OARDC Mid-Week Farmer's Market

Rachel Myers's picture

The OARDC Mid-Week Farmers Market, in its third week of existence, occurs on Wednesday afternoons from 3-6.  Beyond the basic goal of selling local produce to consumers, the market’s other objective is to be a learning experience for all involved.

Hopefully, through the availability of local foods, people will begin to get an idea about the seasonality of different food items. A need for further education about local produce has been made evident; for example, to test interest in the market, e-mails were sent out to OARDC staff members. The feedback was enthusiastic and abundant; however, it highlighted the gap in knowledge about the seasons and regions from which food grows. One reply emphasized excitement in having fresh pineapple available during the summer. Unfortunately, the Ohio growing season does not support the harvesting of pineapple, but it will feature items such as strawberries, rhubarb, and baked goods. As the weeks of the farmers market progress, consumers will learn what to expect as produce and when the variety changes.

One of the goals of the market is also to establish a greater connection between the OARDC staff and the Wooster community. To host the marketing of the produce in which the OARDC invests its research and time demonstrates the completion of the circle of the agricultural industry. Consumers are able to see the connection between the research the OARDC does and how it impacts what they buy. The setting also brings the OARDC affiliates in contact with community members and their needs and concerns.

Creating an understanding in the community about where food is grown could help enhance people’s understanding of the agricultural industry and get people excited about local produce. So, hopefully we’ll see you out there and start to see those strawberries flying off the shelves.

Rachel Myers

Callie Hopkins

Will Cary

Matheus De Nardo

ORIP Interns

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