors for your table like butternut squash, sweet potatoes, onions, red skin potatoes, apples, sweet and hot peppers, green beans, garlic, and turnips.

(Fresh green beans, cooked with red skin potatoes, onion, and a touch of fresh garlic, and your favorite seasonings make a great side dish on a beautiful, cool fall evening.)

Check out the market selection of fall favorites like Indian corn, gourds, pumpkins, bittersweet, wheat, and of course, pumpkins!

This week will be the last week of the season for Arjay Gourmet Foods and Rohini's Chutneys -- now is the time to stop by, see Rohini, and stock up! Brace yourself -- no pie this week... Sue Renner of Sue's Kitchen will not be at this week's market, but will be at next week's market. So, plan for pie on October 29th!

Next week, on October 31st, the Westerville Uptown Merchants Association is presenting Midnight Madness from 7 p.m. to midnight. This year's event features a Community Pumpkin Display with Uptown Gift Cards for first, second, and third prizes. Pick a pumpkin at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market this week or next and enter! (Drop your pumpkin entry off on October 31st at the parking lot on W. Main, just west of N. State, between Morgan's Treasure (12 W. Main) and the Visitors Bureau (20 W. Main) from noon to 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Jane Varley's October 22nd Market Report

As the season winds down I am busy making jams using autumn fruit. Next week I will have Sweet Apple Butter (for those who like it a bit sweeter than my standard apple butter). I hope to also have Cranberry Apple Butter, Pear Butter, and Crabapple Jelly. But that is all for next week.

This week, I am introducing a new jam, Hot Plum Jam. No there isn’t a special variety called a “Hot Plum”. This is a sweet plum jam that has the fire of added hot peppers. It goes great with cheese or as a glaze for pork or poultry. You can also make a wonderful appetizer “Hot Plum Brie en Croute” – click on the recipe or see the recipe section for instructions on how to make this simple, but impressive hors d’oeuvre.

I am also announcing the return of a favorite, Blackberry Triple Sec Jelly. This is a full sugar blackberry jelly with the added nuance of orange supplied by Triple Sec liqueur.

I will be bringing the following jams and jellies: Black Raspberry Jelly, Black Raspberry Jam, Blackberry Jelly, Blackberry Triple Sec Jelly, Spiced Plum Jam, Hot Plum Jam, Spiced Tomato Jam, Apple Butter, Low Sugar Blueberry, Low Sugar Brandied Plum, Low Sugar Crabapple Jelly, Low Sugar Strawberry, Tomato Basil, Mango Chutney, and Hot Mango Chutney.

I will be bringing the following breads: Challah loaf, Lemon Swirl, Orange Swirl, Cinnamon Swirl, Whole Wheat, and Totally Wheat. I will also be bringing Cardamom Orange Swirl, a new creation. For those of you who are familiar with my Orange Swirl, I would love to hear your opinion about this new variation. Stop by and have a taste.

Jane

Varley Valley Products
614.523.0754

Uptown Westerville Farmers Market: Jane Varley's Hot Plum Brie Recipe

Jane Varley of Varley Valley Products shares this new recipe featuring her new hot plum jam -- pick up a jar at today's market.

Perfect comfort food for cooler fall weather....

HOT PLUM BRIE en CROUTE

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1/3 to ½ cup Varley Valley Hot Plum Jam
1/3 to ½ cup slice almonds, toasted
1 8 oz wheel of brie cheese

▪ Preheat oven to 350 degrees
▪ Lightly grease a baking pan or lipped cookie sheet
▪ Roll pastry slightly to form a round large enough to completely cover brie
▪ Spread jam in a circle the size of your brie wheel in the center of the pastry
▪ Sprinkle the jam circle with the almonds
▪ Place the brie wheel on top of the jam
▪ Wrap brie in the pastry sheet. Trim excess pastry. Seal the seams with water and press together with your fingers. The brie should be fully enclosed in the pastry.
▪ Place the wheel, seam side down on the baking sheet. The jam side will now be at the top.
Note: If you have a Teflon baking sheet, use it – it will keep the bottom of the brie from sticking to the baking sheet.
▪ Cut decorations from the pastry trimmings. Stick to the top of the brie wheel with water.
▪ Bake 30 to 40 minutes until the pastry is brown
▪ Serve warm with crackers.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: October 15th Market Report

As the market season winds down, each week's mix of market vendors is a surprise.

