As you know, I am now a big fan of farmers markets. Fresh, local produce is fantastic! Moreover, it promotes the local economy by creating jobs and promoting local farmers. Besides, the flavor of veggies grown right here in Ohio, as opposed to shipped while still unripe from California, Texas, or (gulp) New Zealand, is immeasurable. While touring Amish country with my family, I could barely stop myself from buying fresh produce at every roadside stand and country market. I haven’t eaten peaches that delicious in years! I even ate a meal that was little more than tomatoes-they were that tasty!
This week, I am looking forward to the Corn Festival at the Gordon Square Farmer’s Market. If you aren’t familiar, the Gordon Square Farmer’s Market was previously known as Ward 17 Market. It is every week, on Saturdays, at the Bethany Presbyterian Church, at 65th and Clinton. This week is the famed “Sweet Corn Festival!” There will be local, roasted, sweet corn and live music. If you have kids, this is the time to bring them down and talk about local foods with them! There will be games to keep them occupied, too! There will be a 50/50 raffle and of course all the regular vendors. Market hours are 9am – 1pm and the Sweet Corn Festival runs from 11am – 1pm. For more information, visit the Local Food Cleveland group. Think about joining (it’s free) to find out more about what is going on in the movement. This group was started by Peter McDermott and Cleveland is lucky to have him help lead the charge for local food in our region. He is a great guy and works hard to grow our local economy by growing local food demand. And to find out about all the farmers markets visit this post. There is one that needs to be added and that is the one starting next month. At the summit, I met LeeAnn Westfall and Erin Huber of CSU. They were responsible for putting a green roof on Rec Center building at CSU. Not to end there they are starting a downtown farmer’s market that will open the first week of September. Watch this space for more information about both of their projects!
Tags: buy local, environment, Events, food, gardening
mmmm yum. I’m surrounded by corn fields out here in the sticks and the farmers with the sweet corn load up a trailor and park it on the side of their fields. They put up a sign that says “Bakers dozen $4″ and put a small cash box with change in it. You go, load up, pay and head off to enjoy some of the greatest corn on the planet. Simple times have not yet left our little town yet.
Life is still good sometimes, isn’t it?