SO FRESH, SO CLEAN

Elyria Farmers Market sells produce from local vendors

The Elyria Farmers Market was in full swing, Aug. 31, featuring multiple local vendors offering locally grown and prepared goods.

“We are currently operating on the East Falls River Walk (behind the Elyria Police Department, 18 West Ave.) with the construction going on at Broad (Street),” said Bobbie Sears, a board member for Invest Elyria, a nonprofit organization that organizes and operates the market. “In the past we have been able to have it at Pioneer Plaza (328 Broad St.), but we have been relocated back here for the time being. We are thankful to have a space this year, but we have seen limited foot traffic than we are used to.”

Sears said the market starts in June and has two more weeks remaining.

“I encourage folks to stop by when they get the chance to,” she said. “We will be here from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. next Saturday (Sept. 7) and the Saturday after (Sept. 14); that wraps up the year for us. The draw is the great produce and goods we have, and it’s all produced locally. This was all made possible by the work of Mary Bryan (executive director of Invest Elyria) and her husband, Tim Bryan (vice chair of Invest Elyria).”

One of the vendors was Sydney Taylor, 13, a student

at Open Door Christian School in Elyria, who is the president of her company G.O. Fresh Brands.

“The ‘G’ stands for garden fresh, the ‘O’ stands for orchard fresh, and we sell all-natural maple tree water,” she said. “We also use the water to make fruit shake-ups (smoothies), and we sell maple syrup. The idea behind the business is to provide fresh products for neighborhoods that have limited supermarket access.”

Proceeds for G.O. Fresh Brands supports the Our F.A.M.I.L.Y. (Fathers And Mothers Involved in Local Youth) organization and their work with at-risk youth.

Joan Perch, sales associate for Biber Farms, was also at the market selling produce on behalf of her son, Josh Biber, who owns the farm.

“We have a good variety of cucumbers, squash, tomatoes and more,” she said. “The produce has been pretty easy to sell; folks really love what comes from the farm. With my background in selling art, it has been fun to rearrange the items to present them to customers. It is, however, much easier to sell the produce.”

Tom Pycraft, owner of Sonrise Produce, also had a stand at the market.

“We have a variety of great produce including pumpkins, which are the popular item this time of year,” he said. “We’re doing pretty good business as we sell everything from pumpkins, peaches, wheat bread. The bread we’re selling is unique because it bypasses the commercial milling process, so it keeps bran and germ; they are nutrients in wheat. We really appreciate the opportunity the market provides for us.”

ZACHARY SRNIS — THE MORNING JOURNAL Tom Pycraft, owner of Sonrise Produce, sells produce at Elyria Farmers Market.

ZACHARY SRNIS — THE MORNING JOURNAL Joan Perch, sales associate with Biber Farms, shows off the produce available to purchase at the Elyria Farmers Market.