Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: July 14th Market Photo Tour

The July 14th Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market Photo Tour is now online.

Click here to take the tour on flickr.

Pictured: Organic heirloom tomatoes from Northridge Organic Farm.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: July 14th Market Report

Well, it's Week 11 of the 2010 Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market, each Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. thru October at N. State and E. Home Streets.

It looks like a great day today to shop for some Farm Fresh - we'll see all active market vendors but one today!

About the weather... dress market cool and hydrate, we are looking at high 80s and partly cloudy skies with a light breeze in the afternoon.  While you're at the market, stop by Church of the Messiah's Front Porch to take a few minutes in the shade to visit and enjoy a little chilled H2O or lemonade!

Up until 1:44, we thought we'd see Malabar Peach Orchard this week, but Mike emailed us from his orchards and he wants the peaches to tree-ripen one more week, so they are ready to eat.  So, we'll see the season premiere of Malabar Peach Orchard with fresh-picked, chemical free peaches, next week. 

Farmhouse Herbs and Flowers will feature day-brightening fresh-cut sunflowers.

We will not see Chris and Andrea Schimpf of Eyestone Flower Farm this week.

The W. Main Street bridge over Alum Creek is now closed, so we suggest if you are coming from west to east into Uptown Westerville, take Cleveland Avenue north to County Line Road and then east on County Line and south on N. State into Uptown Westerville or take Schrock Road east to S. State and head north on State into Uptown Westerville.

Farm Fresh: The produce variety is becoming more and more plentiful and colorful each week.  Visit our produce vendors: Bird's Haven Farms, Bridgman Farm, Carousel Watergarden Farm, Doran's Family Farm, Flying J Farm, and Northridge Organic Farm and our orchard vendors: Branstool Orchards and Malabar Peach Orchard.

We saw 25 dozen ears of sweet corn from Doran's last week, don't know yet what we'll see this week.

We highly recommend stopping by Meza at 48 N. State - Meza is a friendly and welcoming wine and pantry shop  (lots of made in Ohio) just a few steps south of the Market. Each Wednesday, Tatjana and Jason Brown feature a Market Wednesday $1 Wine Tasting. 

Uptown Westerville features shops and restaurants that are both interesting and air conditioned!  So, cool off and shop, browse, visit, drink, or dine.  Shop Uptown Westerville.

See you at the market!

Photo: Batter and Bowl's Mexican Brownies - a touch of cinnamon and a dash of cayenne go great with chocolate!  Would you like a center piece or an end?

Uptown Westerville Farmers Market: July 7th Photo Tour

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market Week 10 Photo Tour is now online on flickr!

Click here to take the tour!

Pictured: Sunflowers from special appearance vendor, Farmhouse Herbs and Flowers a the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Travel Alert

Starting Monday, July 12th, the W. Main Street Bridge over Alum Creek will be closed for a $5.7 million bridge replacement project managed by the Franklin County Engineer.

The bridge will be closed through August 2011.

W. Main Street is accessible from either direction, but will not be a throughway.

Alternate routes include taking N. Cleveland Avenue north, turning east on County Line Rd., then south on N. State to access Uptown Westerville or Schrock Rd. east to State into Uptown, or accessing Otterbein Avenue or McCorkle to the east.

For more information:

Franklin County Engineer's Office

City of Westerville

See you at the market!

Image: Postcard of Westerville's W. Main Street (Alum Creek) bridge, early 1900's courtesy of Linda Foor.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: July 7th Market Report

It's week 10 of the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market 2010 Season!

We are expecting sunny skies and some major heat index action this week (close to 100) so come to the market, but stay cool!

Made in the shade - Church of the Messiah's Front Porch hospitality canopy is a great place to sit in the shade, chat and relax, and sip on some ice water or lemonade, so stop by and take a load off for a bit!

The City of Westerville offers some really excellent tips for hot weather, just click here.

This week, we will not see Sue's Kitchen, but Sue will be back with her delicious pies and cookies next week.  In the meantime, check out Sue's scrumptious blog, From Sue's Kitchen! We also won't see Pleiades Maple Products.

This week, Bridgman Farm returns to the market and Chris Shimpf of Eyestone Flower Farm makes his 2010 season premiere this week with fresh-cut lilies.

We have a special UWFM appearance this week from Jeff Guinn of Farmhouse Herbs and Flowers.  Jeff will feature some fresh-from-the-field pollenless Sunflowers.

Angel King from Blue Jacket Dairy reports that Julie will be selling cool, fresh mozzarella today: The long awaited Fresh Mozzarella will be at the market this afternoon. Fresh basil and tomatoes make a great companion!

