Jetora Carter is sampling the sauces. She’s been coming to the Summit Lake Neighborhood Farmers Market as long as it’s been around. The Summit Lake resident brought her kids over the years, she said, so they could experience the diversity and eat foods from the gardens.
“I absolutely love the food,” Carter said. “It’s cheaper. It’s convenient because it’s in my neighborhood.”
Carter is one of many shoppers who lined up at the market Tuesday to buy in-season vegetables such as radishes and peppers, hot sauces, fresh flowers and handmade jewelry.
Jaden Swisher, 19, who lives in the neighborhood, holds a bag filled with herbs he purchased from a farmer. He’s been coming since he was a child.
“I know the people, but I also know that it’s fresh and good produce,” he said.
Elizabeth Tiltscher sat behind a table filled with homemade sprays, taco seasoning and hemp bracelets. Next to her is a chair massage where shoppers can receive a 5-minute massage from Tiltscher.
The mother of three is hungry for resources, she said. She lives with her kids in an apartment complex near the Summit Lake Community Center and doesn’t drive.
“I have my hands in everything,” she said.
Summit Lake market, held at the Summit Lake Community Center at 380 W. Crosier St., has 15 vendors and more than 100 shoppers most weeks, said Lisa Nunn, the executive director of Let’s Grow Akron, a nonprofit community garden organization and urban farm that runs the market.
Patrons come to buy fresh produce, sit by the lake for a picnic, enjoy a canoe ride, listen to music and enjoy the community.
“It’s serving a smaller, low-income demographic, so it doesn’t make sense for a farmer who needs to pay their mortgage, but it makes sense for smaller growers and smaller food businesses,” Nunn said.
Ready to head out for fresh produce and locally grown goods this weekend? Signal Akron compiled a list of some of the markets in the area.
Tips for going to a farmers market
When going to a farmers market, Nunn offered a few tips.
Arrive early
Produce such as “fruit sells out really fast,” she said.
Staying toward the end is beneficial as well.
“If a farmer doesn’t sell what they have, they have to take that produce back and it’s not going to be as good the next day from sitting out on the table for several hours,” Nunn said. “So, sometimes coming at the end, the last half an hour is good because farmers are willing to make good deals.”
Make a plan to come weekly as crops continue to ripen
Patrons don’t always know what produce is in season. Tomatoes, for example, aren’t ripe in June. Cool weather crops such as lettuce, kale and collards are ready this month.
“The produce offerings will change as different plants produce,” Nunn said.
Cash, debit, credit, SNAP and other benefit programs are welcome
While cash is great, the Summit Lake market also accepts debit and credit cards and is one of several area markets that offer nutrition incentives such as SNAP and other food benefit programs.
The market accepts “produce perks and the senior farmers market program,” Nunn said. “So we accept all that as well and WIC, TANF coupons. … We promote that for sure.”
Summit Lake Neighborhood Farmers Market
Every Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. through Sept. 23
More than 15 vendors set up each Tuesday at Summit Lake Community Center, 380 W. Crosier St. The market offers fresh produce, value-added products, local art and more. Let’s Grow Akron, a nonprofit community garden organization and urban farm, runs the market. EBT accepted and matched up to $25, along with Senior, TANF and WIC coupons. The market moves inside the community center during inclement weather.
Haymaker Farmers’ Market
Saturdays from April through October | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Located between Main and Summit streets under the Haymaker Parkway at 350 Franklin Ave. in Kent. Free parking is available throughout downtown Kent. Haymaker also has an indoor season that runs from December to March at Pierson Hall United Methodist Church of Kent at 1435 E. Main St. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The indoor market is closed on the Saturday between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Cuyahoga Valley Farmer’s Markets
Saturdays from May through Oct. 25 | 9 a.m. to noon
More than 70 local vendors set up shop every Saturday at Howe Meadow in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, located at 4040 Riverview Road in Peninsula. Its winter market is held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon from November through April at Old Trail School located at 2315 Ira Road.
Hudson Farmers Market
Saturdays from June 7 through Oct. 11 | 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Visit more than 40 vendors at the Clocktower and Gazebo Greens along 103 N. Main St. in Hudson.
Firestone Farmers Market
Sundays from May 18 through Sept. 14 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Debuted in 2023, the Firestone Farmers Market dates include May 18, May 25, June 8, June 15, June 22, July 13, July 20, July 27, Aug. 10, Aug. 17, Aug. 24, Sept. 7 and Sept. 14. The market is located at 1480 Girard St. in Akron’s Firestone Park neighborhood.
Medina Square Farmers Market
Saturdays from May 17 through Oct. 4 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
More than 70 vendors gather on Medina’s historic square to offer locally grown greens, fruits, herbs, flowers, homemade jams and jellies, local honey, fresh bread and more.
Stow Community Farmers Market
Saturdays from May 31 through Oct. 4 | 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
In its 14th year, the Stow Community Farmers Market is located in the parking lot of the Community Church of Stow at 1567 Pilgrim Dr. This market offers EBT/SNAP, Produce Perks and WIC benefits to those who qualify.
Let’s Grow Akron Community Farm Market & Kitchen
Tuesdays through Saturdays | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Located on the southwest side of Summit Lake at 462 Harvey Ave. Patrons can expect fresh, organically grown produce, eggs, raw honey, hot sauce, jams, pickles and more. EBT and pEBT are accepted, and EBT is matched up to $25. Patrons can also place orders for pick up or delivery through the online market.
Tallmadge Farmers Market
Thursdays from June 12 through Oct. 9 | 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Head to the Tallmadge Recreation Center parking lot at 46 N. Munroe Road for a Thursday evening farmers market each week through Oct. 9 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Harmony Grows Farmers Market
Thursdays from June 5 through Sept. 18 | 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The inaugural season of the Harmony Grows Farmers Market takes place every Thursday afternoon from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the parking lot of Harmony Springs Church at 3891 S. Arlington Road in Green. This market offers produce vendors, crafts and food trucks.
Hapi Fresh Market
Wednesdays from July 9 through September 24 | 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (this listing was updated)
Akron Cooperative Farms hosts ASIA’s Hapi Fresh Market with more than 130 gardeners, about 85% of whom are Bhutanese/Nepali growers. Stop by Wednesdays at 743 Gaylan Dr.
House Three Thirty Farmers Market
Saturday, July 19 | 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More than 60 local vendors will be on hand with fresh produce, baked goods, sweet treats and more at 532. W. Market Street in West Hill.