Akron Farmers' Markets

There is nothing like biting into a locally grown and perfectly ripe peach! I bought a basket of peaches from the display you see here at Homegrown Saturday at Lock 3, which is this year's ABJ and city of Akron sponsored Farmers Market. For the past couple of years, the farmer's market was located across from the Beacon building on Thursday afternoons through rush hour, making it very convenient to stop in for fresh veggies, baked goods, live plants, cut flowers and other delights including organic cheeses and meats for those who consume those products.

This year, a consortium of growers pulled out of the downtown venue and moved to Stan Hywet -- read about it here. That market is open on Thursdays, and I have yet to visit it. I would have to make a special trip across town to get there, and it just hasn't been at all convenient.

The city continues to host a minimal farmer's market at Cascade Plaza during lunch hours on Wednesday and Friday. I have made it down for this one, and have picked up some nice fruit and veggies there.

Last Saturday I finally made it to my first "Homegrown Saturday" at Lock 3. Lots of great veggies and fruits, including the best corn I've had this season!

The major problem with Homegrown Saturdays is that nobody knows about it. Whether it can attract enough people to downtown on a Saturday morning is still up in the air. If you support local farms and healthy foods and you live in Akron, here' s your chance. Homegrown Saturdays have a huge list of activities and events, which you can access here.

This week's events feature some science activities for the youngsters while the adults shop.

Every week you will find the following things at Homegrown Saturdays:

Farmer's and growers from 9 AM - 1 PM
WAKR's Tom Dayton's gardening show broadcast live 8 - 10 AM
Beacon Journal cooking demonstrations from 10:30 - noon
Pancake breakfast from 8:30 - 11:30 AM -- $5
The Akron History Exhibition from 9:00 - 2:oo PM - Free!
Trolley rides on Main Street from Spaghetti Warehouse to Northside Train Station