Easton Farmers Market: Getting to know the farmers who grow our food and making a difference

This past summer, Easton took on an ambitious project: creating a brand-new farmers market with 50 spaces for farmers, artisans and crafters. Building something where nothing existed before is not an easy undertaking, but Easton assembled a good team of folks who worked hard to create a welcoming and fun environment for both shoppers and vendors.

They offered some innovative services that aren't usually found at a typical farmers market such as the“Veggie Valet,” a refrigerated mobile trailer to hold bags of produce, cheeses, and other items purchased at the market while shoppers visit other areas of Easton. The shoppers can then pick up their farmers market purchases on the way home. What a wonderful service!

Easton collaborated with Local Matters to offer two weekly services: seasonally-inspired food education activities for kids (led by our Food Matters team) and cooking demonstrations from Chef RB—that’s me!

Every week, rain or shine—or oppressive summer heat—I created a recipe or two based on the produce and products the farmers brought to the market that week.  

At first it was a challenge to convince farmers that I was there to support them by highlighting their products in my cooking demonstrations. But a few were quick to offer their products, knowing that it would garner them great free publicity as I talked about the superior flavor and higher nutritional content of foods grown closer to home and the benefits of supporting our local Ohio farmers.  

Pretty soon I had developed friendships and mutually beneficial relationships with Sharon of H W Organic Farm, Bob of Ohio Bison Farm, Ann of Ann’s Raspberry Farm, Jane of Meadow Rise Farm, Michelle of Shagbark Seed & Mill Company, Julie of Mackenzie Creamery Goat Cheese, Joy and Claire of Snowville Creamery Milk, and so many more.  I loved to visit with the farmers as I made my rounds at the beginning of each market, looking for inspiration for that week’s recipe.

I also quickly developed a group of loyal market customers who came to my cooking demonstrations every week. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each of them by name and learning all of their personal stories. There was the young engaged couple who attended Weight Watchers meetings at Easton and then came to my cooking demos for healthful recipe ideas. There was a pregnant mother who only missed 2 weeks of the entire market season to have her baby, then came right back with the baby in tow! And a retired Army officer who was the faithful first customer in my tent every single week.

It was a true pleasure getting to know not only the farmers, but also the customers at the market. They soon felt like my Thursday night “family,” and I looked forward to the Easton Farmers Market as the highlight of my week.

My experience at Easton Farmers Market also gave me an opportunity to build lasting friendships with the members of my own team, and I couldn’t have done the good work that I did without the fantastic support of Monique, a senior Food Educator on our Food Matters team. To be honest, I think most of the customers at Easton really came to visit with Monique every week—her personality is so infectious and her positive attitude so contagious! Together, we gave our patrons not only healthful cooking tips and advice on how to use the items found at the market, but also a thoroughly enjoyable social experience, eating and talking together as we worked our way through the recipes each week.

One of our regular patrons, Linda, would take our free recipes and shop for the ingredients at the market every week, then come back the next week to report her experiences with making the recipe at home and trying it out on her family.  Recently retired, Linda said she is just now learning to enjoy cooking, and she attributes it all to us!  Nothing gives me more satisfaction than to know that I have reached even one person to make a difference in his or her life. Linda gave as much to me as I gave to her, and that is what my Easton Farmers Market experience was really all about: connecting with people through food and making a difference in people’s lives.

Blog Categories: Food Matters