Dear North Market Shopper,In this day and age we’re all trying to do a better job of understanding our food. Where does it come from? How was it produced? Is it safe? And sustainable?

When you shop at North Market, you get the opportunity to understand your food and it comes free of charge. We call it expertise.

It comes in the form of Bluescreek Farm Meats where David and Cheryl Smith not only butcher their meat, they raise it as well on their farm in Marysville.

Doug, Angelo and Shawn at The Fish Guys know about almost every fish they sell. Where it’s from, how it’s caught, how it’s best prepared. There’s a reason they have the best fresh seafood business in town.

Mike Kast at Curds and Whey is known as, “Cheese Mike” for one reason and one reason, only. He’s our city’s foremost expert on cheese and his selection is hard to beat.

Gary Robinette had a national reputation for his pizza BEFORE he even opened his business in the North Market. It’s remarkable.

Columbus Monthly calls Jeni Britton-Bauer, Amy Lozier, Hubert Wilamoski, Jerry Bullock and Annemarie Wong (and Mike Kast!) “world class.”

Michael Jones isn’t just running a produce stand, he’s leading a local revolution promoting healthy food access and local economies.

In just a few weeks our great community of growers begins another season with us. More than 30 farmers bringing you fruits and vegetables, that they grew on their farm. Nothing is more local and nothing tastes better or is more nutritious.

Our expertise runs deep because at North Market your relationship with your food goes deeper than most traditional grocery stores. A trip to the Market earns you the opportunity to meet those individuals whose passion for food makes this one of our country’s finest public markets.

Know your food, know your merchant, know your Market.

Thanks for your continued patronage.

Sincerely,

David Wible, Executive Director

Dear North Market Shoppers,

As we look to 2011, I believe that the Market is in the best shape ever.

The growing awareness to support local businesses and local economies coupled with the movement to eat locally puts North Market in the “sweet spot” of emerging trends.

In late 2010, we added two exciting new businesses and as we open 2011 we have two more that are equally great.

North Market Spices and their broad selection of unique spices and spice blends has been an instant hit. With a knowledgeable staff, they are the perfect complement to the terrific selection of fresh ingredients the Market has to offer.

The Barrel and Bottle provides our shoppers with a wide selection of wine and an ever increasing choice of craft beers. New owners Collin Castore and Jen Burton have delivered a classy shop with an expert point of view on this important Market segment.

This January Clever Crow artisan pizza has opened to rave reviews. From their special cornmeal/sourdough crust to their handmade sausages and cured meats, it’s way more than pizza. Brooke and Gary have taken the craft and elevated it to art. Don’t miss them next time you’re here.

And last, but not least, brezel opens this March with handmade pretzels. New owners Maria Bataglia-Gentile and Brittany Baum have grown slowly, but surely earning a solid following at local markets here in town. Now, they’re making the jump to North Market and our shoppers will be big winners.

These four new businesses are perfect examples of why North Market is recognized as the premier destination for great ingredients, local businesses and artisan purveyors. They add even greater strength to the finest community of food businesses in town.

As the Market continues to evolve, these four new businesses give us reason for even greater celebration. Stop by soon and check us out. We know you’ll be even more impressed.

Sincerely,

Dave Wible
Executive Director

Dear North Market Shopper,

When people talk about their visit to the Market they often talk in sensory terms. The “sights, sounds, tastes and smells” of the Market all contribute to a total sensory experience. And we know that coming to North Market is not just a shopping occasion, it’s a full-on experience.

One of our goals is to enhance the Market experience and do it in a way that is both meaningful to our shoppers and supportive of the mission to promote local food and local businesses.

We have some great activities lined-up in the next few weeks that will be fun, educational and most of all delicious:

September 24 & 25 Columbus Microbrew Festival

It’s a celebration of the booming interest in locally-brewed craft beers. Come taste the work of our local craft brewers in this two-day festival.

September 29 Local Brews, Booze and Foods

It’s our best kept secret. This year we quietly started a little after work gathering on our porch. Shoppers were treated to some great Columbus Brewing Company beers and our version of street food creations. This is our last gathering of the year. We’ve invited new local distillery Middle West Spirits to join the fun. Stop by and give it a try.

October 2 Harvest Festival and Market to Market Ride

In celebration of Local Foods Week we host our annual Harvest Festival that features the late season bounty of our Farmers Market…AND what has become one of the fastest growing cycling events in the City. In a little more than a year, the Market to Market ride has attracted hundreds of cyclists who love and support the local foods movement.

The Dispatch Kitchen

Our partnership with WBNS-10TV and the Columbus Dispatch provides the Market with a fun and educational space. Food editor and James Beard Award winner, Robin Davis leads weekly cooking demonstrations with our city’s finest chefs. The Dispatch Kitchen is also hopping with special events such as CupcakeCampColumbus which is scheduled for October 10.

The Market is more than a place to shop for the greatest artisan, local and international foods. It’s a place where we celebrate, we educate and we have a little fun.

