Dear North Market Shopper,

Without question, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. It’s a time when those who are closest come together for a true sharing of the spirit.

We celebrate with family and friends, those who are often closest to us.

With the feast as a focus, why not let our “family,” the family of North Market merchants, make your Thanksgiving the best ever?

Jen and Collin at The Barrel and Bottle have the perfect craft beers and holiday wines.

Annemarie and Jerry at North Market Poultry and Game offer fresh free-range turkey, the best ever.

Cindy and Ben at North Market Spices have a wide array of special seasonings and a brining blend that can take your meal to the next level.

Colleen and Michael at The Greener Grocer offer fresh, local produce for the greatest complementary side dishes.

“Cheese-Mike” offers Columbus the best selection of the finest cheeses anywhere at Curds & Whey.

Read the rest of Dave’s note here⇒

Farmers’ Market update for November 12

Participating Farms:

Blossom Acres Produce  I will have baked goods, candy onions, cilantro, collard greens, garlic,  lettuce, mizuna, mustard greens, parsley, potatoes, radishes, red beets, spinach, Swiss chard, turnips and whole grain baked goods.

Ehmann & Sons Greenhouse  We will have beets, cauliflower, greens, peppers and turnips.

Persinger Farm  This week I will have beets, cabbage, winter squash, gourds, sweet potatoes, pumpkins and turnips.

Rhoads Farm Market We will have tomatoes, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, eggplant, peppers, beets and turnips. Soon we will preview our cut and live Christmas trees for sale at North Market. 

Rock Dove Farm  We should have carrots, escarole, fennel, kale, lemon mint, lettuce, mint, parsley, radicchio, sage, scallions, Swiss chard and turnips.

Thomas Family Orchard We will have thirteen varieties of apples and apple cider!

Toad Hill Farm   I will have arugula, lettuce mix, head lettuce, mustard, Asian stir fry mix, kale, parsley, potatoes (French fingerling, carola and blossom), winter squash (acorn, kabocha, butternut, delicata, dumpling), eggplant, Tatsoi, Mizuna, Senposai (all three are mild west Asian greens in the cabbage/bok choi family and can be eaten raw or used in soup or light cooking/brazing), ornamental corn and turnips.

Wayward Seed Farm We’ll have bok choi, broccoli, certified organic greens, leeks, sweet potatoes, winter squash, herbs and radishes. Come visit us in our new location at the north end of the pavilion! 

Bosca Leather Sale

November 18-27 in the Dispatch Kitchen

A year-end sample sale by luxury Bosca Leather Company from Springfield, Ohio. This annual event will be held in the Columbus Dispatch Kitchen on the second floor of the North Market and open during regular Market hours. Find high quality unique leather items at discounted prices including: wallets, purses, gloves, portfolios, brief cases, belts, coats, luggage, key rings and more!

A Note From Dave

Dear North Market Shopper

I read an interesting story the other day about shopping at markets such as ours. The story talked about the consumer’s experience when they shopped at a grocery store versus a public market/farmers market.

Shoppers who shop at their local grocery, it said, are simply attempting to meet a need for food stuffs and products. On the other hand, shoppers who patronize places like North Market “are part of the process.”

What does it all mean? Those who shop at North Market are participating in a community building activity. They are supporting local businesses, they are assisting local economies and they are contributing to a greater good. In a recent survey more than 85% of our shoppers said that shopping at North Market adds value to our community.

Read the rest of Dave’s note online here⇒ 

Farmers’ Market update for August 6

Anderson Orchard   I’ll have sunflowers, gladiolus, fig plants, mixed flowers and bouquets, papaya plants, tomatoes and zinnias.

Blossom Acres Produce  I will have naturally grown cherry tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, pickles, potatoes and squash.

Bridgman Farm I’ll have cherry tomatoes, eggplant, summer squash, cucumbers and peppers.

Ehmann & Sons Greenhouse  Annuals, perennials, hanging baskets and radishes.

Honeyrun Farm  This week we will have black locust honey and summer and fall honey stix.

K & R Garden Fresh Produce We will be bringing basil, cucumbers, eggplant, flowers,  Malabar spinach, okra, onions, hot and sweet peppers and squash.

Oakvale Farmstead Cheese We will be bringing our family’s Farmstead Gouda washed in Barley’s Russian Stout. 

