The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Fresh scene
Farmers markets open with vendor facetime and everything from pea shoots to cinnamon rolls
Pea shoots, ramps and rhubarb are among the fresh-from-the-farm foods that can be found at area farmers markets, some of which are open now with others to follow.
“Pea shoots are amazing,” says Tina Klco, who helps operate Rainbow Farms in North Perry Village. “I like to cut them up, cook them a little in butter and put them on top of macaroni and cheese or into salads. They taste just like fresh peas.”
It’s been a cool spring, she said, so everything is a little late. Rainbow Farms takes its produce to both the Heart of Willoughby Outdoor Market and the North Union Farmers Market at Shaker Square, both of which already have opened for the season on Saturdays. She said they’ll also be at the Painesville Farmers Market, which is on Thursdays beginning June 2, and the Mentor Farmers Markets, which runs on Fridays starting June 17.
Lisa Samples, who moved her Cedar Crest Farm & Feed to Newbury Township from Kirtland Hills, is a vendor at the Geauga Fresh Farmers’ Market, which meets Saturday mornings behind South Russell Village Hall on Route 306 at Bell Road. A believer in the value of backyard chickens, Samples will bring a few of her beautiful hens for market goers to see, and she’ll sell chicken and duck eggs her poultry produce. Ask her how to get started with a small flock of chickens.
It’s the 20th anniversary for the Geauga Fresh Farmers’ Market, and Market Manager Tiffany Mentzer is excited about all the events that are planned. The anniversary will be celebrated on June 18 with tastings, kids crafts, music and giveaways.
“July 16 will be Kids Day, with as many as 20 kids as vendors in our wooded area. It’s a partnership with the Young Entrepreneur Institute at University School for kids interested in setting up their own businesses.”
Market days dedicated to strawberries, corn and tomatoes will feature tastings of those foods when the crops are at their peaks, along with recipes and giveaways. Vendors include a few Amish families and everyone produces, grows or makes what they sell at the Geauga Fresh Farmers’ Market.
The Heart of Willoughby Outdoor Market, which was established in 1979, is the area’s oldest outdoor market. It meets Saturday mornings in the parking lot in front of Willoughby’s city hall.
Miro Gnjatic from Kirtland is back at the Heart of Willoughby Outdoor Market with his Ravine Homegrown Mushrooms. They’re grown in a garage with a ravine in back.
“I like the Willoughby market,” he said. “The People are really friendly.”
He has King, Pink, Yellow and Phoenix Oyster mushrooms and also sells Shiitake mushrooms.
”I don’t grow as many Shiitakes since they take up more space than the Oyster mushrooms,” he said.
Michael’s Bake Shop has been embraced by those who come to the Saturdaymorning market in Willoughby.
“I’ve sold out early every Saturday,” said Michael Richmond, baker and proprietor. “I have a 5-quart mixer and a home oven, so I can make four loaves every half hour. I start at 6 (p.m.) on Friday and bake all night. The bread is really, really fresh when the market opens at 8 a.m. on Saturday.”
His cinnamon rolls are a market favorite and usually sell out first.
The aforementioned farmers market in downtown Painesville runs from noon to 4 p.m. on Thursdays.
“It’s designed that way so people who work downtown can come on their lunch hour,” said Kevin Cindric, recreation supervisor with the city of Painesville, which operates the market on the square in front of the Lake County Courthouse.
“We’re on the north side of the square, which has wider sidewalks so people can spread out,” Cindric said.
That was a change made as a pandemic protocol but one that will remain now that most COVID-19-related cautions have been discontinued.
“We’ll have a different food truck each week and picnic tables so people can sit down with their lunch after they’ve done their shopping,” he said.
Even though it doesn’t open until June 17, the Mentor Farmers’ Market has a waiting list for would-be vendors.
“We have nine new vendors this year and about 30 returning vendors,” said Linda Wintersteller, market coordinator for the city’s recreation department.
That market meets from 2 to 6 p.m. on Fridays at Eleanor B. Garfield Park, 7967 Mentor Ave. It’s just east of the Great Lakes Mall and draws 1,200 shoppers each week.
“We look for variety so everyone isn’t selling the same things. We have vendors selling specialty garlic, purple carrots, gourmet mushrooms, elderberry syrup, candied nuts and lavender shortbread,” she said.
“Fantastic Fridays take place one Friday each month (June 17, July 29, Aug. 26 and Sept. 23) when 70 arts and crafts vendors will be on hand,” she said.