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.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Vendors Online

We'd like to announce Doran's Family Farm's new website: http://www.doransfarmmarket.com/

You can find many Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market vendors online:

Arjay Gourmet: http://www.chutneylady.com/

Bildsten Landscape: http://www.bildstenlandscape.com/

Bird's Haven Farms: http://www.birdshavenfarms.com/

Blue Jacket Dairy: http://www.bluejacketdairy.com/

Carousel Watergarden Farm: http://www.cwffarm.com/

Flying J Farm: http://www.flyingjfarm.com/

Honey Health Farms: http://honeyhealthfarms.com/store/index.html

Landrum Cottage: http://landrumcottage.com/

Luna Burgers: http://www.lunaburger.com/lunaburger/Home.html

Northridge Organic Farm (on Local Harvest): http://www.localharvest.org/farms/M11998

Pleiades Maple Products: http://www.pleiadesfarm.com/

Sue's Kitchen Blog: http://fromsueskitchen.blogspot.com/

Sweet Thing Gourmet: http://sweetthinggourmet.com/Home.html

Photo: From 2009, shopping at Doran's Family Farm at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: May 26th Market Report

What a beautiful day to visit the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

From plants for gardens to pies for dessert, the market should be on your holiday weekend shopping list.

This week, we unveil our brand new Market Wednesday sidewalk banner.

Sue Renner of Sue's Kitchen tells us... "I'm bringing Blueberry Crumb Bars! I'll also have Pastry Lemonade, Nanner Nut Breads, lots of Cookie stacks and a variety of fresh baked fruit pies."  Sue's pies come in 2 sizes: standard and small.  No matter the size, Sue's pies are beyond compare!

A passion for baking -- check out the Sue's Kitchen blog, click here.

Out making hay... Northridge Organic Farm and Pleiades Maple Products.  Our market vendors come to Westerville from their active farms and some weeks, still gotta farm! So, we won't see Mike Laughlin or Eddie Lou Meimer today.

Meza, 48 N. State, continues its Market Wednesday $1 Wine Tasting.  Stop by Meza for fine wines and pantry fare to complement your market purchases. While you're here for the market, Shop Uptown Westerville.

Pictured: Strawberry rhubarb pie from Sue's Kitchen.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Westerville on Memorial Day

As Memorial Day approaches, the Westerville Sunrise Rotary is presenting the Field of Heroes over Memorial Day weekend (May 29th - 31st).

Field of Heroes is an installation of 2000 American flags to honor those who have and do sacrifice and serve. The Field of Heroes is located not far from Uptown Westerville at County Line Road and Cleveland Avenue, across from the Community Rec Center.

This year, the installation will also feature the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall.

On May 27th, escorted by Westerville Police and the Ohio Patriot Guard Riders Motorcycle Brigade between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., the Moving Wall will arrive in Westerville on a route that rolls south on State Street from Polaris Parkway, through Uptown Westerville, west on Schrock Road and north on Cleveland Ave. Organizers are encouraging folks to stand along the procession route to honor the veterans, the wall, and the holiday.

You may be interested in attending or know someone who would be, so please pass the word if you will.

Westerville's Memorial Day parade begins Monday, May 31st at 9:45 a.m. at State & College in Uptown Westerville.

True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost. - Arthur Ashe

The vendors and management of the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market wish you a safe, happy Memorial Day holiday weekend. 

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Week 3 Photo Tour

A beautiful day for fresh air shopping and farm fresh foods at the Uptown Westerville Farmers Market.

The Week 3 Market Photo Tour is now on flickr, click here to take the tour.

Picture: You taste, you'll buy! Delicious artisan cheeses from Blue Jacket Dairy.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: The Market Farm Box

Food Network's Barefoot Contessa Ina Garden's delicious Farm Stand Foods ideas are featured this afternoon (and again on June 8th at 1:30 p.m. so set that DVR!).

Scalloped Tomatoes, Zucchini Pancakes, and Cape Cod Chopped Salad

Click this link for these 3 great Farm Stand Food recipes from Ina.

