North Union Farmers Market will bring successful farmers markets to communities in Northeast Ohio in order to educate the public about the benefits of eating locally grown food.

We operate authentic producer-only markets and also offer related programming to encourage consumers and farmers to participate in the markets.

• In order to teach consumers abou the taste and health benefits of eating fresh, locally grown seasonal produce, carrying on the traditions of North Union Shakers.

• To improve the regional economy by creating vibrant community spaces.

• To enhance our environment by enabling small farms to sell directly to consumers

The Market has a board of 14 trustees, several of whom are farmers who sell at market. The Market has a salaried staff of 3 including a general manager who is responsible for the operation of the Markets plus a paid consultant field worker. In 2006, there were over 136 farmers, 82 artisans, and 29 food purveyors participating in our markets. This means in 2006, North Union Farmers Market incubated over 240 small businesses.

What does North Union Farmers Market do?

North Union Farmers Market operates six farmers markets in the Greater Cleveland area. The first was established in 1995 at Shaker Square and is open on Saturday mornings from April through the third week in December. In 1999 we opened our Lakewood market on Wednesdays. The Parma market, open on Sundays at historic Stearns Farm, was started in 2003, along with our Indoor Winter Market at Shaker Square. In 2005 our Crocker Park market in Westlake was opened, and our most recent addition was Eton Chagrin Boulevard in 2006.

NUFM has built relationships with area organizations with similar goals: Cleveland Botanical Gardens, The Cleveland Clinic, The Ohio State University Extension, Slow Food, Shaker Historical Society, Murphy Foundation, O'Neill Foundation, University Hospitals, Chef Fresh network, Cleveland Originals, and Esperanza Threads. It is through these relationships that the Market has broadened its ability to educate the public about the benefits of locally grown produce. The successful "Chef at the Market" series, during which local chefs prepare fresh, local product during the live market, is just one example of how NUFM is meeting its mission.

What are the Market's long-term goals?

Over the past 12 years, it has been gratifying to see the enthusiasm of the community and the farmers who participate in the Markets. Each year, it becomes easier to attract new farmers and build a customer base. Our goals are to help re-establish true farmers markets in the state of Ohio by assisting other communities in creating farmers markets that will support more farms and bring the energy and revitalization to urban and village centers. The strength of our local farming economy and the vitality of our downtown centers and merchant economy are inextricably linked: one cannot thrive without the other. As such, we hope to stall the deleterious social, environmental, and economic effects caused by urban sprawl and industrial food systems by giving small farm families outlets for their products and thereby the ability to keep their farms. We will continue to educate the public about the flavor, freshness, and health advantages of local produce, which will create a demand for these products throughout the area.