Branstool Orchards will be at the market today with fresh-picked early peaches.  Last week they went fast and market patrons raved about the flavor.

We hear from Malabar Peach Orchard that they expect to be at the market next week (on July 14th) so mark your calendar for fresh Ohio peaches. 

While you're Uptown for the market, remember to Shop Uptown Westerville and stop by Meza, 48 N. State, for Tatjana's $1 Market Wednesday wine tastings. 

Photo: Shopping at Doran's Family Farm at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Week 9 Photo Tour

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market Week 9 Photo Tour is now online!

Take the Photo Tour on flickr, just click here.

Photo: Cabbage from Bird's Haven Farms at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Music and Arts

This weekend, July 10th (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and July 11th (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) stop by Heritage Park at W. Main and N. Cleveland for the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce's 37th annual Music and Arts Festival.

Live music, art for sale, youth art display at Everal Barn (always impressive and the barn has A/C!!), art activities for kids, and more.

To learn more, check out the Music and Arts Festival online.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Columbus Multiple Moms Farmers' Market Guide

Thanks to Columbus Multiple Moms (Columbus Mother of Twins Club) blog for their helpful rundown of Central Ohio farmers' markets.

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market and its vendors appreciate the nod!

Click here to read more.

Photo: It's Market Wednesday in Uptown Westerville.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Independence Day Weekend in Westerville

Best Independence Day Weekend Wishes from the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market!

Celebrating Independence Day is a full day in Westerville with events, block parties, and cookouts with friends and family.  We truly appreciate the efforts of the Rotary Club of Westerville and all its sponsors. This year, Westerville is celebrating the holiday on Saturday, July 3rd.

Here is Westerville's Independence Day Schedule:

Congratulations and thanks to Hanby Magnet School 4th Grader, Mitchell Whittaker for naming this year's parade theme: Freedom - the Best Gift of All.

The day starts with the 5k Rotary Walk/Run at Alum Creek Park, North. You can pre-register or register on-site from 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m., the walk/run starts at 8 a.m. and there are on-site activities for kids that start at 9:15. What a great way to start the weekend! There is an admission fee ($30; proceeds to the Rotary Club of Westerville) - for details check the website.

The Rotary Independence Day Parade starts at 1 p.m. at Heatherdown and S. State and moves North to St. Paul. We highly recommend watching the parade in Uptown Westerville!

Westerville Symphony is performing at the Sports Complex (County Line and Cleveland) at 9 p.m.

Finally, Fireworks!! 10 p.m. from Alum Creek Park, South off Schrock Rd.

Have a safe, happy holiday weekend.  Happy Birthday, America!!!

Photos: Sue's Kitchen celebrates the holiday at the 2009 Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: June 30th Market Report

What a beautiful day for a shopping trip to the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

Home-grown. Home-made. All Ohio. We encourage you to keep UWFM in mind as you make out your Independence Day Weekend shopping list.

This week we welcome Chuck Evans and his Montezuma Brand salsas, chips, and sauces and Branstool Orchard will be bring the season's first peaches to the market.

Sue Renner of Sue's Kitchen is going all star spangled and red, white, and blue today with cherry, apple, and blueberry pies among other confections!

Last year, a freeze wiped out almost all of the Ohio peaches, so we are really looking forward to good Ohio peaches!

We will not see Bridgman Farm this week -- Best Happy Birthday Wishes, Mary!!

Today, the market has guests, kids from LEGACY (Leaders Engaging Globally as Community Youth). These kids are working on a community garden and learning about gardens, agriculture, and from seed in soil to plate, where our food comes from.  Welcome.

We encourage you to Shop Uptown Westerville and stop by Meza, 48 N. State. Tatjana and Jason feature a Market Wednesday $1 wine tasting and Tatjana is happy to offer suggestions for food and wine pairings to complement your market purchases.

See you at the market!

Photo: Snap peas from Doran's Family Farm.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: A Season Premiere - Montezuma Salsas

Welcome Chuck Evans and Montezuma Brand Salsas and Chips.

Perfect for cookouts -- Montezuma Brand's selection includes salsas, chips, pepper sauces, marinades, BBQ sauces, tortilla chips, and meat spice rubs.

Chuck has been making salsa since 1986 and knows his hot sauce!!  Stop by and welcome Chuck to the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

Photo: Courtesy of Chuck Evans' Montezuma Brand.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Week 8 Photo Tour

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market Week 8 Photo Tour is now online.

Click here to take the tour on flickr.

