Lakewood Farmers Market Growing Strong; Set to Begin Saturday

Get your pots and pans prepared and your knives sharpened.

The Saturday Lakewood Farmers Market is getting ready to launch this weekend at in front of the Marc’s plaza.

Organizers say the market provides a “hyper-local food” business incubator and an opportunity for Lakewood residents to buy food grown or made close to home.

Christa Kraft, the market manager, said that the Lakewood Farmers Market — which runs Saturday thought Oct. 1 — not only gives established vendors the opportunity to peddle their produce and products, but also an opportunity for small-scale backyard growers and cottage industries to come and sell for the first time.

To start, there will be between 15 to 20 vendors on hand. They include cooking demos, yoga classes, musicians, education seminars “and of course, the very best fresh produce and local products Northeast Ohio has to offer.” 

Kraft said local food movement has become sort of the buzz during the past few years.

And with good reason.

Local food, she said, is good for the local economy, local farmers and the consumers. And with few fertilizers and pesticides — and no imported products — the market is also friendly to the environment.

Organizers came up with the idea in 2009, and last summer the idea sprouted.

This year, farmers are hopeful that the rain doesn’t affect the crop.

“Though we had a rainy start, Mother Nature is pretty forgiving and we're still looking forward to a great growing season,” Kraft said. “The Lakewood Farmers Market is excited and ready to help downtown Lakewood be a destination location by adding to foot traffic and the neighborhood-y atmosphere.”

More information about these programs can be found online.