Area farmers’ markets are up and running, bringing fresh produce and unique items to patrons.
The Downtown Mansfield Farmers’ Market is held every Friday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The market is currently offering strawberries, while supplies last, as well as baked goods, jams and jellies, plants, a variety of early produce, and even handmade wooden spoons.
Brian Niedermier, the man behind the spoons, said he makes each one from wood cut on his father’s farm. “This is what you get when a man spends a long winter indoors,” he said, indicating the large selection of wooden implements on his table.
At the Bellville market, held on the village square located on State Route 13, shoppers may browse vendor stalls while enjoying a bit of culture. New addition to the market, Jennifer Butler, offers baked goods while her daughter, Maggie Butler, a member of Mansfield Youth Symphony Orchestra, entertains shoppers with her cello.
Bellville is also offering “agricultural crafts” for the first time this season. The crafts are limited to items made by hand from agricultural items, such as gourds or broom straw.
The market has been embraced by residents, according to Bellville Market Chairperson Megan Hill, “The Clear Fork Valley, as always, has responded positively and happily to the market’s return this year. People welcome back their favorite vendors and have embraced our new ones. We hope to maybe be a part of the holiday parades in Bellville this summer, as well as bringing back our grocery bag initiative with the help of Richland public health.”
Galion’s North Side Farmers’ Market is held on Tuesdays and offers hand-milled soaps, herbs, plants, and a variety of baked goods. The market also has Swiss chard, red Russian kale, curly kale, green onions, and radishes.
Marcheta Gibson, one of the NSFM founders, noted that later in the season the market will be booming. Vendors will have almost everything from apples to zucchini, as well as an abundant supply of local, fresh sweet corn. In the fall the market carries fresh apple cider. Naturally raised meats, sold from a freezer, are also available.
“Our philosophy is for our customers to have an enjoyable experience shopping and visiting with each other in an open-air environment,” said Gibson. “Many times we have special events which include a local chef preparing foods collected that day from vendors, make-it/take-it activities for children and special demonstrations of cooking products.”
Also in Galion is a new market, Galion Farmers’ Market. It is held every Wednesday, with offerings from market manager Brian Foley of Cakes by Brian. The market is registered with the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
The market will have much to offer as the season develops. “We have a variety of local farms that will attend with flowers, baked goods, jams and jellies, honey, maple syrup, and handmade soaps,” said Foley.
Holy Trinity Farmers’ Market in Mansfield has a variety of produce available: lettuce, kale, spinach, bunching onions, radish, broccoli, garlic scapes, jams and jellies, maple syrup, pancake mix, cookies, tea cakes, bread, and plants. Growers hope to offer sugar snap peas, potatoes, and mushrooms in the near future.
The market has seen such a rush of avid shoppers that Holy Trinity Farmers’ Market Manager Cindy Shasky noted that, to be fair to patrons, the market, which opens at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, will no longer offer early sales.
Health Educator and Creating Healthy Communities Project Coordinator with Richland Public Health Karyl Price has been a great help to local markets, noted Shasky. Price has put together a customer loyalty program with a card to be stamped three times before customers receive a reusable shopping bag. Market participation varies, so please ask at your local Richland County market about this program.
Alta Greenhouse Market, 935 S. Home Road, Mansfield – Saturdays, 2-5 p.m.
Bellville Farmers’ Market, SR 13, Village Square, Bellville – Saturdays, 9 a.m. – noon
Downtown Mansfield Farmers’ Market, 4th and Main, Mansfield – Fridays, 10 a.m.– 1 p.m.
Galion Farmers’ Market, 5670 Ohio 19, Galion – Wednesdays 3:30 – 6 p.m.
Holy Trinity Farmers’ Market, 525 W. Cook Rd, Mansfield – Tuesdays 3-6 p.m.
North End Farmers’ Market, USW Hall, 376 W. Longview Ave, Mansfield – 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 11 a.m.—2 p.m.
North Side Farmers’ Market, 901 Portland Way North, Galion – Tuesdays 4-6 p.m.
Shelby Farmers’ Market, Downtown Shelby – Saturdays, 9 a.m. —noon
