At the Market

Our local growing season is hitting its stride. Yesterday many farmers and other vendors braved the horrid heat and humidity to offer their goodies at the Northside Farmers Market, which runs 4-7 Pm every Wednesday until at least September.
The baby squash, most with their blossoms still attached, were tender and quite lovely simply sauteed in a little olive oil with onion and garlic.
One or two vendors had several varieties of tomatoes, and local peaches also made an appearance. I didn't see corn yet, but perhaps some will show up on Saturday at Findlay Market.

Running Creek Farm -- at Northside Farmers Market

This week I am featuring Running Creek Farm at the Northside Farmers Market. Running Creek has one of the most attractive booths and extensive selections of fresh, locally grown foods you can find at any metro-area market.

Co-owner Jim Lowenburg told me he grows about 14 varieties of potato and 20 types of tomatoes. Yesterday, the booth had a good selection of each along with five types of garlic. If you haven't had fresh-picked, local garlic but only know the supermarket stuff, do yourself a favor and find a market that sells the former. It will be a revelation!

As you can see from the photo, there's also a pretty display of cut flowers for sale here.

Running Creek Farm is in Mt. Healthy, OH, and all their produce is pesticide-free.

Northside Market at Hoffner Park (off Hamilton) is open Wednesdays from 4 - 7:30 PM.

Northside Farmers Market -- Expanded and Improved

The Northside Farmers Market used to be crammed into a small parking lot on Hamilton Avenue across from Melt and the Northside Tavern. Parking was impossible and it was hot and full of car fumes there.

This year, however, the market has moved to Hoffner Park, which is just off Hamilton Ave. (take a left on Hoffner St.) as you enter Northside from Clifton. The location is a huge improvement. Vendors now are comfortably spread out, there are benches and even shady spots where you can relax while you shop, and many more vendors usually come to this great location.

My favorite find so far is some wonderful watermelon gazpacho--look for a tent near the entrance where they are giving out samples of their many vegan and vegetarian goodies. (I did not get the name of the vendors, sorry!)

The offerings are likely to expand even more as the growing season hits its full stride in the next few weeks. The market is every Wednesday from 4 - 7:30 PM.