ONTARIO — Richland County residents will soon have another location to purchase fresh food and homegrown goods.
The Ontario Center, formerly the Richland Mall, is launching a Friday farmers market on June 28.
Hannah Ball, owner-operator of the Ontario Farmers Market, said The Ontario Center owners aim to offer a variety of local producers at the mall’s space.
“We have 13 confirmed vendors, but I’m hoping for 15 to 20 by next Friday,” Ball said. “We’ve got a good mix of food, canned goods, plants, clothing, arts, crafts, bath and body.”
Ball said the market’s grand opening vendors are all local to north central Ohio, but she sees an opportunity to draw from Cleveland or Columbus vendors in the future.
“We have a Fredericktown vendor who has never done a Mansfield market before and I think we could easily draw from the bigger cities as we get into the groove,” she said.
The Lexington resident said there will also be food trucks outside and a musician providing entertainment. The farmers market will be indoors with the main entrance near the food court, and the old Chuck E. Cheese location.
The Ontario Farmers Market will be from 3 to 7 p.m. every Friday.
The vendors for the first Ontario Farmers Market on June 26 include:
- Wild Acre
- The Iris Patch
- High Desert Greens
- The Candy Lab
- Wild Things Grove
- Mansfield Nutrition
- Whispers of Elders
- Colorful Crochet
- Forever Welded
- Willow Zero Waste
- Q & R Farm
- Sweet Grass Dairy
- Cali Farmer
“I know a lot of local vendors that drive to Columbus and Cleveland, and we really want to build a space for them here,” Ball said. “We want to create a strong local food market for the vendors and residents.”
Supporters of the Ontario Farmers Market include The Ontario Center, Nourish Wellness Bar and LeapYear Studios. Interested supporters can fill out a form indicating whether they are interested in website and/or onsite advertising.
Vendors wanting to apply for the farmers market can apply online. Musicians can email info@ontariofarmersmarket.com for booking details or visit the info table at the grand opening on Friday.
Those interested in more information can follow the Ontario Farmers Market on Facebook, Instagram or fill out a contact form.