Sue's Kitchen will not be attending this week (15th) or next week's market (22nd) -- so you'll have to hang in there for a couple weeks until October 29th if you want pie!

Jane Varley will be at today's market, with her delicious jams and jellies. (No breads this week.)

And, today we will see Blue Jacket Dairy (delicious cheddar curds, fresh mozzarella, chevre, and the market fav, Gretna Grillin(TM) cheese. Bird's Haven Farms, Arjay Gourmet and Honey Health Farms will also be attending today's market.

Our produce vendors' selection truly varies this time of year, so we only know from week-to-week who we will see.

The 2008 market season ends on October 29th -- two days before the Westerville Uptown Merchants Association's Midnight Madness event from 7 p.m. to midnight on October 31st. Pick up a pumpkin at the October 29th market, decorate and/or carve it, and enter it in The Community Pumpkin display. (First prize is a $25 Uptown Gift Card redeemable at any of 16 Uptown businesses.)

See you at the market!

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Varley Valley Products October 8th Market Report

Jane Varley of Varley Valley Products shares her October 8th market report:

I will have the following breads tomorrow: Challah loaf, orange swirl, lemon swirl, totally wheat, and rye.

I will have the following jams tomorrow: apple butter (new this week), hot pepper (new this week), black raspberry jelly, black raspberry jam, spiced plum, strawberry rhubarb, spiced tomato, low sugar blueberry, low sugar brandied peach, low sugar brandied plum, low sugar strawberry, low sugar spiced plum, mango chutney, hot mango chutney, and low sugar tomato basil jam.

Jane Varley
614-523-0754

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: October 1st Photo Tour

Take the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market October 1st Photo Tour on Flickr.com.

Beautiful colors.

Fresh produce.

Delicious Artisan Foods.

Sure signs of fall -- pumpkins, bittersweet, corn stalks, mums, and Indian corn.

Pictured: Apples from Malabar Acres.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: October 8th Market Report

This week's Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market will bring us more fabulous flavors of fall.

We welcome our newest market vendor -- Osage Lane Creamery and their goat's milk feta cheese. While you are at the market, be sure to stop by and visit Blue Jacket Dairy as well -- they have the absolute market favorite Gretna Grillin'™ cheese along with chavre (goat's milk cheese), fresh mozzarella, and cheddar curds (so good!).

Sue Renner's pies at Sue's Kitchen are the best and they sell fast, so visit Sue early during your market visit. Sue's cinnamon rolls, quick breads, and cookies are a delicious treat. Check out Buckeye Mustard, Honey Health Farms, Varley Valley Products, and Pleiades Maple Products for delicious artisan foods as well.

Our fresh produce vendors: Bird's Haven Farms, Carousel Watergardens, Doran's Family Farm, Flying J Farm, Malabar Acres, Northridge Organic Farm continue to bring some of the best, if not the best, you'll find in Central Ohio. And, the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is the place for pumpkins, squash, bittersweet, mini pumpkins, Indian corn, and even corn stalks for fall decor. (Check out Birds' Haven Farms Indian corn wreaths.)

Grass-fed beef, free-range poultry and fresh eggs are available from Flying J Farm and Frijolito Farm.

Market produce vendors offer organic, chemical-free, and conventional options.

This week, we will not see Arjay Gourmet Foods, Flower Power Gourmet, and Amherst Greenhouse at the market.

