A Note From Dave

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.
Read the rest of Dave's note on our blog here>

Fiery Foods Festival on February 20th

Spring seems so distant, but the North Market is here to help you melt away the winter blues and blahs with our 7th annual Fiery Foods Festival on Saturday, February 20th. Boasting everything from tropical entertainment to tongue-tingling foods the Fiery Foods Festival will put you in a sunny frame of mind!

Want to get directly in on the fiery foods action? Customers can take a shot at fame and fortune (OK, infamy and North Market gift certificates) in a number of contests. There’s the tried and true Amateur Salsa Contest. If you’ve got a good mix of chunky or pureed fruit or vegetable salsa, put it to the test against other homemade salsa makers. Or maybe you like to play with fire? For you we have the Amateur Hot Sauce Contest. He/she with the supreme salsa or hot sauce concocting skills will take home $100 in North Market and CaJohn’s Flavor & Fire gift certificates.

Find a full schedule for the Fiery Foods Festival here>

Wondering what to get your sweet Valentine?

Our top 10 suggestions in no particular order:

A gorgeous hand-tied bouquet from Market Blooms.
A box of scrumptions truffles from Pure Imagination Chocolatier.
A bottle of wine, a loaf of bread, a chunk of cheese + you.
A cherry red Le Creuset Dutch Oven from North Market Cookware.
A trio of Sweet Tooth, Chocolate Caramel and Raspberry Chocolate popcorn from Pam's Market Popcorn.
Waffles for breakfast in bed from Taste of Belgium.
Anything from the Bake Shop Collection at Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams.
Heart-shaped, chocolate covered brownies from Omega Artisan Baking.
A Dine Originals Chef Series Class for two.
North Market Gift Certificates that are redeemable with any of our merchants and farmers!

Upcoming School of Cooking Classes

Makin' Bacon with Wayward Seed Farm on Thursday, February 18

A rare opportunity to learn from one of Central Ohio’s most talented farmers: Adam Welly of The Wayward Seed Farm. The farm is renowned for its rare heirloom and heritage vegetables, but it has also garnered a bit of a cult following among its CSA members for Adam’s bacon and other charcuterie. Learn more and buy tickets here>

Seafood Suppers on Sunday, March 7 from 1 to 3 p.m.

This class is sure to entice those who love seafood with a fantastic menu that includes: Roasted Fish with Guacamole, Skewered Shrimp with Saffron Pistachio Rice, Grilled Swordfish with Corn Salsa and Fish Tacos with Spicy Sauce. Tickets just $50, sign up today here>

Happy 20th Birthday Market Blooms!

Believe it or not 20 years ago Saturday a somewhat "green" Marty McGreevy opened her venerable flower stall, Market Blooms, in the old Quonset hut. “It was the day before Valentine’s Day and the customers literally met me at the door, followed me into the Market and helped me unpack the boxes!” she recalls. For the next two days she did nothing but frantically fill orders and hand tie her signature bouquets for customers to bequeath upon their sweethearts. She’s come a long way from that first day flying solo on the biggest floral holiday of the year. Stop by Market Blooms and wish Marty McGreevy, Bob Mangia and the rest of the staff a Happy 20th Birthday!