It doesn’t take a special event to make you visit an “experience.” It’s our community of 35 business owners, our unique personality and an unforgettable array of the best food in town.

Dave Wible

Dear North Market Shopper, 

There is nothing…nothing better than locally-grown, fresh-picked fruits and vegetables. For quality, flavor, nutrition and the pure joy of knowing that you’re doing something good for you and your family, fresh is best.

For nearly 30 years North Market has been home to our community’s central Farmers Market. For three decades families from all over Columbus have come downtown to get the best. Why? For most, it’s simply worth the effort.

On Saturday, August 14th North Market will host its’ 19th Annual Farmers Festival. It’s our time to celebrate our unique community of growers and time for you to come to the Market at the absolute pinnacle of the season. Fruits and vegetables will never be fresher and they’ll never be more abundant.

The tradition that is our central downtown Farmers Market is one that is driven by the desire to be part of something that is good. North Market is part of a long-standing tradition, a social gathering place and a piece of the fabric of our city. Every Saturday we see the same faces, families and friends that come here to enjoy the vibrant energy of our very own public market.

The benefits are many, but probably the best is the fact that no matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find the freshest, finest, highest-quality food at North Market.

If you haven’t been down in awhile, stop by our Farmers Festival for a true, authentic taste of Ohio.

I hope to see you here,

Dave Wible

Dear North Market Shoppers,

It’s on! While the weather heats up in June and it “feels” like summer, all the traditional gifts of the season don’t really appear until July.

Sweet corn is here, tomatoes, too. Fresh picked fruits and berries, melons not far behind. Zucchini, eggplant and peppers. It’s Farmers Market time!

While our Farmers Market is held every Saturday morning, the real work begins the day before as our community of growers take to their fields to carefully pick only what’s ready for sale the next morning. No industrial coolers, no cross country or international shipping, just fresh, honest and delicious fruits and vegetables from our neighboring counties.

And something else you should know. Everything our growers sell, they grow. That’s not always the case at other markets. Each and every grower has made the commitment to you that what they sell is what they grow. It makes a difference.

July also brings us the North Market Food and Ohio Wine Festival, July 9-11. By far, our biggest and best event of the year, the Ohio Wine Festival gives our shoppers the opportunity to taste a broad selection of locally produced wines. If you’re into buying local, Ohio wine is a great choice.

Inside the Market House things are humming nicely, as well. Omega Artisan Bakery’s sinful cinnamon rolls were just awarded the “Best Breakfast Item” in Ohio by Food Network Magazine (July/August issue). Columbus Monthly’s readers recognized Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams as the Market’s best vendor and the magazine even recognized Taste of Belgium for the best message on Twitter. Our Market to Market bike ride held in October (then repeated this past May 1st with another one coming up October 2nd) was also recognized by Columbus Monthly as the “best bike ride for foodies.”

Lot’s happening at the Market, but would you expect anything less from our nearly 70 growers, bakers, butchers, grocers, and food artisans?

Come on down this July and get a taste of the action.

Dear North Market Shopper, 

As I move about the community many individuals I encounter are not familiar with and, in fact, surprised to learn about the structure of North Market.

Not many people know that the North Market is operated by a not-for-profit organization, the North Market Development Authority (NMDA).  Our staff of four full-timers and three part-timers report to a 19-member board of directors who oversee the operation of the Market.

While the City of Columbus owns the building, it is the NMDA which attends to the oversight of the Market in our community.  

Unlike typical commercial real estate management ventures or shopping center operations, the Market is operated to create low cost economic opportunities for small family-run businesses and farms.  It is also operated to maintain an old-world style of business that is instrumental in creating the atmosphere that is so unique to our Market.

The NMDA receives its operating dollars from three sources: merchant rent, parking revenue and fundraising.  As a not-for-profit organization, we look to fundraising to help us maintain our position of pride in the community. 

On the evening of Saturday, May 22^nd, North Market will play host to our biggest fundraising event of the year, the Apron Gala.  The Apron Gala is a casual and fun evening of great food, drink and entertainment.  Each year our merchants go all-out to serve up the very best they can offer.  It’s a true gastronomic evening.  

Your $75 ticket is good for a full evening of appetizers, main courses, desserts and drinks personally served by our community of merchants.  Your ticket contribution also goes a long way in helping provide us with the funds so necessary to keep our Market great. 

So, if you’re looking for something fun, delicious and rewarding to do on May 22^nd you should pick up a ticket for the 14^th Annual North Market Apron Gala.  You’ll be doing something great for the Market and something even better for your appetite. 

Hope to see you at the Market and the Apron Gala.

Dave Wible

Executive Director

Dear North Market Shopper,

There’s a new publication in town and it’s well worth your time to grab a copy.  Edible Columbus hit the newsstands on April 1^st and by all accounts, if you’re committed to local foods this is the magazine for you.

Edible Columbus is part of a network of Edible Publications that are in more than 50 markets in the U.S. and Canada.  With its’ focus on local foods, local markets, local restaurants and the local food scene in general, this is the perfect foodie magazine.

