–by Jen Ruple
PUBLICATION DATE: June 02, 2020
Summer in the city kicks off on Tuesday, June 2 with the opening of the Sylvania Farmers Market. This season’s market will be held at a new location, Sylvania First United Methodist Church, 7000 Erie St., across from Plummer Pool.
According to market management, the move is necessary to meet the updated guidelines for farmers markets set by the Ohio Department of Agriculture in response to COVID-19. “The move allows us to maintain the same number of vendors we have had in the past and still be within walking distance from downtown Sylvania,” said Market Manager Connie Torrey. “We are happy to be able to continue to serve the Sylvania community with a variety of fresh produce, baked goods and specialty food items,” she added.
The market will be held on Tuesdays through October 13. Hours are 3 to 7 pm, with 3 to 4 pm designated for vulnerable populations. Visitors are asked to enter from Erie Street and exit at Orvieto Drive, to practice social distancing and masks are suggested.
Parking will be available in the large circle in front of the church and in a side parking lot. There will be hand sanitizer located throughout the market but no public restrooms. “We will look different in a new spot; however, the heart of our market will remain the same,” assured Torrey.
While there will be changes to the market’s operation, shoppers will recognize familiar faces from Farnsel Farms, GLS Farms, Louis Keil and Sons and Stevens Gardens. “It seems like the virus has made people more aware of where their food comes from,” said Tim Keil of Louis Keil and Sons. Keil is optimistic about the new location, “I think more people will support their local farmers this summer. We are truly all in this together,” he added.
Acorn Hill Farms will return to the market with its line of Angry Goat soaps and lotions made from goat’s milk. Dee’s Bees Honey will be back with its all-natural products.
Bottles of wine will be available from two northwest Ohio wineries, Majestic Oak Vineyards of Grand Rapids and Benfield Wines of Swanton. “We are happy to be back at the market for our third year and excited to see how the new spot works out,” said Julia Benfield.
Steve Colony of Great Lakes Custom Sharpening will help keep your knives and tools in shape with on-site sharpening services. Market shoppers will have the opportunity to purchase Libby’s 17 Second Cookies and will find several varieties of Jack and Melissa Carls’ Olde Tyme Kettle Korn.
Sylvanian Patt Morr, aka The Pie Lady, returns with homemade fruit pies and mini breads. Jane Berry of Posey Jane will bring homegrown flower arrangements and seasonal fruit from her farm in Ottawa Lake, Mich. And Emmy Bagnato of Emmy’s Kitchen in Blissfield, Mich. will set up a mini bakery with cookies, cupcakes, brownies, macarons, and caramel apples later in the season.
Two local delis are coming back to the market this year, Earth to Oven and Country Grains Bread Company. Handcrafted medicinal herbal teas will be available from The Shaman and The Bear. Innocents Soaps returns with an assortment of scented soaps, and Brick ‘n’ Brecher Sugar Shack from Green Springs, Ohio will have an array of maple products for sale including syrup, candies, cream, sugar, lollipops and cotton candy.
Shoppers will also have the option to pick up to-go orders from several food trucks including Koral Hamburg, Grumpy’s On the Go, Smyles Icy Treats and The Leaf and Seed with vegan food options.