Visit the Countryside Conservancy Winter Farmers' Market

It’s March in Northeastern Ohio. What’s a locavore to do? Go to the Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy’s Winter Farmers’ Market, this week’s Great Escape.

With the winter farmers’ market, fresh, locally produced food is available even when there’s snow on the ground. Although the selection changes a bit from market day to market day, Countryside Conservancy Farmers’ Market Assistant Heather Roszczyk said many of the same or similar items are available each time. The fresh produce, however, is seasonal.

This Saturday, Roszczyk said she expects market vendors to show up with carrots, radishes, arugula, spinach, salad mixes, lettuces, kale and Japanese turnips, most of which are grown in “hoop houses” in Summit or surrounding counties. Some of the produce is organic, but the market focus is on locally produced food, Roszczyk said.

Other vendors this week are expected to offer apples and apple cider, potatoes, jams and jellies, pork, beef, bison, farm fresh eggs, cheese, and fresh milled spelt and buckwheat flours, she said.

The market also offers baked goods, including Sally Ohle’s Summit Croissants and some “fabulous” brownies, Roszczyk said. Several artisans also participate in the market, selling crocheted baby hats and dishcloths, stained glass art and pressed flower art.

The Countryside Conservancy’s Winter Farmers' Market is 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday at Old Trail School, Akron. Markets are twice monthly through the end of the winter season. Remaining winter markets are March 27, April 9 and April 25.

Beginning May 5, the Saturday market moves to its summer home, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Howe Meadow in Peninsula. The Countryside Conservancy also operates a summer Farmers’ Market on Thursdays at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens.

Admission is free. The market accepts debit cards and the Ohio Direction Card.