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Local Roots Market in Wooster, OH

February 15th, 2010

On Saturday I was able to head back to Local Roots Market in Wooster, OH. They closed for a few weeks over the holidays to do some improvements to their location. The cafe is finally open, serving coffee and some delicious food. They have a small kitchenette area where producers can cook samples of their products.

The most interesting change they made was to make the market more like a grocery store. The items have bar codes and you pay for all your items at a checkout lane, which is very convenient. At first I wasn’t sure if I would like this set-up, but it is very nice. They have all the meat and dairy in a few coolers. They’re on-line ordering system is up and running as well. This is a high-tech farmer’s market.

Many of the growers were attending a grower’s convention so there weren’t any fresh greens at the market, but they’ll be back next weekend. I was still able to fill 2 baskets with potatoes, onions, shallots, fresh mushrooms, whole grain flour, popcorn, dried beans, raw milk cheeses and a few baked goods. One of the things I was really happy to find was flour from organic grains grown locally. I bought a bag and I can’t wait to make something with it. But the best item I found was some organic free-trade coffee roasted by a local guy!

Year-round markets like this will encourage more people to eat locally. I think one of the main hurdles to local eating is the availability of food during the winter months, especially here in Ohio. If you don’t can or preserve food, it can be difficult to eat locally all year long. Year-round farmer’s markets will really help the local food movement.

I’m happy this market is doing so well because it will save me some time in the summer. I won’t have to can or freeze as much if I know there’s a local source for fresh vegetables during the long winter months. I will gladly support local growers and purchase fresh greens from them throughout the winter. I’m also happy to see that they offer non-food items. You can buy local wool yarn, roving, soap, lip balm, and even powdered dish washing detergent a local person makes!

Do you have any year-round farmer’s market in your area?

A big thanks to Mr Chiots for going with me and taking all these photos. And YES I wrote this post while watching the Olympics last night but ran out of time to put in photos, that’s why it’s posting later this morning :)

13 Comments to “Local Roots Market in Wooster, OH”
  1. Diane@Peaceful Acres on February 15, 2010 at 12:20 pm

    Sigh…no yr round markets here! But you did remind me AGAIN that I need to shell my black walnuts!
    .-= Diane@Peaceful Acres´s last blog ..Happy Heart Day! =-.

    Reply to Diane@Peaceful Acres's comment

  2. Sheila on February 15, 2010 at 2:07 pm

    OMG!!! This is wonderful. I wish we had one nearer to us. I probably won’t get a chance to visit this place until the Great Lakes Fiber Show in May. But this place in on my must see. Thanks for posting.
    Sheila

    Reply to Sheila's comment

  3. the inadvertent farmer on February 15, 2010 at 2:21 pm

    Alas our runs March – October and only food…no yarn or lip balm. What a great resource for you! Kim
    .-= the inadvertent farmer´s last blog ..Lost Jeans not Me Monday =-.

    Reply to the inadvertent farmer's comment

  4. Pampered Mom on February 15, 2010 at 4:26 pm

    Totally wish we had something like that here – it looks like a neat place to shop!
    .-= Pampered Mom´s last blog ..An Herbal Valentine, Part I =-.

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  5. A. Gifford on February 15, 2010 at 4:48 pm

    We in the Philly area have several year-round markets plus a winter buying club and various other ways to buy from area farmers. Local food has really taken off here and I feel so lucky!

    Reply to A. Gifford's comment

  6. Ria on February 15, 2010 at 5:59 pm

    We’ve got a year-round sort-of-farmer’s-market. There are some people there that will sell cheeses made in this province, and there are a few local handicrafters who frequently set up stalls, but the bulk of the produce comes from two company that most likely don’t get their stuff locally. There are a few meat and fish places there too, and although they’re small business and I support them, I’m not too sure how local their food is.

    It’ll be a good thing to ask them, though, when I go back. I love shopping at that market, because there are always so many delicious things to tempt me!
    .-= Ria´s last blog ..The flip side of simplicity =-.

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  7. JP on February 15, 2010 at 6:03 pm

    you’re lucky to have that so close, it’s a great idea :)
    .-= JP´s last blog ..Digital Pinhole =-.

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  8. Melissa on February 15, 2010 at 10:18 pm

    We have a local farmer’s market here in Montgomery, AL, but it isn’t as elaborate as yours. I’m not complaining – I’m happy to have one! I am able to get fresh goat’s milk cheeses, organic soaps, lotions, and candles, homemade baked goods, raw honey (when it’s warmer out), and all kinds of fresh produce and plants. I’d be lost without it. :) Melissa
    .-= Melissa´s last blog ..A Good Day to Crochet (and Frosty’s Demise) =-.

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  9. Maggie on February 16, 2010 at 1:54 pm

    Our local market is seasonal, even though we are further south than you. I just recently learned that there is a year-round market about an hour west of here- but the route between here and there can be a hard trip in winter (especially this winter) so we haven’t checked it out yet.
    .-= Maggie´s last blog ..Real Food Gardening Basics: Soil Testing =-.

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  10. Tammy on February 25, 2010 at 5:25 pm

    In southeast Ohio, we have a year round market in Marietta. It is @ the Washington County fairgrounds and is awesome. Great for getting fresh pork, chicken, buffalo, eggs, home made noodles, etc. as well as the crafts, balms, etc. Saturdays from 10-12:30 (?) not sure of winter hours, but they have a website. It’s either listed as River City Farmers Market or may be under marietta or washington county – not sure – but check times before traveling any distance in case of weather or short hours.

    Reply to Tammy's comment

    • Susy on February 25, 2010 at 5:31 pm

      Thanks for the tip for other Southern Ohio readers! What a great resource to have close by!

      Reply to Susy's comment

  11. Free Al's Beanery Coffee | Chiot's Run on October 22, 2010 at 9:51 am

    […] espresso beans. About 6 months ago we noticed some micro roasted coffee from Al’s Beanery at Local Roots Market in Wooster, OH. We bought a bag to give it a shot. We were amazed with the results, it made the […]

    Reply to Free Al’s Beanery Coffee | Chiot’s Run's comment

  12. Andrea on January 18, 2011 at 7:06 pm

    Looks nice! I am fortunate to live near Athens, OH where there is a year-round farmer’s market. I don’t go often, but hope to soon.

    Reply to Andrea's comment

About

This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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