Bud, Erin and Mark at the Market
CSU is amazing. Their new recreation center is LEED certified. Erin Huber and LeAnn Westfall managed to get a green roof project installed. Then, last year came the North Union Farmer’s Market. I have to admit, that I had planned on going to see this market at its opening last year, but never made it. With Tuesday being the local Tremont Farmer’s Market in the park, and Saturday hosting the Gordon Square Farmer’s Market, I never actually made it downtown. So this year, I made sure to make the brief trek down. I was greeted by one of the founders, Erin Huber.
plenty to see at CSU Farmer's Market
First off, I was amazed at the amount of vendors. It is early in the season, so I din’t expect more than a few stalls. Instead, there were two nice long rows of vendors. The assortment of types of stalls was a surprise as well. I was surprised to see vendors selling prepared foods, baked goods, and desserts. I had a hard time keeping my money in my pocket when I saw Zoss the Swiss Baker next to an amazing stall with brownies and caramel apple pies. One spot had plant seedlings at amazing prices, 3 plants for 2 bucks for tomatoes and peppers. I have been watching my own sprouts come up and waiting with much anticipation for my own tomatoes to come in.
Ripe and tasty!
Let’s face it, you can’t buy a decent tomato in Cleveland between November and June. Or can you? There were several stalls of fresh local veggies, and one had greenhouse tomatoes grown in the ground. I had to have some. At a mere $4.50 for a quart, I was thrilled to have a tomato that tasted like something other than red mush. I rushed home to have some for lunch, in fact and they were some of the best tomatoes I have eaten in a loooong time. In addition, there were at least two vendors selling cheeses that were made from grass fed cow’s milk. If you think that what a cow eats doesn’t matter, you are mistaken. Grass fed cows produce a richer tastier milk that is ideal for cheeses and ice creams. We are so used to gassy cows fed on corn, that we barely know what real milk is supposed to taste like. There was also a lovely woman who was selling some of my favorite condiments. She had a great assortment of jellies made from wine grapes (something I had wanted to make myself when I was in the wine business) and stone ground exotic mustards. Apples, breads, and even hand made body care were there. Toss in a little live music and sunshine, and I could have lingered all day. Sadly, I had to get back to work. The Earth to U Farmers market is open every Thursday from 10:30-1:30. Conveniently located on the CSU campus between E 18th and E 21st on Euclid (near the CSU School of Law), it is the perfect place to kick back on your lunch break or make the trek for your tasty veggies. With the yummy looking sandwiches made on the spot, why would anyone eat indoors? If you have to drive, you can park in the garage at the E 21st street & Prospect for a mere $1 hour. See you there, and tell Erin I sent you… but save me some tomatoes.
plants for pennies
Stone ground goodness
Friendly vendors
Tags: farmers markets, local food
