NEWS

North Union Farmers Market brings the “Earth to U”

BY JEREMY BADER

Fresh fruits, vegetables, breads, meats, pastas, oils, flowers and prepared foods were as abundant as the warm sunshine that lit up the market stalls set up on Euclid Ave. between East 18th and East 19th streets.

The North Union Farmers Market opened their latest venture in front of the College of Law on campus last Thursday. Bringing the farmers market to CSU is the brainchild of rooftop garden co-creators Erin Huber and LeeAnn Westfall.

By 8 a.m. the first trucks full of fresh-picked produce were pulling up to unload their product. The farmers were slow in getting their stalls set up as customers were buying fruits and vegetables right off the trucks. This early demand previewed the overwhelming success the first Cleveland State North Union Farmers Market would enjoy.

The North Union Farmers Market is a collective of farmers, artisans and food purveyors who sell authentic, locally grown or produced food. They operate nine farmers markets in Northeast Ohio, CSU’s location being the newest. The union certifies every farmer, guaranteeing that the entire product sold by the market is fresh and local. Every vendor that sells produce here grows it on their own farm, no middlemen involved whatsoever.

Bill Smith has owned Smith’s Fruit Farm for over 40 years. His main business is peaches and his stand is overflowing with both peaches and apples. The peaches for sale were picked only the day before by his neighbor Pat and his small staff.

Both Bill and Pat are retired schoolteachers who love working on the farm. They grow fruits ranging from peaches, apples and blueberries to vegetables like corn and tomatoes. Pat professes her love for the tranquility of harvesting early in the morning. “Harvest time peaches have such a warm, wonderful feel,” she explains.

As the noon lunch hour approached the rhythm of a steel drum could be heard over the buzz of the growing crowd. Every stall became a flurry of activity as students, staff and local business people intermixed into a lively shopping experience. Particularly popular were the prepared food selections ranging from veggie burgers to pulled pork sandwiches. Some lines stretched long and many vendors began to run out of their products.

The popularity of the market ranged from farmers to local entrepreneurs alike. Breadsmith of Lakewood owner Sabina Kretzschmar was a little surprised the “big hit” the market was as she ran out of bread. William Beckenbach, Executive Director of the Quadrangle, elected to have a business lunch meeting at the market instead of indoors. Beckenbach was impressed with the life the market and other recent CSU initiatives have brought to the local community. CSU senior, Courtney Dorsey stopped by to pick up fresh veggies. She noted how convenient the market is with her apartment only a few blocks away. She even picked up some extra green beans and zucchini for her mother, saving her a trip to the store.

Associate Professor of Biology Julie Wolin conducted a random survey of the people at the marketplace. Her sample of 421 people showed that about 66 percent of the people attending were CSU related. Approximately 31 percent were from local businesses or organizations, and 4 percent were local residents.

Working with the Campus Sustainability Coalition and the Student Environmental Movement what normally takes one to two years was brought about in only three months. Cooperation between CSU and local businesses was key, commented Huber. They are both excited about the market and other green initiatives coming to CSU in the next two years. Westfall explains that this is only one piece of a $42.8 million, two-year initiative by the university to create a more sustainable campus.

The Cleveland State North Union Farmer’s Market is held Thursdays 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 22.