Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Farm Fresh Eggs

Been watching the news lately?

At the Uptown Westerville Farmers’ Market, you can meet the farmers who raise the hens who lay your farm fresh, free-range eggs. Stop by Carousel Watergarden Farm and meet Mark and Cathy Krist.

Farm fresh. Affordable. Locally raised on a small farm near Marion, Ohio that’s owned by regular people.

Not in Westerville? Visit your local farmers' market for some farm fresh.

Home grown. Home made. All Ohio. The Uptown Westerville Farmers’ Market is Ohio Proud.

Pictured: Farm fresh eggs from Carousel Watergarden Farm.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Week 14 Photo Tour

The week 14 Photo Tour of the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is now online on flickr.

Click here to take the tour!

Pictured: Watermelon from Doran's Family Farm.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: August 18th Market Report

Oh, what a gorgeous day to shop at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

The market is open each Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at N. State and E. Home Streets in Uptown Westerville, May through October.

This week we anticipate seeing all active market vendors. 

While the weather had been hot and humid, it has been perfect for ripening vegetables and fruit - the market's produce selection is tremendous.

Our artisan food vendors bring cheese, jams, raw honey, maple syrup, chutney, spices, salsa, hot sauce, barbecue sauce, specialty breads, pies, cookies, veggie burgers and confections.

The market features farm fresh proteins that includes lamb, beef, pork, poultry, and eggs.

It's a great afternoon to browse, visit, and shop Uptown Westerville.  Be sure to stop by Meza at 48 N. State for Market Wednesday $1 wine tastings and great Ohio Proud pantry items to complement your market purchases.

Josh and Nick are here this week with their St. Paul School Summer Service Project: An Amish-made pine adirondack chair raffle (two chairs, each chair is $115 retail) that benefits WARM Fresh Green.  Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5.  The guys are selling tickets through August 25th.

Home grown. Home made. All Ohio.

See you at the market!

Pictured: Jam varieties from Sweet Thing Gourmet.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Award Winning

Congratulations to Northridge Organic Farm for taking 2nd Place in the coveted "Freak of Nature" category (along with several other awards, including first place for Green Peppers and Best of Show for Tomatoes) at the 2010 Hartford Fair in Croton.

Photo courtesy of Northridge Organic Farm.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: August 11th Market Report

It's another hot afternoon in Uptown Westerville today, and the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is open for business from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at N. State and E. Home.

We will not see Pleiades Maple Products, Triple J Farms, and Luna Burger this week.

Sue Renner from Sue's Kitchen tells us she's bringing: Green Tomato Bread (fresh from the Bird's Haven Farms); Banana Nut bread and Zucchini Walnut Bread (also from the Birds' Haven Farms), Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter & Oatmeal Walnut Cookies, Blueberry Crumb Bars (loaded with fresh blueberries)

Sue says, Mini Pies only this week (due to the heat): Fresh Peach, Lodi/Wealthy Apple, Michigan Blueberry.

Today we welcome Chef John Skaggs of Two Caterers as the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market resident Chef.  John is a welcome addition to the market and will be presenting cooking demos with market ingredients and offering recipes and tips.  So, when you run across some great looking produce or artisan food but have no idea what to do with it, ask Chef John! 

Chef John tells us, "I will be showing off some beautiful homegrown Patty Pan Squash and demonstrating some techniques for preparation, including some sweeeeet grilling methods."

Josh Winbigler and Nick McClary will be at the market today (and through August 25th) with their St. Paul School summer service project.  Josh and Nick are raffling off 2 pine Amish-crafted Adirondack Chairs from Amish Originals Furniture Co. (The chairs are $115 retail value each.).  Proceeds go to the WARM Fresh Green Program (read more about Fresh Green in the right hand margin).  Raffle tickets are $1 each or 6 tickets for $5.

In this heat, if you need to shop and dash, we certainly understand.  We hope you'll shop, taste, and visit.

While you're Uptown, stop by Meza at 48 N. State.  Each week Tatjana Brown features a Market Wednesday $1 wine tasting.  And, we encourage you to Shop and Dine Uptown Westerville.

Just a pet care reminder, these are summer's dog days, so this afternoon is a good time for dogs to be home where it's cool - the market pavement and sidewalks radiate too much heat for bare puppy paws.

