Finally! Spring is just around the corner (I know it's officially here, but you know what I mean). Pretty soon the first greens will be showing up in the markets. Before we know it, it will be next winter and we'll be whining about the snow and the cold and how there's nothing to eat but rutabagas. Now is the time to prepare. Each year, I try to list lots of ways you can eat locally.
I know that for some people, going to the farm markets seems like a pain when you can just as easily go to the grocery store, but I assure you; once you are used to buying most of your food from Farm Markets, you won't know how or why you used to do it at a grocery store where you can't smell anything and the lighting's bad and the produce was picked underripe by an indentured servant so that it could be shipped from Chile in one piece.
The farmers markets have everything you need - in fact, you can even buy flour and cornmeal at the markets! Alas, no sugar, but honey and maple syrup galore!
So. Let's talk a little bit about the various markets in town, when they occur, what they offer, and where they are located.
If I have left out a farmer's market, please let me know by leaving a comment! I don't want to leave anyone out!
Farmer's Markets by Part of Town
Downtown
Pearl Market, (Twitter) Pearl Alley between Gay & Broad Streets (map). Tuesdays & Fridays mid-May through October, 10:30am-2pm. Pearl Market is a mix of farmers, flower vendors, food vendors, and merchandise vendors. A good alternative to the usual lunch spots. Read about a few of my visits there, including those amazing samosas!
North Market Farmer's Market, 59 Spruce (map), Saturdays 8am with small start as early as April. Very large market with pretty much everything you need. Can be crowded at times.
North
Worthington Farmer's Market, High St @ 161 in Olde Worthington (map). Saturday mornings May - October 9am - 1pm. This is a very, very large market. One of my favorites and a weekly visit. Can occasionally be overwhelmingly crowded, but you can find just about anything there.
Clintonville Farmer's Market, High St @ Orchard, just north of N. Broadway (map). Saturday mornings beginning May 23rd (buy plants on May 2nd) 9am-noon. Another of my favorites; especially nice for those who want to buy a lot without walking too far or dealing with too many crowds. Although this market can get crowded, most of the people at this market are there to shop, not stroll, and being Clintonvillers, everyone is very nice! Special shout out for having lots of yummy Amish baked goods (amazing doughnuts). Great variety in an accessible environment.
Powell Farmer's Market, 47 Hall St (map), Thursdays beginning June 11th, 3pm-6pm. I haven't been to this market. Powell is a quaint little town north of Columbus; it has lots of antique shops as well as a very good cupcakerie, Pink Moon Cupcakes.
NorthEast
Westerville Farm Market in Uptown Westerville, corner of E. State & N. Home (map), Wednesdays beginning May 6th, 3pm -6pm. I haven't been to this market because I work on Wednesdays, but my friend Kelly goes and she likes it.
NorthWest
Upper Arlington Farm Market, Mallway & Arlington (map), Wednesdays beginning early June, 4pm-6pm. I have not been to this market.
South
Grove City Farm Market, Broadway & Park (map), Saturdays beginning early July, times unknown. I have not been to this market.
Downtown
Pearl Market, (Twitter) Pearl Alley between Gay & Broad Streets (map). Tuesdays & Fridays mid-May through October, 10:30am-2pm. Pearl Market is a mix of farmers, flower vendors, food vendors, and merchandise vendors. A good alternative to the usual lunch spots. Read about a few of my visits there, including those amazing samosas!
North Market Farmer's Market, 59 Spruce (map), Saturdays 8am with small start as early as April. Very large market with pretty much everything you need. Can be crowded at times.
North
Worthington Farmer's Market, High St @ 161 in Olde Worthington (map). Saturday mornings May - October 9am - 1pm. This is a very, very large market. One of my favorites and a weekly visit. Can occasionally be overwhelmingly crowded, but you can find just about anything there.
Clintonville Farmer's Market, High St @ Orchard, just north of N. Broadway (map). Saturday mornings beginning May 23rd (buy plants on May 2nd) 9am-noon. Another of my favorites; especially nice for those who want to buy a lot without walking too far or dealing with too many crowds. Although this market can get crowded, most of the people at this market are there to shop, not stroll, and being Clintonvillers, everyone is very nice! Special shout out for having lots of yummy Amish baked goods (amazing doughnuts). Great variety in an accessible environment.
Powell Farmer's Market, 47 Hall St (map), Thursdays beginning June 11th, 3pm-6pm. I haven't been to this market. Powell is a quaint little town north of Columbus; it has lots of antique shops as well as a very good cupcakerie, Pink Moon Cupcakes.
NorthEast
Westerville Farm Market in Uptown Westerville, corner of E. State & N. Home (map), Wednesdays beginning May 6th, 3pm -6pm. I haven't been to this market because I work on Wednesdays, but my friend Kelly goes and she likes it.
NorthWest
Upper Arlington Farm Market, Mallway & Arlington (map), Wednesdays beginning early June, 4pm-6pm. I have not been to this market.
South
Grove City Farm Market, Broadway & Park (map), Saturdays beginning early July, times unknown. I have not been to this market.