Market bags are still available at Amish Originals Furniture Co., 8 N. State or from your favorite market vendor. Just a $3 donation to the W.A.R.M. Fresh Green Program.

To check out our market directory, click here!

Reminder: Shop Uptown Westerville!


Pictured: It's fun to talk with the person who grew your green beans! Shopping at Doran's Family Farm.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Welcome Osage Lane Creamery

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market welcomes our newest market vendor: Osage Lane Creamery from Pataskala.

Osage Lane Creamery features a raw goat's milk feta cheese that is Greek in consistency with a Bulgarian flavor.

Stop by and visit owner Emma Stout -- and check out a tasting sample of this delicious unique cheese.

Pictured: Osage Lane Creamery goats.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: October 1st Market Report and Welcome Amherst Greenhouse

It is hard to believe that today is October 1st! And, we mark the beginning of the last 5 weeks of the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market 2008 season.

With fall in the air, visit one of the market's newest vendors -- Amherst Greenhouse of Ada, Ohio. Last week was Amherst's first week at the market and their gorgeous, full potted mums (pictured) were popular with market customers at just $5 a pot.

The market today, also welcomes a new goat's milk feta cheese vendor.

Reusable market bags are available at Amish Originals Furniture Co., 8 N. State, or from your favorite market vendor for a $3 donation to the W.A.R.M. Fresh Green Program.

Arjay Gourmet Foods, Northridge Organic Farm, Taste of Seattle Coffee Co., Flower Power Gourmet, and Varley Valley Products will not be attending this week's market.

Market tip: If you want pie -- arrive as close to 3 p.m. as possible!!

See you at the market.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Market Photo Tour on Flickr

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market Photo Tour is updated now on Flickr.com.

Take in the vibrant colors, delicious foods, and market activity each week with a photo tour.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: September 24th Market Report

It is officially Fall 2008, and as the leaves begin to change, the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market colors and textures are changing as well.

The sunny vibrant colors of tomatoes and peppers brighten the market, and we are now starting to see the calm, muted sunshine hues of green beans, sweet potatoes, redskin potatoes, winter squash, apples, garlic, and pumpkins.

As always, the market is a fun, hands-on experience for kids -- the market is a great place for kids to taste new flavors and pick out mini-pumpkins for less than $1, maple-leaf maple sugar lollipops for 25-cents, and a fresh, crisp apple for just 50-cents. (The facial on kids last week as they picked out there fresh apple were priceless!)

And, for kids of all ages, the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is a great place to meet the person who grew or made the foods for tonight's dinner table.

Jane Varley of Varley Valley Products sent us a market report -- click here to read Jane's post.

Market vendors are our neighbors right here in Central Ohio and they feature produce (organic, chemical-free, and conventional), meats and poultry, eggs, chutneys, jams, jellies, maple syrup, sauces, fresh-baked goods, specialty foods like halvah, cheeses, flour, flowers, honey, mustard, and herbs, spices (including garam masala) & rubs.

Re-usable market bags are available for just a $3 donation to the W.A.R.M. Fresh Green Program (help people in need get healthy, fresh foods at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market). Check with your favorite market vendor or stop by Amish Originals Furniture Co. at 8 N. State.

See you at the market!!

Pictured: Pumpkins from Doran's Family Farm.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Varley Valley Products September 24th Market Report

It's market day in Uptown Westerville!

Jane Varley of Varley Valley Products (delicious breads and jams) shares:

My power is finally back on so I have been baking up a storm. I will have the following breads: challah loaf, orange swirl, lemon swirl, cinnamon swirl, cinnamon raisin swirl, parmesan herb white, whole wheat, totally wheat, and parmesan peppercorn wheat.

I will be bringing the following jams and jellies: Black Raspberry Jelly, black raspberry jam (half of the seeds removed), strawberry peach, strawberry rhubarb, and spiced tomato. I am bringing the following low sugar jams and jellies: Blueberry, brandied plum, strawberry, spiced plum, tomato basil, mango chutney, and hot mango chutney.

