CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Twenty-seven years ago, Donita Anderson arrived in Cleveland from Michigan with two kids, another on the way and a desire to not only feed their young stomachs -- but also their minds.
Anderson found access to freshly harvested, Ohio-grown food lacking -- unless you picked it yourself. That was great initially, but soon her kids grew disinterested, and that was that, she said.
So, the forward-thinking Anderson founded North Union Farmers Market. The thought behind this venture was to bring the farm to the people instead of the other way around.
Today, the North Union Farmers Market has nine different locations around Northeast Ohio, including at Shaker Square and Crocker Park in Westlake. The latter two remained open past September this year when the other seven closed for the season.
Purple cauliflower at the Weavers Truck Patch stand at Shaker Square. (Greg Burnett, special to cleveland.com)Greg Burnett, special to clevela
“When you eat locally, you are following good health,” Anderson said at the Shaker Square market.
For example, she said, “Pumpkin is good for your brain, and green vegetables help you stay warm in the winter.”
North Union goes out to the farms it sources from and certifies what they grow. They look at seed orders and ensure that farmers grow those selections. Many farmers come 100 miles to showcase their goods at the markets, though the average distance is about 40 miles.
The markets also offer locally sourced personal care items, like soaps, lotions and candles.
On a recent Saturday morning, Cheryl Layshock of Morning Song Gardens juggled customers while maintaining her eclectic mix of handmade candles and her soaps, with swirls of strawberry red and chocolate brown. She also offers a new liquid hand soap that uses natural ingredients that don’t strip your skin of natural oils.
Apples are the hottest item right now at Richardsons Farms in Medina. (Greg Burnett, special to cleveland.com)Greg Burnett, special to clevela
Across the walkway, Freeman Keim, 13, welcomed educating customers on the origins of the fresh produce at Weaver’s Truck Patch. The flawless array of veggies included yellow and purple cauliflower, freshly picked collard and kale greens, and rusty orange sweet potatoes waiting for a smattering of brown sugar and butter.
Throughout the market’s long walkway, eyes are met with a sea of bright green lettuces, seasonal fruits, pastries and a coffee stand.
Although the Thanksgiving turkeys have sold out at Shaker Square, there are a couple of stands, like Mill Gate Farms, that sell 100 percent grass-fed beef, in addition to registered Berkshire Pork (a brand of pork from Berkshire, England).
Both of the North Union Farmers Markets require cash payments. Market officials have implemented a system of selling tokens in increments of $5 for those without cash on hand.
The Shaker Square market is open from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Crocker Park, which is smaller than Shaker, is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Both outdoor markets are open through Dec. 18.
In January, the Shaker market will move indoors in the Van Aken shopping district. Crocker will move into an enclosure at the Crocker Park mall.
For more information, visit northunionfarmersmarket.org.
Generations of tradition
Ben Richardson grips a huge head of green cabbage inside the Richardson Farms country store in Medina. (Greg Burnett, special to cleveland.com)
Benjamin Richardson and his wife, Stephanie, are now the primary keepers of Richardson Farms in Medina.
The 45-acre establishment has served Medina and the surrounding area for six generations. What makes them unique from other markets is that they have a greenhouse that allows them to continue to grow specific products throughout the winter months.
Winter limits what can be grown, but there’s an abundance of the harvest to keep customers coming out all season long.
“Apples are our hottest item now,” Benjamin said while standing in the vast greenhouse adjacent to the family’s quaint country store. “We grow a variety of apples used for pies, sauces and eating.
“We still have stuff we harvested and stored and will sell throughout the year, like pumpkin pie pumpkins.”
The greenhouse -- probably larger than half a football field -- features row after row of many lettuce varieties. Some are bright green; others are hues of purple and red. Kale, cabbage, spinach, carrots and an array of herbs are scattered throughout.
Winter squashes can be found inside the store and meticulously placed outdoors. Lettuces are picked and packed in-house and sold in the store.
Over a dozen turkeys caged near the barn seemed a little nervous on a recent November afternoon.
Richardson Farms will offer an indoor farmers market through May 7. Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays in the greenhouse.
Richardson Farms is at 984 Lafayette Road in Medina. It’s country store is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Learn more at richardson-farms.com.
Here are some additional fall farmers markets that remain open:
• Haymaker Farms, Franklin Avenue under Haymaker Parkway bridge in downtown Kent. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 20 and 27. http://www.haymakermarket.com
• Coit Road Market, 15000 Woodworth Road, East Cleveland. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays year-round. www.coitmarket.org
• Purplebrown Farm Store, 1619 Mill St. W. in Peninsula. 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. You can read more about it here: https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2021/10/eat-the-rainbow-and-more-at-purplebrown-farm-store.html