NEWARK, Ohio — The Canal Market District farmers market is now accepting applications for the 2017 season. The farmers market will be held Tuesday (May through September) and Friday 4-7 p.m. (May through October). The newest growers-only farmers market in Licking County is also proud to be the first farmers market in Licking County to accept SNAP/EBT and WIC programs.
The inaugural season of the farmers market exceeded all expectations and quickly became a regional destination market. The farmers market boosts of a newly built permanent farm market structure with 46 back-in parking vendor spots, on sight parking garage and newly constructed restroom facilities. The covered pavilion has electric and water available for each vendor.
The 2016 Farmers Market hosted 75 individual vendors from all over the state of Ohio. The market included fresh pasta, fruit, produce, cheese, mushrooms, breads, meats, maple syrup, honey, baked goods, ice cream, knife sharpener and weekly educational programs from various community partners. The market also included food trucks for dining options and live music performed by 25 different local artists.
“We had no idea what to expect during a first season and could not have been more happy with our first season. The community has fallen in love with the farmers market and we know our second year will be even better. We are looking for unique and quality market vendors to add to our community and the market going experience,” said Bryn Bird, market director. “In a post 2016 market survey 100 percent of our vendors said they would highly recommend the market to other vendors. To us that speaks volumes to the quality of the market and the community’s support.”
This year the market will also begin to strive for a Zero Waste Goal encouraging vendors to rethink packaging and ending the use of Styrofoam and single use plastic bags. There will be a vendor meeting on March 14 from 4-6 p.m. at Licking Memorial Hospital in the basement conference room. You can find the market application and requirements at www.canalmarketdistrict.org. The vendor advisory committee, made up of 10 vendors and community members, will begin reviewing applications on March 1.
About the Canal Market District
The Canal Market District and Enterprise Hub launched in February 2015 as a nonprofit entity dedicated to managing the Canal Market District and developing opportunities for local farmers to connect with local markets. The farmers market is held each Tuesday and Friday evening from 4 to 7pm from May through October. We accept SNAP, WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition coupons, making fresh, local food accessible to Newark residents of all income levels. Learn more about Canal Market District on our website at www.canalmarketdistrict.org.