The ultimate guide to farmers markets in Summit County for summer 2023
The arrival of summer means more than just sunscreen and cookouts; it’s also the beginning of farmers market season.
Summit County holds quite a few outdoor farmers markets, where local growers and small businesses sell their wares to the public. With the rising cost of gas and store-bought groceries, purchasing bread, meat and produce from local farmers could save shoppers a pretty penny.
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Most farmers markets set up shop in the parking lots of community centers, churches or on public green space. Plus, the list of vendors doesn’t stop at fresh food: Most markets also have food trucks and small businesses selling household items like soap, kitchen utensils and clothes.
Hudson Farmers Market
This market takes place on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. starting June 3 and ending Oct. 7. Vendors will be located on the Clocktower Gazebo & Green in downtown Hudson. Curbside parking is available along North Main Street and in the residential neighborhoods east of the market. Not sure what to make with the goodies you found? Check out their list of recipes.
Firestone Farmers Market
This farmers market will take place in the Firestone Park Community Center parking lot on Sundays from noon to 3:30 p.m. starting June 4 and ending Aug. 27. Patrons may park in the parking lots for Firestone Park United Methodist Church, Firestone Park Presbyterian Church and the Firestone Park playground.
Summit Lake Farmers Market (Akron)
The market is behind the Summit Lake Community Center (380 W. Crosier St., Akron) on Tuesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. starting June 6 and ending Sept. 26. Patrons can park in the Summit Lake Community Center or Reach Opportunity Center parking lots.
The goal of the market is to create an access point to locally grown, affordable fruits and vegetables. So, market organizers encourage people to take advantage of the nutrition incentives available in most local farmers markets. One of these is the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) produce perks, which give $25 of fresh fruits and vegetables to anyone spending at least $25 on their Ohio EBT/Direction card. WIC and Senior Vouchers are also accepted.
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Barberton Farmers Market
Located in downtown Barberton, this farmers market is on Tuesdays from 2 to 7 p.m. starting May 30 and ending Oct. 10. Parking spaces are available along the blocks surrounding the market. SNAP produce perks and WIC carrot cash are accepted. Find what vendors are attending on the market online.
Countryside Farmers Market (Peninsula)
Peruse this market in Howe Meadow (4040 Riverview Rd., Peninsula) on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon starting May 6 and ending Oct. 30. Parking is available in the back of the meadow. Countryside participates in SNAP produce perks and accepts WIC carrot cash.
Norton Farmers Market
This farmers market is located in a parking lot and field in front of the Norton Schools Administration Building, which is on the corner of South Cleveland-Massillon and Greenwich roads. Vendors will be selling their goods on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting June 3 and ending Oct. 7. People may park next to the administration building on the side closest to McDonald's or near the old softball field.
The Norton Farmers Market's Facebook page will post a list of vendors attending the market each week. A rotating line up of food trucks will also visit Norton Farmers Market throughout the season.
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Stow Farmers Market
Patrons can shop for goodies in The Community Church of Stow’s (1567 Pilgrim Dr., Stow) parking lot on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. starting June 3 and ending Oct. 7. There is parking available on the street and in the parking lot across the street from the market. Vendors accept SNAP produce perks and WIC carrot cash.
Cuyahoga Falls Farmers Market
The Cuyahoga Falls Farmers Market is in High Bridge Glens Park (1817 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls) each Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. starting July 14 and ending Sept. 29. Street parking and public parking lots are along Front Street. There is also free parking in the parking decks that can be entered via Second Street.
Tallmadge Farmers Market
Tallmadge's farmers market takes place on Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. starting June 15 and ending Oct. 12 in the Tallmadge Recreation Center parking lot (46 N. Munroe Rd., Tallmadge). City officials recommend parking in a portion of the recreation center’s parking lot that is not occupied by the market’s vendors.
Healthy Asian Pacific Islanders (HAPI) Fresh Farmers Market (Akron)
HAPI Fresh Farmers Market takes place at 743 Gaylan Dr., Akron, Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. starting July 5 and ending Sept. 27. Locally grown and culturally specific produce will be available. SNAP EBT is accepted at the market. For volunteer or vendor information, call 330-535-3263 Ext 5313 or email mxiong@asiaohio.org. https://www.asiaohio.org/event/hapi-fresh-farmers-market/.
Southgate Farm's Little Farm Shop (Green)
This market is primarily self-serve, so customers should tally up their order and make payments on their own. Visitors are welcome Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to dusk starting May 3 and ending in late October or early November. The entrance to the market is at Southgate Trailhead (6521 Mount Pleasant St. NW, North Canton). Gravel parking is available just to the right of the barn along the fence. In addition to produce from Southgate Farm, goods from CAALM Pastures, Miller's Mushrooms, Mud Run Farm and Joe's Sourdough Bread are also available at the market.
Contact Beacon Journal reporter Tawney Beans at tbeans@gannett.com and on Twitter @TawneyBeans.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Summit County farmers markets: When, where and what to buy 2023