Ohio Farm Direct  We’ll be bringing our whole milk cheeses including cheddar, mozzarella, baby swiss, pepper jack, garlic and herb, tomato basil pinenut and lemon zest. Plus, blueberry and strawberry drinkable yogurt and soft serve vanilla ice cream.

Oink Moo Cluck Farms  We will be bringing our beef, pork and chicken.

Persinger Farm This week I will have beets, broccoli, cabbage, greens, okra, onions, peppers, radishes, tomatoes, zucchini and green beans.

Quiver Full Farm  We plan to bring blackberries, heirloom tomatoes, popcorn, potatoes, granola, pancake mix, honey, whole wheat flour, eggs, and cornmeal.

Rhoads Farm Market We’ll be bringing CANTALOUPE!, blackberries, peaches, sweet corn, tomatoes, green beans, eggplant, zucchini and peppers. You are invited to visit www.rhoadsfarminc.com and place any advance orders.

Rock Dove Farm  We should have parsley, beets, radishes, basil, mint, scallions, and baby leeks.

Shady Brook Farm We will have broccoli, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and baked goods.

Somerset Greenhouse  I will have fresh herbs including BASIL, cherry tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, garlic, hot peppers, peppers and five types of zucchini. 

Summer Thyme Farm  This Saturday we will be bringing a selection of fresh herbs (BASIL!), potted herb planters, perennial sedums, hens and chicks, succulents, succulent planters and an assortment of fresh annual planters.

Thomas Family Orchard We will have peaches and Gingergold plus four additional varieties of apples.

Toad Hill Farm   I will have lettuce mix, head lettuce, chard, cucumbers, miniature white cucumbers, patty pan squash, summer squash, zucchini, parsley, basil and five varieties of eggplant.

Toby Run Growers  Oyster and Shiitake mushrooms.

Wayward Seed Farm We’ll have greens, herbs, peppers and tomatoes.

Wishwell Farms Produce  We will have sweet corn! As well as tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, zucchini, and cabbage.

North Market School of Cooking Fall Series Schedule

We are excited to announce the fall schedule for the North Market School of Cooking and Chef Series classes. Classes are held in the Dispatch Kitchen on the second floor of the North Market. Classes are $35 per person unless otherwise noted.

Our  School of Cooking classes include some great menus for entertaining including the Autumn Dinner for Casual Entertaining on September 18, Holiday Hors D’oeuvres on October 23 and Crowd Pleasing Vegetable Side Dishes on November 13.

Our Chef Series includes chefs from all of your favorite restaurants including: Alana’s Food & Wine, Barcelona, Latitude 41, The Refectory and The Worthington Inn.

New to this series are the Beer and Cheese and Wine and Cheese pairing classes that are a collaboration between Curds and Whey and The Barrel and Bottle. The pairings classes are specially priced at only $20 per ticket.

For the full fall class schedule and to buy tickets click here⇒

Artisan Sunday

Columbus’ creative class of artisans and crafters converges on the farmers’ market on the first and third Sundays from May through October peddling their handmade wares. To apply for Artisan Sundays 2012 please send an email to info@northmarket.com to be added to the application mailing list.

Sunday, August 7 from 12-5PM
Music by Ira Chaiffetz, banjo, from 12-2PM
Music by The Shaw Brothers from 2-4PM
For a list of participating vendors and their handmade goods click here⇒

A Note From Dave

Dear North Market Shopper,

This Market is a wonderful community of 35 diverse businesses that create a singularly unique and high quality shopping experience.

Oftentimes, it’s only a handful of businesses that get a majority of the credit and coverage, but it’s the entire community that makes us great.

Take for instance, Mozart’s North Market Bakery. Mozart’s is a true European pastry shop with a long-standing tenure in both Clintonville and the North Market. Owner, Anand Saha, is not only a great baker, but he’s a committed community and neighborhood partner. The bakery consistently garners recognition in the local media and is often a “Best of” winner in many polls. Every day, the cases at Mozart’s are full of gorgeous pastries and we’ve just learned that they have added handmade ice cream to their lineup. If you’ve never given them a try, it’s time you did.

Read the rest of Dave’s note here⇒
  

Farmers’ Market update for June 11

Anderson Orchard I’ll primarily have peonies.

Blossom Acres Produce  I will have heirloom tomatoes, red Romaine lettuce and spinach.

Ehmann & Sons Greenhouse  Annuals, perennials and hanging baskets.

Folck Family Farm  We’ve got new peas, honey, the last of the strawberries and pork sausage will be on special: buy 2 get one free. Cindy makes jam in our farm kitchen and we’ll have red raspberry, black raspberry, blackberry and mixed berry.

