Nothing illustrates our commitment to cooperative local business practices better than your favorite farmers market. Since 1934 Ohio Farmers Union members have been seeking ways to work together with other farmers and rural residents to build sustainable local markets for their goods. The explosion of interest in organic and locally grown food has created a vibrant market scene in Ohio. No matter where you live, you are probably not far from an opportunity to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, farm fresh eggs and other healthy offerings from local farmers. When you support your local farmers market you not only get the health and culinary benefits of fresh food, you keep your money in the local economy.
Know Your Farmer
As you shop the produce aisles of your favorite supermarket, do you ever wonder where does all this stuff come from? During the farmers market season the answer is: here. There’s nothing quite like buying a free-range chicken or the ingredients for a great salad from the farmer who produced them. If you ask an Ohio Farmers Union member what is the best way to know if something is really organic or was it really grown or produced locally they will tell you, “Know your farmer.”
OFU also supports the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Ohio Proud program. Ohio Proud helps promote Ohio agricultural products through marketing efforts identifying Ohio grown and produced products in your local grocery stores and other consumer education. Look for the Ohio Proud label affixed to products to know that you’re buying foodstuffs produced in your own state.
Find a Farmers Market Near You
Farmers markets have grown in popularity over the last several years. Whether you live in an urban setting or a rural area, we’re sure that you can find a local market near you. Some markets are open every day of the week and are associated with a particular farm. Other markets appear in town centers or suburban shopping centers once or twice a week for a few hours. The general types of farmers markets are Ohio Proud has worked with Ohio farmers and community groups to build an online database of Ohio’s markets. If you are a farmer or farm market owner you can also register a market that is not yet in the database.
To find a market:
To register a market:
