If issues like food miles, growing methods and promoting local farms are important to you, Lakewood offers an edible trifecta for such sustainably minded urban folk.

Our progressive city is home to two weekly farmers markets and a well-developed network of community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs. Not to mention the many community garden plots and backyard gardens. Ripe veggies and fruits abound throughout our five square miles.

We may not live in California where the growing season never ends but we are profoundly lucky to have access to reasonable priced foods that can hit our dinner table within 24 hours of being picked – at least four or five months out of the year.

And if you’re not a snowbird, buy more than you can eat in the summer and freeze for the cold weather months when summer flavors are a distant, mouth-watering memory.

Here are the vitals on how to get the freshest, best tasting, locally grown foods this summer:

North Union Farmers Market – Lakewood

10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesdays

June 1-September 14^th

Located in front of Kauffman Park, behind Drug Mart on Arthur Avenue Extension just off of Detroit Road. 

This Lakewood Market, which opened in 1999, will have around 20 vendors, including some new farms, bakers and soap vendor this year, said Tiffany Leeper, manager of the Lakewood market.

“The Lakewood market has a great community feeling. Market shoppers have been supporting this market for a long time and you can tell that residents really treasure having it as part of their community,” she said. “It is a great destination for families with young children and many moms and dads will bring their kids to the market and then go play in the park.  We also see many seniors at this market.”

This year, the growing season will be a bit behind because of all the rain we've had.  Expect to see strawberries in abundance around mid-June – a crop that signals summer’s arrival. The market will have its greatest bounty of earthly goods around the end of August to early September. 

Important note: Customers can use their Ohio Direction Card at the market (this is for SNAP recipients:  http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/).  Customers can stop at the Market Information Tent and have their card swiped for tokens that they can use to buy any food items with any of the farmers.  This year, NUFM is participating in the EBT Incentive Program of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Food Policy Coalition.  If the customer spends $5 or more, they receive an additional $5 to spend at the market on EBT eligible items. The customer is eligible to receive this incentive each day they visit the market.

Farmers will also continue to accept WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons which can be exchanged for fresh fruits and veggies.

Lakewood Farmers Market (LFM)
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays

June 25 - October 1
Located in the City Center Plaza in downtown Lakewood on Detroit Road between Warren and Cook.

This is the second year for this weekend market in the center of town that boasts fruits and veggies, coffee, baked goods, cheese, meats, eggs, jams, honey, sauces, tea, flowers and plants, olive oil and other surprises. LFM shoppers will also enjoy live music, cooking demonstrations, and healthy-living education.
In its inaugural season, LFM attracted an average of 250 customers to 10 to 15 vendors weekly.
“There is a great sense of community and small town feel to Lakewood and I think the farmers market just adds to that,” said Christa Kraft, market manager. “An outdoor farmers market, at which residents can shop for fresh produce while meeting their neighbors and strolling the business district, not only gives residents healthier food options, but is great for the economic development of Lakewood.”

All produce vendors will be in full swing by mid/late July through the rest of the season.

Interesting note: Kraft said there’s cool, free government-funded program called “customer vendor assistance program” (CVAP) which aims to help backyard growers try their hand vending at a farmers market without the overhead or commitment. Any backyard produce grower can apply, and if accepted their application fee is be waived and a tent and table are provided on any dates and at any market of their choice for them to give vending at a farmers market a shot. CVAP Funding is available through a collaborative grant with Growhio, the ODA and seven area farmers markets including Gordon Square, Broadway, Downtown at Public Square, The Coit Rd. Farmers Market, Kamm's Corners Farmers Market, Lakewood Farmers Market and Tremont Farmers Market.

Lakewood Earth and Food Community (LEAF)

This nonprofit is a clearinghouse for all things related to local food and green living. This volunteer group facilitates community gardens in five locations in Lakewood: Cove Park, Kauffman Pak, Madison Park, and the Westerly and Webb Park. And in 2010, LEAF initiated a historical garden at the Oldest Stone House at Lakewood Park and helped establish a Learning Garden at the Madison Branch of the Lakewood Library.

In addition to offering educational series, bulk buying and community gardening, LEAF is perhaps best known for bringing CSAs to the city and creating that bustling spectacle in front of the Lakewood Library all that bustling activity in front.

Choose from several CSA programs including Bay Branch, Covered Bridge Gardens/Peters Creek Farms, Geauga Family Farms and City Fresh among others that bring you a family or single “share” of locally grown veggies and fruits each week. Prices vary by program.

Participants pick up their goodies at LEAF nights from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays starting June 1.

Now you have the skinny on all the local fare available in the city. Take your pick, you can’t go wrong.