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,

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

Dear North Market Shopper, 

The Market is blessed with hundreds of unique, fresh and local choices. During the month of December and all through the holidays we tend to focus on our favorites. Well, here are a few of mine:

1. Blackstrap Praline Ice Cream from Jeni. Maybe the best ever. While it lasts. When it’s gone, I’ll “settle” for Brown Butter Almond Brittle.
2. Bacon from David and Cheryl at Bluescreek Farm Meats. Not just bacon, this is BACON!
3. A gorgeous piece of the freshest salmon from The Fish Guys and my Gravlax recipe for the easiest, most elegant holiday taste ever.
4. A blue cheese recommendation from Mike at Curds & Whey. He’s got a million of them.
5. A warm bowl of Pho and Thang’s smile on a cold winter’s day from Lac Viet Market.
6. Wayward Seed’s root veggies from The Greener Grocer.
7. A spatchcocked and brined Bowman and Landes Turkey from North Market Poultry and Game.
8. Real Polish Kielbasa from Hania’s Olde World Cuisine.
9. Cheese corn from Pam and memories of Michigan Avenue in Chicago.
10. A holiday beer from Grapes of Mirth. Dave’s got plenty to choose from.
11. Amy Lozier’s Rustic French Bread from Omega Artisan Baking (with some of that blue cheese from Curds & Whey).
12. An incredibly versatile Microplaner from North Market Cookware.

There’s nowhere in Columbus where you can find all of these incredible tastes. And there’s nowhere in town where the passion for great food burns any hotter than North Market.

Here’s hoping that you have a Happy Holiday season and that these tastes add some fun to this time of the year.

Happy Holidays,

Dave Wible

Above any other time of the year, the holidays are most special. As we approach Thanksgiving and all the special days coming in December here are some important things to think about. 

Supporting local businesses and local economies has never been more important. When you buy, you vote with your dollars. When you buy at North Market you support the great local businesses and local families that own them.

Eat locally for all the right reasons, but eat locally because it tastes better. Locally grown and locally raised food is right for the season. It’s fresher, more nutritious, better for the environment, but importantly it’s food of the moment. Seasonal food and local food simply taste better than food that travels from half way around the globe.

Try Ohio wines and locally brewed beers. They’re darn good and might even taste better because you’re supporting a greater cause. Pair them with some Ohio cheeses for a delightful presentation.

Make the holiday table or occasion special with a local theme. A trip to the North Market enables you to prepare an event with a theme that’s never been more appropriate.

Everything about food today is local and everything about North Market supports the idea that supporting local businesses can make for the most special of holidays. Our food comes from farms not factories and our businesses are owned by our neighbors.

This holiday season give your community the biggest gift of all by supporting the 35 family owned and operated businesses here at North Market.

Happy Holidays,

David Wible
Executive Director

Dear North Market Shopper,

On Saturday, October 3rd, we will, once again, host our annual Harvest Festival.  Another growing season is drawing to a close and each year we celebrate the hard work of our community of growers with a festival that celebrates the bounty of Ohio agriculture.  It’s everything fresh and everything local.

This year’s Harvest Festival is adding a couple new twists that will place even greater focus on eating locally.

Thanks to the efforts of Local Matters, the Harvest Festival will serve at the kick-off to Local Foods Week.  Many of you know Local Matters through The Greener Grocer here at the Market.  The Greener Grocer is our local farmstand in the city as they have partnered with many, many local growers to provide farm fresh Ohio produce all week long.  In just a little more than a year The Greener Grocer has become the premier destination for everything local.

At the Harvest Festival, Local Matters, will pair five local chefs with five North Market growers to highlight what’s fresh and delicious.  For those of you who are a bit more ambitious, Hills Market and North Market are hosting our first-ever Market to Market bicycle ride.  Head to www.northmarket.com for more information.  On Wednesday, Local Matters leader, Michael Jones and Dispatch Food Editor, Robin Davis will collaborate for an evening of cooking, recipes and local knowledge.  The class will be held here at the Market and tickets are available by calling 463-9664 or clicking here>

Those are just a few of the activities Local Matters has on tap for the week.  To learn more about Local Foods Week go to www.local-matters.org.  There you can learn more about this wonderful organization that works tirelessly to make sure that everyone has equal access to local, healthy and sustainably grown food.  While you’re there think about becoming one of the 1,000 Friends of Local Matters. 