Honeyrun Farm  This week we will have fresh bee pollen, summer and fall honey, beeswax candles, handcrafted soap and miniature sunflowers.

Ohio Farm Direct  We’ll be bringing our whole milk cheeses including cheddar, mozzarella, baby swiss, pepper jack, garlic and herb, tomato basil pinenut and lemon zest. Plus, drinkable yogurt and soft serve ice cream.

Oink Moo Cluck Farms  We will be bringing our beef, pork and chicken.

Rock Dove Farm  We will have salad mix, head lettuce, scallions, possibly turnips (though not likely), possibly broccoli and we’re placing even odds on arugula.

Rhoads Farm Market  The first of our red raspberries will be available, quantity will be limited. We will also have yellow squash, lettuce and zucchini. You are invited to visit www.rhoadsfarminc.com and place any advance orders.

Somerset Greenhouse  It’s not too late for to plant herbs, perennials, heirloom tomatoes, or annuals for pots and gardens. We will also be bringing some beautiful fresh herbs!

Summer Thyme Farm  This week we will be bringing a great selection of potted herbs and herb gardens. Also in the mix will be perennial sedums, succulents, mosses, hens and chicks in pots and in our hand made hypa tufa containers. We will also have fresh Zahara zinnias in 6 packs to brighten up your flower beds. See you Saturday!

Toad Hill Farm   I will have arugula, lettuce and spinach.

Toby Run Growers  Oyster and Shiitake mushrooms.

Wishwell Farms Produce  We will have tomatoes, asparagus, strawberries, lettuce and spinach.  

*Note: the Park Street Festival is this weekend. Access to the market from the west side will be restricted from Goodale Street to Spruce Street beginning Friday morning through noon on Sunday. Vine Street will remain open.

Save the Date!

For the North Market Food & Ohio Wine Festival Presented by PNC. July 8-10 at the North Market.

The following wineries from around Ohio will offer select wines by the taste (50 cents to $2.00 each), glass, bottle and case: Brothers’ Drake Meadery, Columbus; Chalet Debonne Vineyard, Madison; Ferrante Winery, Geneva; Firelands Winery, Sandusky; Henke Winery, Cincinnati; Laurello Vineyards, Geneva; Maize Valley Winery, Hartville; Markko Vineyard, Conneaut; Meranda-Nixon Winery, Ripley; Mon Ami Winery, Port Clinton; Raven’s Glenn Winery, West Lafayette; Soine Vineyards, Powell; St. Joseph Vineyards, Thompson; Stoney Ridge Winery, Bryan; Troutman Vineyards, Wooster; The Winery at Wolf Creek, Norton; Valley Vineyards, Morrow; Viking Vineyard, Kent and Wyandotte Winery, Columbus.

The North Market Food & Ohio Wine Festival Presented by PNC is sponsored by PNC Bank, Ohio Grape Industries, Master Clean, Columbus Alive, Columbus Crave, Ohio Magazine and YELP.

A Note From Dave

As the days grow warmer and longer, it’s Farmers Market time!

Back in the ‘80’s we were one of the pioneers in the Farmers Market trade. The old Quonset Hut was home to some of our community’s first growers selling their fruits and vegetables directly to their customers on Saturday mornings.

Since then, the growth in Farmers Markets has been vigorous. The Columbus metropolitan area is now home to more than 2 dozen markets. There is now, more opportunity than ever to shop at a Farmers Market.

As demand has grown and new markets have opened, it is more important than ever to know your grower.

Every participant in the North Market Farmers Market sells what they grow. That may seem logical, intuitive, obvious, and you might even say, what’s the big deal? The big deal is that at other places the person you buy from may not have been the person that grew your food.

Why is that important? It is clear that when a shopper buys at a Farmers Market, there is an implied message that the seller has grown the goods. When a shopper buys at a Farmers Market they are looking for a bond with their grower. They want to know what was grown, how it was grown and what is its’ provenance. It’s important to our shoppers. 

