Kent – Haymaker Farmers’ Market, Portage County’s oldest producer only farmers’ market, opened its 26th outdoor season on Saturday, May 5 and will continue every Saturday through October from 9 a.m. – 1p.m. The market is held on Franklin Avenue under the Haymaker Bridge, between Erie and Summit Streets in downtown Kent.
Purchase locally grown organic and conventional fruits, vegetables and grains; meats; cheeses; eggs; honey; maple syrup; plants; baked goods; coffee; snacks; prepared food; herbal-based soaps and lotions; and more.
According to Market Manager J. Andrew Rome, this will be a particularly good season for customers to continue to shop at the market or visit for the first time. “Our farmers have the expertise to grow the highest quality produce at every time of the year, so each month brings new seasonal treats,” Rome says.
Rome notes there will be 47 vendors, the most ever, at the outdoor market. He adds that in addition to long time returning vendors, like Birdsong Farm, Isaac Mills Market Bakery, Goodell Farms, several new vendors, including Martha’s Farm, Tiny Jelly Co., and Luton Lavender will bring new products to the market.
The market welcomes the Ohio Direction Card and credit and debit cards; customers may visit the market info table to swipe the card in exchange for market tokens. The market accepts WIC coupons for eligible products and several farmers also accept Portage County Senior Nutrition Program coupons. In addition, a weekly $10 Produce Perks match is offered to SNAP customers for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables.
“We have the Socially Responsible Sweatshop of Kent to thank for the SNAP match,” Rome explains. “For several years under the direction of Mary Ann Kasper, they have sold beautiful hand crafted items to help fund the Market’s SNAP matching program.”
Free, live music is performed each Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, featuring a variety of local bands playing a range of music from Celtic to bluegrass to rock.
For more information about the market and its vendors, visit haymakermarket.com.