See you at the Harvest Festival.

Dave Wible

Dear North Market Shopper, 

There’s a local angle to everything these days. As informed consumers participate in the marketplace, local foods, local businesses and local economies now occupy an ever-important place in our community.

This weekend we’re putting a fun twist on local by hosting eight local microbreweries at our 4th Annual Columbus Microbrew Festival. Craft brewing is hot as local brewmasters impart their special touch on a wide variety or beer and ale. Not unlike winemakers, brewmasters use their knowledge, passion and creativity to create unique and tasty brews.

True to the North Market experience where you can visit with business owners, growers and artisans, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the craft brewers and learn more about their trade.

As you learn about locally produced beers, you’ll also be learning about a new way to support another category of locally produced products. It’s another way we can be proud of the abundant creative energy we have in our city.

In addition to our eight craft brewers, we’ll have our full complement of growers on Saturday, a Market full of the finest local food in town and a dozen Ohio Proud vendors on Sunday.

The North Market. More than 35 local businesses, more than 30 local farms and this Friday and Saturday, 8 craft brewers, 12 Ohio Proud vendors on Sunday…our selection is tremendous, the freshness is unsurpassed and as always, the advice is free.

Looking forward to seeing you here.

David Wible
Executive Director

Dear North Market Shopper, 

I’m not sure that I’ve ever experienced a time where food has been in sharper focus than it is today.

This summer two very different, but very powerful films have captured our attention. In the mainstream, Julie and Julia is proving to be one of the year’s biggest hits. Julie and Julia has rocketed Julia Child’s classic cookbooks to the top of all the best sellers lists.

Food, Inc., a film from the creators of The Omnivore’s Dilemma and In Defense of Food, focuses on the politics of food. It’s a compelling look at the “what, why and how” we eat.

Both films are well worth your time. Educational, entertaining and inspiring. But more importantly, film reflects our culture and our mood. And it seems right now, food is on our minds.

Everywhere there are stories about eating better, fresher, more healthful food. Public school systems are looking at how we can feed our children with more nutritionally valuable lunches. Groups like Slow Food are gaining more interest and popularity. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is flourishing. All because we want better food on our tables.

At North Market we’re all about fresh, local, healthful food. We’ve been that way for more than 130 years. Here you’ll find the Smith family that humanely and naturally raises their own beef, pork, lamb and goat on their farm near Marysville. The Greener Grocer has become our local farmstand in the City with fresh locally grown produce all week long. Local cheeses, local poultry, local ice cream, artisan baked goods, high quality fresh ingredients and locally owned businesses are what we’re all about.

So this summer if you’ve found that you are having an ever-increasing awareness about the quality of what’s on your table, stop by the Market where you’ll not only find great food, you’ll get a heaping cupful of inspiration, as well.

Dave Wible

Dear North Market Shopper,

It’s that time of year again. Our Farmers Market is humming and this season our offerings will be better than ever. 

This year, eating locally, supporting local businesses and local economies has never been more meaningful.  

For more than 130 years North Market has been a hub of local food and local businesses all supporting a local economy.   And today things aren’t much different. 

Every Saturday from now until late October local growers will bring their finest offerings picked fresh from the field.  There’s nothing fresher, better tasting, more nutritious or more local anywhere.

In the Market House our community of 33 locally owned and operated businesses thrive with the highest quality ingredients and prepared selections.  Shop the Market and you’ll find plenty of local food provided by local businesses supporting our local economy.

 It must be a good formula; we’ve been at it since 1876.

 Hope to see you at the Market.

 Dave Wible

PS.  Don’t miss our newest merchant and his fabulous waffles and crepes.  Jean-François Flechet and his new business, Taste of Belgium is located at the south end of the Market between Omega Artisan Baking and Pam’s Popcorn.