Read the rest of Dave’s note here⇒ 

Market to Market Ride on Saturday

Join the North Market and The Hills Market for the fourth edition of the Market to Market bicycle adventure! Market to Market will take place on Saturday, May 7. 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. Registration can be made online here⇒

Farmers Market Welcomes Ohio Proud Members this Weekend

Farmers and Ohio Proud vendors at the North Market this weekend include: Aimee’s Blue Ribbon Spices, Anderson Orchard, Ben’s Mustard, Combs Fresh Herbs, Ehmann & Sons Greenhouse, Folck Family Farm, Freshwater Farms, Heartland Herbs, Local Matters, Ohio Farm Direct, Oink Moo Cluck Farm, Rhoads Farm Market, Roger’s Honey, Silver Bridge Coffee Company, Somerset Greenhouse,  Snowville Creamery, Steven’s Bakery, Summer Thyme Farm, Swisher Creek Farm, Toad Hill Farm, Valley View Woodlands, Wishwell Farms and Young’s Jersey Dairy.

North Market Apron Gala

It’s time to summon up your creative side and assemble, abscond with or otherwise acquire an apron for the gastronomically famous North Market Apron Gala. We’re not apron authorities, but through the years we’ve witnessed waist-tied attire that runs the gamut from naughty to nice, vintage to topical, unbiased to political and even some that resembled colorful creatures (the late, great Fred Holdridge and his flamingo, for instance). One of the nicer things about wearing an apron to the affair (aside from the prizes to be won) is that it nicely camouflages any inflated midsections that may arise from the fabulous feasting to be done. So get ready to tie one on at the 15th annual fundraiser for the North Market Development Authority. The Apron Gala will take place on Saturday, May 21 from 7 – 10 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person and available at the door on the day of the event and online here ⇒

Local Brews & Local Foods

Spend some happy hours on the patio at the North Market on the last Wednesday of the month. This month it’s Wednesday, May 25 from 4-7PM.

Grab a bite to eat from your favorite North Market merchant or check out
May’s featured local food: Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches from the Jeni’s Ice Creams Bajaj!

Grab a cold Summer Teeth beer from Columbus Brewing Company and enjoy the music by Angela Perley.

Red Cross Blood Drive

It’s good to give. Especially when your donation does as much good as giving blood does. Our next blood drive will be held on Saturday, May 28 in the Dispatch Kitchen at the North Market. Appointments are available every 15 minutes from 9AM-3PM (with a break for lunch from 12-1PM). To schedule your appointment please email your name, preferred appointment time, date of birth, cell number and blood type (if you know it) to info@northmarket.com. 

A Note From Dave

Dear North Market Shoppers

On March 24th Columbus Alive published their annual “Best of Columbus” issue. It’s a compilation of results from nearly 17,000 online voters and covers a wide array of Columbus interests and attractions.

Deep into the story on page 48, next to the fold was the winner of the “BEST LOCAL FOOD MARKET” category. We’re proud to say that when the votes were cast, Columbus rated us the best.

Here are just a few of the comments and quotes from the story:

“…one of the first places proud Columbusites take their visiting foodie friends to impress them with our city’s shopping and culinary sophistication.”

“…world-class ice creams (Jeni’s), breads (Omega), cheeses (Curds & Whey)”

“…this wonderful place has it all.”

Well, we are “proud” of our Market and we hope our offerings and place in the community make you proud, too. This is truly a tremendous public market.

Read the rest of Dave’s note online here⇒ 

Spring Art Exhibit ~ Ohio Watercolors by Jim Siemer

During the month of April, Jim Siemer will usher in spring with an exhibit of his Ohio Watercolors. Jim is delighted to exhibit his paintings at North Market because it is his favorite destination in Columbus. Jim states, “When I enter North Market’s doors I am embraced by a cornucopia of wonderful smells, tastes and sites. I imagine that I have drifted into a food paradise as I am swept along its aisles from one food Mecca to another.”

North Market inspires Jim to create art and last spring he painted a watercolor titled “North Market in Spring.” On April 9th, he will be unveiling a new watercolor titled “You are never too old to give your love flowers.” This watercolor was inspired by observing an older gentleman purchasing yellow roses at Market Blooms, North Market’s wonderful flower and card shop.

Read more about  Jim Siemer and his art here⇒

Farmers Market Opens April 30

With the arrival of Spring we can happily announce that our farmers will begin returning with their fresh, local, grown on their farms and in their gardens produce, plants and products!

We’ll start slow at first with Combs Fresh Herbs, Ehmann & Sons Greenhouse, Folck Family Farm,Ohio Farm Direct, Oink Moo Cluck Farm,
Somerset Greenhouse, Summer Thyme Farm, Toad Hill Farm and Wishwell Farms Produce making an appearance on April 30. As the weather (and the ground) heats up attendance will grow and by mid-summer we’ll have a full pavilion of the farmers that you have come to know and trust to bring the best Ohio produce home to your families.
 

