Ahoy Maties! Supporting local foods, local merchants, Ohio purveyors and Ohio farmers (and having a little fun while doing it) is the mission at the heart of two Columbus markets, North Market and The Hills Market. The markets aligned to create the Market to Market ride in October of 2009 and have since sent more than 1,500 cyclists pedaling up and down the Olentangy River Greenway. On Saturday, October 8th they will host the fifth Market to Market ride. As it’s the Halloween season, the markets are using the October ride to encourage costumed cycling. All riders are encouraged to join “Team Pirate” or “Team Zombie” and dress commensurately while peddling their way up and down the bike path.

Participants have the option of starting at either market to fuel up with breakfast before embarking on the 13 mile adventure to the market at the other end of the bike trail. Each participating rider will be issued a passport at the beginning of their journey. Bikers can collect stamps along the way by visiting with local vendors and organizations set up along the path including B1 Bicycles, Columbus Alive, Columbus Crave, Columbus Food Adventures, The Fawcett Center, FLOW (Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed), Local Matters, Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association (OEFFA), The Olive Orchard, Open Heart Creatures, Pattycake Bakery, Seagull Bags, Slow Food, Small Business Beanstalk, WCBE, Wexner Center for the Arts and YELP Columbus.

 Nash Imaging Events will be stationed at The Hills Market with a photo booth to capture costumed riders and prizes will be awarded to five costumed cyclists based upon photos posted on the Market to Market facebook page. Participants who arrive at their destination market will be rewarded with a scoop of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream and a drawstring backpack filled with coupons and goodies from local foods purveyors worth a total value of $50 worth of savings and samples. All participating riders will also be entered into a random drawing for a messenger bag from Seagull Bags. Costumed riders are eligible for prizes including a gift certificate from B1 Bicycles, tickets to a Columbus Food Adventures Tour, Dine Originals Columbus certificates, gift certificates from the Small Business Beanstalk and a set of oils from The Olive Orchard.

But wait! There’s more! Both markets will be hosting activities to provide riders a bit of entertaining “distraction” during each leg of their cycling journey. The Hills Market will be offering “Ohio Market Day” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. along with cooking demos featuring heart healthy and gluten-free cooking presented by the Wexner Heritage Foundation. Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the Olentangy River Greenway, the North Market will be celebrating its annual Harvest Festival. Local Matters will join the Market’s seasonal farmers in the plaza with cooking demonstrations to celebrate the culmination of Local Foods Week. Jeni Britton-Bauer will host an ice cream making demonstration and book signing in the Dispatch Kitchen from 12-2 p.m. and abundant live entertainment by local musicians will add to the gaiety of that day.

Market to Market will take place on Saturday, October 8. Registration is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. The cost includes breakfast, a scoop of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream (at either location), an event t-shirt and a drawstring backpack filled with up to $50 worth of savings on Ohio foods from both markets. Breakfast will be served at both locations from 8- 10 a.m. to allow for riders to eat and set out on the trail at their leisure. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams will be available at both locations upon ride completion. Registration can be made online at northmarket.com or thehillsmarket.com by phone by calling 614-846-3220 (The Hills Market) or 614-463-9664 (North Market), or in person at either location beginning September 16. Participating organizations and sponsors include: The Hills Market, North Market, B1 Bicycles, Columbus Alive, Columbus Crave Magazine, Crimson Cup Coffee, Columbus Food Adventures, Dine Originals Columbus, The Fawcett Center, FLOW, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Local Matters, Nash Imaging, OEFFA, The Olive Orchard, Open Heart Creatures, Pattycake Bakery, Seagull Bags, Slow Food, Small Business Beanstalk, Snowville Creamery, WCBE: Central Ohio’s NPR Station, Wexner Center for the Arts and Yelp Columbus.

Market to Market Ride Kicks Off Local Matters Local Foods Week

Two of Columbus’ premier independent, locally-owned specialty foods markets, North Market and The Hills Market, are returning with what is now one of the most anticipated bicycling events of the season, Market to Market. We are proud to celebrate our third event on the anniversary of the inaugural Market to Market ride with the cycling adventure that was named the “Best Bike Ride for Foodies” in 2010 by Columbus Monthly. Join both markets on Saturday, October 2, as we kick-off Local Matters Local Foods Week in Columbus and celebrate the end of a great summer season with a cross-city local foods-centric bike ride, for amateurs and aficionados alike.

