NEWARK, Ohio — The Canal Market District in downtown Newark is only a few short weeks away from its spring opening. The farmers’ market reopens for the season at 4 p.m. on May 4 while the art and craft market reopens on May 12 at 10 a.m. This May will mark the beginning of the Canal Market District’s third season after opening for the first time in June 2016.
During the month of May, the farmers’ market will operate on Fridays only from 4 to 7 p.m. The Tuesday evening market will reopen in June and run during the same 4 to 7 p.m. timeframe. Starting this year, Tuesday markets will feature a rotating selection of locally handcrafted goods in addition to the produce, baked goods, sauces, honey and other groceries that market shoppers have grown accustomed to.
The farmers’ market is adding 15 new vendors to the mix in 2018, including four new farmers. New products will also be available at this year’s farmers market, including heat-and-eat wood-fired pizza, all-natural kid-friendly snacks and locally made wine.
Canal Market District has secured a special permit to allow local winemakers to sell at the farmers market, becoming the first market in the county to do so.
Jim Young, owner of Sand Hollow Winery and the Sand Hollow Speakeasy, watched last year as the success of the market grew. “This year when given the opportunity to have Sand Hollow Speakeasy wine at the market I jumped at the chance. The Canal Market District is the heart of Newark’s downtown renaissance. The Speakeasy is looking forward to being part of that excitement.”
Opening day will have plenty to keep shoppers busy in addition to the market vendors. Live music will be provided by local musicians including Charles Sealy of Columbus and Johnny Jamz, a regular performer at the Canal Market District. Chefs from Licking Memorial Hospital will be on hand for opening day offering shoppers samples and recipe cards featuring local ingredients. Kids will have the opportunity to earn prizes for tasting spring vegetables at the market’s demonstration table. There will also be a special interfaith blessing ceremony at 5:45 p.m. to ring in the new season of the farmers market.
Canal Market District organizers are encouraging every family to support the small farmers who attend the farmers market by visiting each week. “The most important part of any farmers’ market is the presence of local growers,” Glastra said.
“At the end of the day this is really all about supporting our local farmers as a community. If every family in Newark spent only $25 per week on local food at the market, that would translate into half a million dollars in the pockets of small farmers and businesses. Imagine what that would do for our local economy!”
Canal Market District welcomes people of all economic means and accepts both WIC Farmers Market Nutrition coupons and SNAP (food stamps) benefits. These programs allow low income shoppers to use their benefits in lieu of cash to purchase fresh food from the farmers market. SNAP users can also get up to $20 extra to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables each market day through the ProducePerks network.
— Canal Market District