To continue their mission connecting people, food, and land, Countryside Conservancy will continue its farmers’ markets through winter, thanks to a series of indoor markets starting Saturday, Nov. 4 at Old Trail School.
Over 50 vendors will set up in the cafeteria and offer a wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables. They’ll continue their offerings throughout the winter using storage techniques and high tunnel growing. Market goers may also expect to see vendors featuring artisan breads, pastries, jams and jellies, honey, fresh pastas, chocolates, pastured eggs, beef, pork, bison and lamb, cheese, handcrafted soaps and body products, fresh roasted coffee, locally blended teas, fresh baked pies.
A variety of hot breakfasts also will be available. Additionally, local artists will be featuring handmade crafts and unique items for gift-giving.
Markets will also feature weekly musicians in both shopping areas. Monthly children’s activities will be presented by Old Trail School, and monthly yoga classes presented by certified yoga teaches from various studios. Details will be available at cvcountryside.org, and Countryside’s Facebook page, as they are finalized.
Other winter dates are Nov. 11 and 18; Dec. 2, 9 and 16; Jan. 6 and 20; Feb. 3 and 17; March 3 and 17; and April 7. Old Trail School is located at 2315 Ira Road in Akron.
For a list of vendors, visit www.cvcountryside.org/eat-winter-market-vendors.
This season, Countryside and Old Trail School also are collaborating to offer two fundraising breakfasts on Dec. 9 and March 17. Menus will be seasonal, featuring ingredients sourced from market vendors and other local producers; proceeds will offset the operational costs of the winter markets. Market sponsorships, individual or small business, are also available and contribute to the sustainability of year-round local and direct from producer food access. For sponsorship information, visit cvcountryside.org/give-marketsponsorship.
Countryside Farmers’ Markets are free and open to the public. Countryside accepts the Ohio Direction Card and offers Produce Perks (formerly Carrot Cash), a nutrition incentive program that provides matching funds for purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables. For the 2017-18 Winter Market season, Countryside will increase the match from $15 to $20 per market.
Countryside Conservancy connects people, food, and land. We manage three thriving farmers’ markets; offer educational programming for farmers, backyard gardeners, and home cooks with our Countryside U courses; and through our Countryside Initiative program have reestablished working family farms in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. To learn more visit www.cvcountryside.org.