Participants have the option of starting at either market to fuel up with breakfast before embarking on the 13 mile adventure to the market at the other end of the bike trail. Each participating rider will be issued a local foods passport at the beginning of their journey. Bikers can collect stamps along the way by visiting with local vendors and organizations set up along the path including B1 Bicycles, Greenovate, Local Matters, Pattycake Bakery, Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association (OEFFA), Opera Columbus, Seagull Bags,Small Business Beanstalk,Wexner Center for the Arts and Wild Goose Creative. Participants who show completed passports at their destination market will be rewarded with a scoop of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream and a reusable bag filled with coupons and goodies from local foods purveyors. Those intrepid enough to bike back to their market of origin will receive a completely different bag of goodies, creating a total value of $50 worth of savings and samples. All participating riders will also be entered into a random drawing for prizes including a custom messenger bag created by local courier bag gurus Seagull Bags, tickets to the Local Matters Harvest Ball and a bonanza of gift certificates to local businesses provided by the Small Business Beanstalk.

Market to Market will take place on Saturday, October 2. Registration is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. The cost includes breakfast, a scoop of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream (at either location), an event t-shirt and reusable shopping bags from both locations filled with up to $50 worth of savings on Ohio foods. Breakfast will be served at both locations from 8- 10 a.m. to allow for riders to eat and set out on the trail at their leisure. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams will be available at both locations upon ride completion. Registration can be made online at northmarket.com or thehillsmarket.com by phone by calling 614-846-3220 (The Hills Market) or 614-463-9664 (North Market), or in person at either location beginning September 10.

Market to Market will take place in conjunction with The Hills Market’s Ohio Market Day and the North Market Harvest Festival. Ohio Market Day at the Hills Market is a free event from 10 a.m. to 2 pm. featuring the wares of Ohio’s best food producers. The North Market Harvest Festival is also a free event that celebrates the end of a great growing season in Ohio with fall produce and an abundance of baking contests.

Market to Market sponsors include: The Hills Market, North Market, Amanda Hills Spring Water, B1 Bicycles, CrimsonCup Coffee, Greenovate, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Local Matters, Pattycake Bakery, Seagull Bags, Small Business Beanstalk, Snowville Creamery, WCBE: Central Ohio’s NPR Station and Wexner Center for the Arts.

Local Matters is a Columbus-based not-for-profit organization that is taking a leadership role in answering the question of, “What does a healthy community look like through the lens of local food?” Local Matters is committed to sharing why local food connects us to the most important issues of our time with their 2nd Annual Local Foods Week from Saturday, October 2nd through Friday, October 8th. The week kicks-off on Saturday with the Market-to-Market bike ride and breakfast and concludes with a Harvest Ball on Friday night. During the week, the entire Columbus-area community is invited to add a little more delicious to their lives by competing in Local Matters “Eat Local Challenge” and win some fabulous prizes! For more information and a detailed schedule visit www.eatlocalohio.org.

The Hills Market is a locally-owned specialty grocer on the north end of Columbus, at the bottom of the Worthington Hills and the top of the Olentangy Bike Path. For 17 years, The Hills Market has provided the best of Ohio and beyond with high quality meat, seafood, produce, bakery, wine, beer and cheese departments, as well as more than 40 feet of in-house prepared foods, a delicatessen featuring custom sandwiches and pizza, full service catering and floral shops and a state liquor agency. The Hills Market is home to The Veranda, a seasonal outdoor lunch space, as well as special events including Pancake Breakfasts, Cooking Classes, Wine Tastings and the Salmon Roast.

In operation since 1876, the North Market is Columbus’ only true public market. More than 30 merchants offer a wide variety of fresh produce, meat, poultry, seafood, flowers and other specialty food items. The Market also provides an international selection of freshly prepared foods, distinctive gifts and personable service from owner/operators. The North Market is open daily and located steps away from the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Nationwide Arena.