Pictured: Summer shopping at Bridgman Farm.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Thinking Cool

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather. ~John Ruskin

It's hot, we know.  Just a chilly flashback to this past February!

See you at the market!

All photos: ©2010 Brickstreet Communications.  All rights reserved.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: July 28th Photo Tour

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market Week 13 Photo Tour is now online on flickr!

Click here to take the tour!

Pictured: Freshly dug potatoes from Bird's Haven Farms.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: We Open at 3:00 p.m.

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market hours are 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. each Wednesday May through October.

There are no early sales.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, we know, it's a 24 hour run-to-the-store-anytime world, so there are expectations. But this is a farmers' market, it's a different world where you can take a beat, slow the pace, and dial things back a bit. 

Our vendors start arriving around 2:00 p.m. for set up and every market vendor must be ready to open before the market opens.

The 3:00 p.m. open is a market management policy.

We don't mind if you mill about, it's part of the flavor of the market, but please understand that 3:00 p.m. is our firm open time.  If you ask a vendor to buy early, they'll just have to tell you, "Sorry, No."  So, just enjoying the atomosphere until 3:00 reduces stress!

We truly appreciate your patronage.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: August 4th Market Report

Okay, no way around it, we know it's a sauna-like summer's day here in Central Ohio and we might see some rain! If you can be in where it's cooler, you should be. We understand that you may not want to browse, linger, and taste, but we encourage you to come to the market and quick shop the market: turn the A/C on full blast in the car, park, and stay-on-point: pick up your market favorites, and head right back to that cool car! 

The produce is right out of the fields, off the vine, and fresh-picked ripe from the trees - rich, fresh, and flavorful and not to be missed.  And, your favorite artisan foods and farm fresh proteins are available.

Church of the Messiah hosts The Front Porch a cool place to sit and relax in the shade and the market have a free water or lemonade and just sit a spell. 

This week, we will not see Landrum Cottage (Dana is opening her new bistro in Granville today), Pleiades Maple Products, Sue's Kitchen, and Chuck Evans' Montezuma Brand Salsas and Chips.

A chance to win two Amish-crafted Ardirondak Chairs: Josh Winbigler and Nick McClary, two students from St. Paul School will be selling raffle tickets at our market for the chance to win two Amish-crafted, treated-pine adirondack chairs (retail value $115. each) from Amish Originals Furniture Co. as part of their Summer Service Project. All proceeds will be donated to WARM Fresh Green Program.  The guys will be selling raffle tickets through August 25th. Tickets cost $1 each or 6 tickets for $5.  Thanks for helping Josh and Nick experience community service first hand and for doing a nice thing!

Ask Honey Health Farms for a taste of their exclusive Cinnamon Honey! This honey is great in tea, hot or cold cereals,to marinate pork or poultry, to drizzle over fresh fruit or ice cream and as well is great to use in all the traditional ways honey is used.

Mike Laughlin of Northridge Organic Farm tells us he's bringing sun-ripened, fresh heirloom tomatoes to market today.

Each Market Wednesday, Meza, 48 N. State, features a Market Wednesday $1 wine tasting.  Tatjana is always happy to answer any food or pairing questions you may have.  This charming shop, with its winery shop atmosphere, is filled with enthusiasm and celebration for cuisine, fine, affordable wines, and good, simple meals.

And, of course, we encourage you any day of the week to Shop and Dine Uptown Westerville.

Stay cool!  See you at the market!

Pictured: Fresh watermelon from Doran's Family Farm.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: July 28th Market Report

It's another spicy hot Ohio Wednesday, but humidity is staying lower and every once in a while, we have a sweet summer breeze.  Wear your summer cool and come on up to the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at N. State & E. Home.

There's plenty of parking (on street, in the lot behind Rotary Park, and in the lots to the east of the market) and it's a great afternoon to shop the Uptown Westerville air conditioned shops, or stop into an Uptown restaurant for a tall cool drink or nosh, as well as visit the market.

Thanks each week to Sonny and Rose D'Andrea and staff at the DQ, 84 S. State for reminding folks traveling up State Street that it's Market Wednesday.