Ina's Farm Box Challenge is a great idea for your favorite foodie!  Find a great basket, tote, or container (use your imagination!) and stop by the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market any Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. from May to October at N. State and E. Home and create a Farm Box of fresh produce, herbs, proteins, and artisan foods.

Stop at Meza at 48 N. State (just steps south of the market) and find great wines and pantry fare as the perfect personal accompaniment to your Farm Box!

Create a Great Grillin' Farm Box for Dad for Father's Day!

See you at the market!

Photo: From 2009's Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market tomatoes from Bird's Haven Farms.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: May 19th Market Report

It's Week 3 of the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

We're so pleased to see this season's beautiful flower baskets now hanging from the lampposts in Uptown Westerville. 

Accuweather predicts a Market Wednesday similar to last week where the weather will be mostly cloudy, but there may be some raindrops around 4ish (about 40%).

The Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market is held rain or shine and all market vendors have canopies. So pack the light rain gear and your umbrella and stop by the market!

We should see another week or 2 of asparagus (great grilled) and other early-in-the-season produce includes radishes, rhubarb, and lettuce.

The market's food artisans bring a selection of delicious favorites that include pie, cheese, veggie burgers, cookies, specialty breads, raw honey, jams, biscottis, coffee bread, pantry fare, and maple syrup & kid-favorite maple sugar lollipops.

Market protein selection includes grain-fed, grass-fed, chemical-free, and organic lamb, beef, pork, poultry, and fresh eggs.

Most of our market vendors feature samples, so stop by the market to buy a favorite or try something new!

The Uptown Westerville hanging baskets come from Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market vendor Bildsten Landscape, visit the market to visit with Karen and Mark Bildsten and check out their beautiful hanging baskets and herbs. 

While you're Uptown, we encourage you to Shop Uptown Westerville.  And, visit Meza at 48 N. State for Market Wednesday $1 wine tastings, delicious and affordable wines, and pantry fare to accompany your market selections.

See you at the market!

Pictured: Delicious, fresh asparagus from Doran's Family Farm.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: Week 2 Photo Tour

What makes the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market so cool? The people!

Take the Week 2 Photo Tour on flickr.  Click here.


Photo: Shopping at Bird's Haven Farm at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market: What are those WARM Fresh Green Signs?

When you visit the market you may notice a laminated sign about WARM Fresh Green Coupons.  So...what's Fresh Green?

3 years ago, Westerville Area Resource Ministry and the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market came up with an idea to try to extend the reach of the WARM Food Pantry to fresh foods at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market.

Why can't everyone in greater Westerville, no matter their need, be able to come to the farmers' market and purchase fresh, healthy foods and fruit bearing plants?

A "hand-up and not a hand-out" organization, WARM's mission is to offer support, services, and short-term assistance to help people become self-sufficient.  WARM's outreach includes educational services, life-management training, professional referrals, and spiritual support.

Participation from market vendors is entirely optional, but every eligible vendor welcomes Fresh Green. WARM Fresh Green Participants present a WARM Fresh Green coupon (provided by WARM) worth $5 toward purchase at the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market for any produce, meats, eggs, poultry, artisan foods, and fruit bearing plants.

At the end of each month, market vendors are reimbursed in-full for all the coupons they accept, through the market, from the WARM Fresh Green fund.

With Fresh Green, everyone benefits.

In the 2009 season, Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market vendors accepted 494 WARM Fresh Green coupons totalling $2,470.

The WARM Fresh Green Program is funded entirely by contributions.  Contributors to the fund include St. Paul Catholic Church, St. Paul School (students pay $5 to WARM Fresh Green to participate in a casual dress day), Dairy Queen, A Gal Named Cinda Lou, Westerville Antiques, the Westerville Uptown Merchants Association, and friends and residents here in Westerville.

If you are interested in supporting WARM and the WARM Fresh Green Program, contact the Westerville Area Resource Ministry at 175A E. Broadway, Westerville, 43081 or 614.899.0196 or info@warmwesterville.org.

If your farmers' market would like to set up a similar program, we'd love to tell you what we did, just contact the Uptown Westerville Farmers' Market at info@marketwednesday.com.