The flagship issue of Edible Columbus has a wonderful feature on David and Cheryl Smith of Bluescreek Farm Meats.  It’s an illuminating article on one of North Market’s finest merchants.  There are also stories about Wayward Seed Farm, a regular at our Saturday Farmers Market and board member, John Dornback, chef/owner of basi italia.  The Greener Grocer’s, Michael Jones even contributes a story on local food systems. 

The natural affinity for North Market related editorial content is a true testament to our community position as a premier local food destination.  For more than 130 years we’ve been Columbus’ local food market.

You can pick up a complementary copy of Edible Columbus at our newsstand on the second floor.  It will come out quarterly, so look for the next issue August 1^st. 

Best wishes to publisher, editor and classically trained chef, as well, Tricia Wheeler.  Tricia will be here on the evening of May 22^nd in the Dispatch Kitchen whipping up some tasty treats for our Annual Apron Gala.

Dave Wible

Dear North Market Shopper,

“It’s a Columbus landmark, a tourist destination and a bastion for local mom and pops.”

“It really is the best place to buy food in Columbus. Not to mention, it’s the most fun place to shop.”

“It’s become one of the most renowned public markets in the county.”

Who’s the best local foods market in Columbus? According to the readers of Columbus Alive, it’s us! The North Market.

Nearly 8,000 voters voiced their opinion in the 2010 Best of Columbus issue and when all was said and done, North Market was a fan favorite.

But it’s not the Market that wins the award, it’s the community of local, family-owned and operated businesses that make us great.

Think about it. If you want the best cheese, meat, seafood, poultry, baked goods, flowers, produce, ice cream, chocolate, we’re the place to stop. If you’re looking for an amazing array of ethnic specialties, we’ve got that, too. And once the growing season gets going, we host one of our City’s best farmers markets.

With local food and local businesses playing such an important role in our community, we’re proud that we occupy a leadership position. But don’t take our word for it. The readers of Columbus Alive have spoken and we’re honored to be the best in town.

Thanks,

Dave

PS. Check out the article in Columbus Alive here>

Dear North Market Shopper,

In the past couple weeks while wandering the Market I’ve noticed Michael and Colleen from The Greener Grocer in discussions with some of our local growers.

These meetings are part of an important dialogue between growers and sellers. More and more, we find that growers and sellers are collaborating to provide the freshest, best tasting, most unique fruits and vegetables possible. As we focus on eating locally it’s important that we have strong connections to our growing community. The Greener Grocer and their commitment to locally grown produce provides you with the opportunity to eat the best food possible every day.

Many of us do not realize that farming is a year round endeavor. It doesn’t begin when the first warm days of spring arrive, nor does it end with the first frost. Growers spend the winter preparing for the season by tending to their fields, tuning up equipment and procuring seed stock for the next crop. Many growers are beginning to actively plant starters in hoop houses that help extend both ends of the growing season.

We heartily salute our growers who spend the entire year to make sure that every Saturday during the growing season, you’ll have the widest choice of the freshest, best tasting produce in town.

We’re also planning for the upcoming Farmers Market season, as well. In the next few weeks we’ll be meeting with our community of growers to talk about plans for the season which will include our standard fare of festivals that celebrate everything Ohio grown. Planning, propagating and growing is a year round activity at the Market, too.

On another note, Saturday, February 20th we’ll once again host the Fiery Foods Festival. It’s the best way ever to beat the winter blues.

Also, check out our website for the latest news on the North Market School of Cooking. With leadership from Columbus Dispatch Food Editor, Robin Davis, we have an impressive line-up of classes and demonstrations from some of the finest chefs in town.

Keep warm and keep our growers in your thoughts. Theirs is a noble profession and they are among the hardest working people you’ll ever meet.

Dave

Gravlax
• 2 pounds fresh salmon, center cut from The Fish Guys
• 1 large bunch of dill, plus 1/4 cup chopped dill for serving
• 1 cup kosher salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons white peppercorns, crushed
• 1 tablespoon whole fennel seeds
• Zest of 2 lemons
• Pumpernickel bread, for serving
• Mustard Sauce

Directions:
Cut the salmon in half crosswise and place half the fish skin side down in a deep dish. Wash and shake dry the dill and place it on the fish. Combine the salt, sugar, lemon zest, crushed peppercorns, and fennel seeds in a small bowl. Vigorously mix the dry ingredients to “bruise” the lemon zest and sprinkle it evenly over the piece of fish. Place the other half of salmon over the dill, skin side up. Tightly wrap the salmon in plastic wrap. Place a smaller pan on top of the plastic wrap and weight it with some heavy cans. Refrigerate the salmon for at least 2 and up to 3 days, turning it every 12 hours and basting it with the liquid that collects.
Lay each piece of salmon flat on a cutting board, remove the bunch of dill, and sprinkle the top with chopped dill. With a long thin slicing knife, slice the salmon in long thin slices as you would for smoked salmon. Serve with dark pumpernickel bread and a mustard sauce of your choice. You can also serve with chopped red onion and capers, if desired.