All active vendors but Pleiades Maple (making hay at the farm) will be on-site today and the summer produce selection is rich in color, variety, and taste.

Produce, fresh flowers, and artisan food choices abound and tasting new flavors is encouraged! 

Looking for serving suggestions? Ask your market vendor for ideas.

Looking to take a few minutes to cool off? Stop by Church of the Messiah's Front Porch at the east end of the market lot. A little shade, a free cool drink, and a chance to take a load off. You may run into someone you know!

Meza, 48 N. State, features a Market Wednesday $1 wine tasting and a great selection of pantry ingredients (many Ohio Proud) to complement your farm fresh market choices. Say Hi to Tatjana or Jason they'll be happy to answer any questions you might have or offer serving suggestions.

Have a great day! Stay cool! See you at the market!

Pictured: Peaches from Branstool Orchards at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Week 12 Photo Tour

The July 21st (Week 12) Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market Photo Tour is now online.

Click here to visit the Photo Tour on flickr.

Pictured: Malabar Peach Orchard at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: July 21st Market Report

It's a great day to visit the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at N. State and E.Home Streets in Uptown Westerville.

Sweet corn, peaches, and a beautiful selection of tomatoes are the hightlights of our produce selection today!

Mike Dippold of Malabar Peach Orchard is making his season debut with fresh, tree-ripened peaches.

We will not see Carousel Watergarden Farm this week (so no eggs).

Our food artisans sell pie, cookies, specialty breads, confections, chutneys, raw honey, maple syrup and sugar products, delicious cheeses, salsas, chips, sauces, marinades, jams, and biscottis. 

And, Northridge Organic Farm, Flying J Farm and Triple J Farms feature a selection of fresh meats ready for the grill.

Each Market Wednesday, Meza, at 48 N. State, features $1 wine tastings.  Stop in and visit with Tatjana Brown this afternoon!

See you at the market!

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Recipes - Peach Cobbler

This week, the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market hosts both Branstool Orchards and Malabar Peach Farm.  After no Ohio peaches last year due to a freeze, this year's fresh, tree-ripened peaches are a sweet, juicy, welcome feast for the senses.  Enjoy!

Peach Cobbler

3 cups sliced peaches - 9 fresh peaches or measured from canned or thawed frozen
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoon melted butter
1 cup sifted flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons shortening
1/3 cup milk

Slice peaches into baking dish and add 1/2 cup sugar (to taste), lemon juice, and melted butter.  Make batter by sifting flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar into mixing bowl. Cut in shortening, as for biscuits, then stir in milk to make a soft dough.  Drop by spoonfuls over peaches and bake in 425 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

This recipe is a recipe my Mom adapted to her style of cooking from a 1976 edition of an HER Realty Cook Book. My Mom was an amazing cook and she cooked with love and passion; she equated baking to a cool form of math and chemistry. My Mom battled ovarian cancer for 8 years, and a few years before she passed (in July 2007), she put together a family recipe book that had all our favorite home-cooked family dishes. Like my Mom, you'll adapt the recipe to your style, taste, and family. Shortening being a trans fat, you may want to substitute unsalted butter for the shortening. This cobbler is so, so, so good, and quite nice with a touch of really good vanilla ice cream on the side, and a tall, cool glass of iced tea. Enjoy. - Linda Foor, UWFM Manager

Picture: Fresh peaches from Branstool Orchards.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Local Kitchens - Vonn Jazz & Blues

An UWFM nod to Chef Mike Black of Vonn Jazz & Blues at 245 E. Campus View.

Chef Mike is a Westerville native and buys local, including choice seasonal produce from the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market, for his menu.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: July 21st Market Preview

Because the produce vendors at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market sell farm fresh, we don't often know what's coming to market until the vendors pull in, and this week, we know the starting line up!

Fresh-picked sweet corn, tomatoes, and peaches!

To take a look at last week's market fare, take the UWFM Photo Tour on flickr.

(Keep in mind the market opens at 3 p.m. and no earlier!)

Home grown. Home made. All Ohio. 

See you at the market!

Pictured: Sweet Corn from Doran's Family Farm, Peaches from Branstool Orchards, and Cherry Tomatoes from Bridgman Farm.

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.