Stop by and say “Hi!” to the new kids on the block

There’s an infusion of vibrant new businesses in the southeast corner of the Market. The next time you are meandering about be sure to check in on our trio of outstanding new merchants. At The Barrel and Bottle Jen Burton and Collin Castore have an amazing selection of beer and wine and they are eager to help you choose the perfect potion for your occasion….even if that occasion is simply sitting on your porch! Gary Robinette and Brooke Howell-Robinette are crafting creative cornbread crust pizzas over in the corner at Clever Crow Pizza. Their unique compositions and home-cured, smoked and pickled toppings have created a cult following that includes the likes of Anthony Bourdain. Brittany Baum and Maria Battaglia Gentile are the dynamic duo of pretzel rolling  ladies that comprise brezel (pronounced bray-zuhl). From the traditional plain pretzel to seasonal flavors to a cinnamon sugar variety that’s perfect for breakfast, these pretzels are sure to become your “gotta have it” snack when you visit the market.

Better Earth Celebrates 20 Years at the North Market on May 1

On a beautiful spring morning, the 1st of May in 1991, Better Earth, Columbus’s first Ecology Store, cut its ribbon in front of a small gathering and opened its doors for business. Energized by the growing number of eco-conscious ‘soul mates’, Dareen Wearstler opened Better Earth as a store filled with Earth friendly products. Composters, water saving devices, small range solar products, compact fluorescents, organic gardening supplies, earth friendly cleaners, natural personal care, recycled paper goods and more were some of the products offered. Four months later, Better Earth expanded into the North Market selling an assortment of natural products, personal care, aromatherapy and anything else she could squeeze into a little space. Twenty years later, Better Earth has relocated, refocused, consolidated, and is still squeezing as much as possible into a little space in the North Market.
 

Read more about Better Earth’s anniversary here⇒

Market to Market on  May 7

It’s a fun bike trek with benefits! Fuel up with breakfast at either the North Market or The Hills Market on Saturday, May 7. Then hit the Olentangy River Greenway for the 13-mile ride to the market down the path. Once you arrive you can treat yourself to a scoop of Jeni’s Ice Cream and check out the special activities at both markets that day. At the North Market it’s the first day of the farmers’ market and there will be Ohio Proud vendors, live music and other entertainment. The bike corral will be set up to valet and watch over your ride at the North Market while you eat, shop, browse or just chill out. Pick up goody bags upon arrival and return to each of the markets with discount coupons worth up to $50 in value! For your $15 pre-registration ($20 at the door) you will receive a cool event t-shirt, breakfast, a scoop of Jeni’s, goody bags and chances to win awesome prizes!

Register now here⇒

North Market Artisan Sundays begin May 1

Columbus’ creative class of artisans and crafters converges on the farmers’ market on the first and third Sundays from May through October peddling their handmade wares. You can find fabulous handicrafts from locally concocted bath and body products to vintage inspired jewelry and everything in between.

For a full list of participating vendors on May 1 click here⇒

 

A Note From Dave

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 Clever Crow stand at 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.

Dave Wible
Executive Director
 

Artisan Sundays Application Deadline March 25

Artisan Sundays will resume on the first and third Sundays from May through October beginning Sunday, May 1. The deadline to apply for Artisan Sundays is Friday, March 25. To receive an application please email mmartineau@northmarket.com.

Jeni’s Ice Creams featured on Time.com

Writer Josh Ozersky visited Columbus last weekend for the Central Ohio Home and Garden Show where he presented “Secrets for cooking up the best burgers” to promote his new book, The Hamburger: A History. He also dropped by local favorite, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams prompting an article for Time.com titled “Can the Best Ice Cream in America be the Biggest?” (The photo at right accompanied the article. Copyright George Lange Photography).

We know that many of you have fun keeping tabs on the North Market through our website, blog, Facebook page and Twitter. But some of you appreciate the tactile distinction of printed pieces too.  With the help of some special friends, we’ve printed the North Market Holiday 2009 guide to celebrate the season and inform you of all the fresh, local goodness the North Market has to offer!

This edition includes holiday sentiments from David Wible, our Executive Director, plus gift guides, recipes, upcoming events, wine suggestions and a preview of the upcoming School of Cooking and Chef Series classes. Stop by your favorite merchant and pick one up!