Photo: Fresh beets from Bird's Haven Farms.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: June 23rd Market Report

The revised weather report for June 23rd calls for a chance of rain and a very warm (low 90's), partly cloudy afternoon in Uptown Westerville.

Dress in your summery cool and visit the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at N. State and E. Home Streets.

With each passing week and these warm, humid temperatures, the produce colors are deeper, the variety wider, and the tastes richer.  Stop by the market for summer squash, kohlrabi, cucumbers, broccoli, radishes, strawberries, onions, and more.

We will not see Bridgman Farm, Landrum Cottage, Luna Burger, and Pleiades Maple at this week's market.  Sweet cherries are done, so Branstool Orchards and Malabar Peach Orchard will be back with peaches in a few weeks.

Take a break while you're at the market and stop at The Front Porch.  Hosted by Church of the Messiah, The Front Porch is a place to sit for a bit in the shade, enjoy a cool beverage (free water or lemonade), and visit. 

Uptown on Market Wednesday?  Shop Uptown Westerville. 

There is plenty of Uptown Westerville casual comfort to wet your whistle or cool off on a hot summer afternoon -- stop by Dairy Queen (84 N. State), Graeter's (1 N. State), Serendipity (33 E. College), Java Central (20 S. State), Blue Turtle Tea & Spice Co. (2 S. State), Old Bag of Nails Pub (24 N. State), Pizza Primo (10 E. Main), Jimmy V's (including patio dining by the fountain at 1 S. State), Thai Grille (15 E. College), Pasquale's Pizza and Pasta House (14 N. State), or Heavenly Cup (25 N. State).

Just a few steps south of the market, Meza, 48 N. State, features a Market Wednesday $1 wine tasting and a wide selection of foods and wines to pair with your market purchases. Stop by.

Artisan foods. Fresh proteins. Flowers. Organic. Conventional.

Home-grown. Home-made. All Ohio.

See you at the market!


Pictured: Shopping at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.  Hanging out at The Front Porch.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Week 7 Photo Tour

The Week 7 Market Photo Tour is now on flickr!

Click here to take the tour.


Pictured: Honey Health Farms raw honey selection.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Week 6 Photo Tour

Week 6 already!  The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market June 9th Photo Tour is now on flickr.

Click here to take the tour!

Uptown Westerville Farmers Market: Serving Suggestions

Emeril Legasse has a new book out full of recipes and serving suggestions for your market purchases and garden harvest: Farm to Fork - Cooking Local. Cooking Fresh.

Click here to visit Emeril's website.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: June 16th Market Report

It's a beautiful Market Wednesday in Uptown Westerville and a great day to visit the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

This week, we will not see Mary Bridgman of Bridgman Farm.  Mary has tomato plants to get into the ground on the farm. 

Branstool Orchard will be back this week with their fresh-picked sweet cherries. What a great inaugural week last week - they sold out! 

Bird's Haven Farms will feature a selection of broccoli, eggplant, okra, summer squash, cucumbers, tomato plants, hanging baskets & herbs.

Arjay Gourmet, along with Rohini's delicious chutneys and garam masala, will feature Rohinin's fresh-baked mini Fresh Mango Cupcakes, Indian crackers, cardamom cookies, and almond macaroons. Rohini's lemon thyme bars are quite yummy, by the way.

Like Blue Jacket Dairy (pictured above), most of our market vendors feature tasting samples -- tasting is quite a yummy way to tour the market and get to know the vendors.  Stop by Blue Jacket Dairy to taste their Gretna Grillin' cheese -- tastes like a grilled cheese sandwich without the bread and great for 'kebobs on the grill!  We have to warn you up front, you taste... you'll buy!

By the way, for those of you who stop Uptown and are looking for an ATM machine, Emerald Bank, 17 N. State has an ATM behind the building (walk up W. Main) at the drive-thru and Union Savings is located at 44 S. State next to Hanby School.

Each week, we encourage you to make an afternoon of it and Shop Uptown Westerville!  Meza, 48 N. State, features a Market Wednesday $1 wine tasting and owners Tatjana and Jason Brown feature a selection of Made-in-Ohio pantry fare to perfectly accompany your market choices.

Enjoy the afternoon and we'll see you at the market!

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: June 9th Market Report

The air is crisp, clean, and cool and the skies are clearing, so it's a great day to visit the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market!

Season Premieres: Arjay Gourmet - Rohini will be here with her delicious chutneys and baked goods and Branstool Orchard will start the marke season featuring fresh-picked sweet cherries.

We will not see Plieades Maple Products and Bridgman Farm at this week's market.

