Coffee Conundrum: Winter Farmer's Market

Since last May, Saturdays for me have been synonymous with working at the Olde Worthington Farmer's Market in northern Columbus. I grew up in Worthington, an older suburb of the city, and remember countless summer Saturday mornings spent at the Farmer's Market with my mom and, sometimes, our dog. The summer market is held from May to October on High Street in the historical downtown part of the suburb, with quaint, nineteenth century buildings lining the street, dozens of vendors, and thousands of shoppers and their kids and dogs, perusing the fresh fruits and veggies, herbs and flowers, candies and soaps and pies.

A few years ago, they decided to have a winter market as well, and continue the weekly tradition in a nearby reception center. There are fewer vendors (and unfortunately no dogs) but there are still plenty of delicious fruits and vegetables, breads, soaps, candies, and cheeses.

I work for Gillogly Orchards in the fall and winter. Their orchard is down in southern Ohio, near Athens and Ohio University where I did my undergraduate work. In the late summer and fall, their stand is full of peaches, pears, cherries, apricots, nectarines, and other jewels. Fall brings honey and apples galore, and people nearly mob our table for Honeycrisp, Winesap, Gold Rush, and especially the gallons upon gallons of cider the orchard produces.

The winter setup is a bit smaller, and Mark Gillogly brings the few varieties of apples that are left, honey, cider, some root vegetables, garlic, and his wife Sherry's hydroponically grown lettuce. Here are some shots from the market!