As some of you know, I live smack in the middle of a large woodlot. I was very lucky with the windstorm. Although I lost a huge red oak and two shagbark hickory trees, none of them were near the house or driveway. Like many people, I was without power for about 5 days. However, I am blessed with incredible neighbors. My next door neighbors, Steve and Renata Snyder were kind enough to offer me power from their generator (which they had borrowed from a friend from bible study). They could have chosen to use all of the power themselves so that they would have more conveniences (like a stove or microwave). Instead, they offered to power my refrigerator/freezer and my big freezer, along with one light and a TV (they used the remaining power to power the exact same things in their house). Because of this, I did not lose any food. I am lucky to live in a real (although small) community. Steve mows my lawn for me (a huge help because of my bad knee). His son cleans my gutters and blows leaves off of my roof. Other neighbors plow my 350 foot driveway for me. Several neighbors will look after my 4 dogs if I have to be away too long. Three of the men in the neighborhood help me with home fixit stuff and heavy things. Another neighbor uses their van to transport large things that I need to buy. And the list goes on and on – I am truly blessed.

Jane Varley
614-523-0754

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Westerville Ranked No. 5 on Money Magazine's Best Places for Affordable Homes

The editors of Money Magazine have named Westerville as one of CNN/Money Magazine's 2008 Top 25 Best Places for Affordable Homes in the nation.

As a matter of fact, Westerville is #5 on the list!

Money Magazine says...

There's no shortage of charm in Westerville, Ohio's largest suburb. Historic architecture has been preserved in Uptown Westerville, where 19th century homes mingle with bed and breakfasts, mom-and-pop stores, and a weekly farmer's market in the summer.

Prefer newer real estate? Two-bedroom condos sell for $160,000 to $399,000. Residents count on two large hospitals as well as plenty of small practices to keep them in good health.

Head to Hoover Reservoir for afternoon sailing or kayaking, or buzz on over to Alum Creek Lake for some water skiing. Landlubbers can admire the scenery at Alum Creek while picnicking, horseback riding, hiking, or just relaxing on the beach.

Home-made. Home-grown. Shop at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market, each Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. through October 29th at the corner of N. State and E. Home.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: September 17th Market Report

September at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market means the best bounties of summer remain and early autumn harvests begin to appear. Winter squash and small pumpkins are starting to appear and the tomatoes cannot be sweeter. Stop by the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market today and enjoy the fruits of the seasons.

Reusable market bags are here! Stop by Amish Originals Furniture Co., at 8 N. State St., on your way to the market today, or ask your favorite market vendor. Pick up the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market bags for just a $3 donation to the W.A.R.M. Fresh Green Program.

Pleiades Maple Syrup has added two new products a maple barbecue sauce and a maple vinaigrette. Stop by Plieades Maple Products today to check out Eddie Lou Meimer's delicious Ohio maple syrup, lollipops (kids love the 25-cent maple leaf maple candy lollipops), maple products, and the new gourmet sauces.

Bridgman Farm, Taste of Seattle Coffee Co., and Varley Valley will not be at this week's market.

A Feast for the Senses! The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market currently features these vendors:

▪ Agape Garden
▪ Arjay Gourmet Foods
▪ Bird’s Haven Farm
▪ Blue Jacket Dairy
▪ Bridgman Farm
▪ Buckeye Mustard
▪ Carousel Water Gardens & Cathy’s Tasty Treats
▪ Cat Run Ranch
▪ Doran’s Family Farm
▪ Honey Health Farms
▪ Flower Power Gourmet
▪ Flying J Farm
▪ Frijolito Farm
▪ Landrum Cottage Designs (we'll see Dana in October)
▪ Malabar Acres
▪ Northridge Organic Farm
▪ Pleiades Maple Products
▪ Snowville Creamery (they are week-to-week right now depending on supply)
▪ Sue's Kitchen
▪ Taste of Seattle Coffee Company
▪ Varley Valley Products

Market produce is organic, chemical-free, or conventional. Check your weekend shopping list, the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market can be your tailgating headquarters.