Meza, 48 N. State, just steps south of the market features Market Wednesday $1 wine tastings.  Ask Tatjana Brown for serving suggestions for today's market fare!

See you at the market!

Pictured: Fresh-baked pie from Sue's Kitchen.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Welcome Branstool Orchard

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market welcomes new vendor, Branstool Orchards. 

Marshall Branstool is bringing fresh-picked sweet cherries to this week's market.

Branstool Orchards will also be bringing peaches and apples to the market this season.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Week 5 Photo Tour

The Week 5 Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market Photo Tour is now on flickr.

Click here and take the tour!

Photo: Honey bears from Honey Health Farms at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Arjay Gourmet's First 2010 Appearance

Rohini Mulchandani of Arjay Gourmet will be making her first appearance of the 2010 Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market season this Wednesday, June 9th.

Rohini's delicious chutneys and baked goods are a market favorite.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Strawberry Pie Recipe

That's right, these are the first strawberries of the season from Doran's Family Farm.

Michelle Doran of Doran's Family Farm's Eisenhower Strawberry Pie

6 cups strawberries, (washed w/stems removed)
1/2 cup sugar
6 teaspoons arrowroot (or 3 tablespoons corn starch)
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Pre-baked pie shell

Take 3 cups of the strawberries and mash them up. (I use a potato masher). Put them in a pot to boil.

Add sugar and arrowroot (or corn starch) to mixture when they start to boil.

Stir constantly until the mixture clears. Remove from heat and add lemon juice. Allow to cool and this is the glaze.

When cool, put in remaining 3 cups of berries and put in already cooked pie shell. Refrigerate and enjoy.

Serving Suggestion: Put whipped cream on top and some whole strawberries just before serving.

Pictured: Strawberries from Doran's Family Farm at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Restaurant Widow's Market Guide

Restaurant Widow features a really nice guide to local farmers' markets including a nice nod to the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

Click here to read more.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Become a Northridge Organic Facebook Fan

Northridge Organic Farm is now on facebook!

Become a fan!

Meet Mike and Laura Laughlin and find out what life is like on an organic farm.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: You Don't Have To Be a Grown-Up to Care and Take Action

Many a long-time Westerville resident has attended the "Old Vine Street School" at N. Vine and E. Home, and now Emerson is a Magnet School that focuses on world cultures.  The past 3 weeks The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market has hosted students from Emerson Magnet School as they sold specially labeled bottled water to support the PUR Children's Safe Drinking Water Project.

Emerson Students in Mrs. Taylor's class decorated special labels for water bottles, created visuals and special facts about the need for clean water for kids throughout the world, and gave a presentation to their market guests.

Proceeds from the Emerson effort will purchase PUR packets and the contents of these packets can take ordinary contaminated water and turn it into safe drinking water.  One PUR water packet cleans 10 litres of water (2.5 gallons).

With the PUR safe drinking water packet added to dirty water, after 5 minutes of stirring, and a 20 minute wait, bacterial contaminants are eliminated and any sediment in the water settles to the bottom of the container.  Pour the water into another container covered with a filter and you have clean, safe drinking water.

Mrs. Taylor shares,

Emerson World Cultures and Languages Magnet School is educating the public about our "Children's Safe Drinking Water" project. We are collecting donations to provide PUR packets from Proctor & Gamble to countries that lack safe drinking water. One dollar provides clean water for one child for 50 days. For a contribution, market patrons received a bottle of water as a thank you gift.

PUR packets are distributed through global relief organizations.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: June 2nd Market Report

That's right, the first broccoli of the season from Bridgman Farm.

And, with that we say, Welcome June!

The Week 4 Market Photo Tour is now up on flickr.  Stop by and enjoy!

The humid conditions and showers are really creating some amazing growth, so look for the first of market favorites and summer standards like broccoli, radishes, and lettuces.

Rumor has it we will see Church of the Messiah's Front Porch this afternoon!  The Front Porch is a welcome part of the market - a little shade, a cool drink, a place to take a load off for a bit!  Much thanks, to Lindsay Smith for all his efforts.

Looking at Accuweather thunderstorms set to move in around 7ish, but this afternoon will be humid, sunny, and in the 80s.

Home-grown. Home-made. All Ohio.

Market Wednesdays are from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the corner of N. State and E. Home through October.

We encourage you, while you're at the market, to Shop Uptown Westerville.

Meza, 48 N. State, always features Market Wednesday $1 wine tastings and features fine wines and gourmet pantry favorites, including lots of Ohio made foods.  Stop in to visit Tatjana Brown today!

See you at the market!

Pictured: Farm fresh broccoli from Bridgman Farm.