Saturday at Countryside Conservancy Farmers Market
There is nothing better than starting a Saturday morning with a crisp walk through Howe Meadows Farmers Market in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
The morning begins by sipping a Crooked River iced coffee in anticipation for the bell to ring and see the goodies of this weeks market. The fresh picked lettuce never disappoints so earthy and crisp. Will Blossom Acres repeat the stunning bouquets of last Saturday that passersby gawked over, whimsical arrangements of lilies the colors of fresh cut mangos and watermelon? Is this the last week for Huffman’s strawberries that with every bite invites a childhood memory of summer? Who will win the battle for breakfast, Simply Elegant with their spicy breakfast burrito or the sweet potato empanada from Totally Cooked? Morning patron’s wonder the market biting into homemade blackberry scones debating which grass fed cheese to buy the lemon zest cheddar or yogurt garlic herb never noticing their dew soaked flip flops.
This market is a treasure to the Akron-Cuyahoga Falls area attracting shoppers from as far as West Lake.
It was only a year ago that this market would see around 500 people on a Saturday and as the 2010 season begins it’s already grown to as many as 800 market goers. Why do you suppose that is? Convenience, a great variety food & produce, pricing, the desire to purchase locally? Or could be in this crazy 24 hour world that one welcomes the peace and quiet of driving with the top down winding through the majestic Cuyahoga Valley Park on a summer morning without cell phones or possibility of self-checkout that we crave unexpected conversations and a sense of community that only a local farmers market can offer, while never noticing our dew soaked flip flops?
About Me
- Sage Anne Culley
- KENT, OH
- As the daughter of two extremely creative parents I was pretty much destined for a career in food, something I think my parents knew when they named me. My passion for entertaining and cooking was developed by the time I was 10, apprenticing in our family kitchen making Chinese egg rolls and French crepes from scratch. I earned my degree in Food Service from Kent State then spent the last 18 years opening restaurants and hotels learning all facets of the industry with a focus on food, training and event planning. When the market tanked in 2008 I lost my job of 8 years and decided to explore this opportunity as a chance to begin yet another new chapter in my life. This is my journey……
Thursday, July 29, 2010
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