Want to know more about our market vendors? Great! Click here to visit the Market Directory.

See you today at the market!

If you can -- make an afternoon of it or stop by after school -- Shop Uptown Westerville and pick up dinner ingredients at today's market.

Kids love the market -- they can taste new flavors and find affordable, healthy foods to choose and purchase! (Kids always end up at Flower Power Gourmet -- they love the flower and herb infused baked goods!)


The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is a fluid community. Vendor appearance each week may vary.

Pictured: Market bags at Bridgman Farm. Pleiades Maple Syrup.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Welcome Honey Health Farms

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market welcomes Honey Health Farms of Marysville.

Honey Health Farms features natural raw honey and honey products including bee pollen, moisture cream, and lip balm.

Stop by and visit Dale Benedict on your next market visit!

Click here to check out Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market Vendor Directory.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: In the News

Check out Lin Rice's story about the Uptown Westerville Farmers Market in the September 4th edition of ThisWeek Community Newspaper, Westerville.

Click here to read story.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: September 10th Market Report

What a beautiful day to shop at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market!

Sue Renner of Sue's Kitchen shares: Today Sue's Kitchen has lots of peach pie, big and little. The apples are wonderful and sweet so there will also be Apple Walnut Streusel Bread- also my sample today. There will be Apple and Cherry pies, cookies and Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls. Check out the Peanut Blossom cookies with Candy Corn kisses-CUTE! Seeya there, Sue.

We will not see Varley Valley today.

As the seasons begin to change, so does the produce selection, which remains colorful and rich in flavors. We are starting to see some fall squash and there is still plenty of sweet corn.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market bags are available at your favorite market vendor or at Amish Originals Furniture Co. , 8 N. State, for a minimum $3 donation to the W.A.R.M. Fresh Green Program.

See you at the market!

Pictured: Pears from Carousel Water Gardens.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: September 3rd Market Report

This week, we have a gorgeous day, perfect for a trip to the market.

Snowville Creamery will have milk at this week's market.

Jane Varley of Varley Valley will be here with bread! Challah loaf, lemon swirl, orange swirl, cinnamon swirl, cinnamon raisin swirl. Jane will also be bringing her fabulous jams, including.... Tomato spice (lemony and spicy and oh so good), black raspberry jelly (my favorite but it is pricey because of the labor involved), and black raspberry jam (half of the seeds are removed).

Remember market bags are here! Just a minimum $3 contribution to the W.A.R.M Fresh Green program -- ask your favorite market vendor!

Pictured: Sweet peppers from Northridge Organic Farm.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Welcome Agape Garden

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market welcomes Agape Garden.

Agape is a unique, true community experience.

Agape's Chelsea Merriman tells it best:

Agape is a gardening partnership between Otterbein College student volunteers and the youth residents at the United Methodist Children's Home in Worthington.

The premise of the garden arose out of need to revamp a volunteer program. A pastor at UMCH spoke about the power of letting a child grow something and use that as a metaphor for their lives (we all start out as seedlings and need lots of care and attention to grow. Then when they are big enough, they can provide for other people either physically or emotionally).

Thus began a two year endeavor to create a garden of herbs and vegetables where the children at the home make all the decisions. The children chose what to grow, and they work every week on cultivating the garden.

The name of the garden, Agape, was chosen by the children and it means "selfless love; giving of self." This
name couldn't be more appropriate for the work the children and volunteers do.

The garden would not have been a success if not for the unending support from UMCH and Otterbein, and also for the Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter Foundation for believing in this program.

People can reach Chelsea at Chelsea.merriman@otterbein.edu.

Agape features organically grown fresh herbs and hand-made shea butter herbal soaps.

Stop by today! Shake the hand of the young gardener who grew your fresh herbs!