Downtown Wooster Farmers Market

Even at 8 a.m. on a Saturday morning, the heart of Wooster can be found bustling with activity. The Downtown Wooster Farmers Market is already in full swing for the season with dozens of vendors selling fresh seasonal produce, flowers and cottage food items on Market Street, just north of Liberty Street and in the northeast parking lot quadrant behind the gazebo.For about 16 years, Beth and Marcus Ladrach have been selling produce from their family farm at the downtown market and have been instrumental in the continued quality of this well attended weekly event. The Ladrachs explained that the market location changed over the years, but about three years ago the market organizers received approval for the vendors to set up on Market Street in front of the courthouse. The city graciously agreed to close down the block each Saturday morning from June through late October. Beth Ladrach said this move “really helped keep us all together instead of being spread out” between two lots.Beth Ladrach serves as the market manager and a committee works with Main Street Wooster to promote the event. Ladrach explained that Main Street Wooster handles the advertising, permits, applications and secures electric lines for the vendors requiring refrigeration. The Everything Rubbermaid Store continues to sponsor the market.The early morning bustle also had local businesses anticipating the crowds. When asked how the farmers market affects their business, Jackie Buckwalter from Ride On Bike and Repair Shop said, “It’s huge! We get a lot of walk-ins from both local people and those from out of the area who didn’t know there’s a bike shop downtown…. The market is a huge draw for the downtown. People come from Ashland, Mansfield, etc. They don’t have anything like this.”As Janet Kauffman and Jennifer Adair looked over the produce at the Weaver’s stand, Adair exclaimed that “I have to get fresh produce and fruit,” while Kauffman commented on the available items. “It’s so fresh and the quality is so good…..There’s so much to choose from.”Steve and Barb Shergalis from Westfield Center shared, “This is the best farmers market around. We look forward to it all week.” They always stop at Jennifer McMullen’s stand to pick up their supply of whole wheat pita bread, tortillas and baguettes, which are “unbelievably good” according to Barb Shergalis. McMullen, also known by her business’ name, The Grain Maker, sells her goods at Local Roots, but last year she thought it “would be a good time to try a new market and meet some of her buyers face to face.”Barely a day goes by when one does not hear about the “local food movement” in the news, and as the crowds filed into the market early Saturday morning it was apparent that Ladrach was correct when she said, “People want to know where their food is coming from.”