Stow Farmers Market kicks off 12th year on June 4

The 12th season of the Stow Community Farmers Market begins Saturday, June 4 and runs through Oct. 8, rain or shine.

Market hours are 9 am-12:30 pm with free parking in the lot, the lot across the street in Briarwood and street parking. The market is placed on the paved parking lot of the Community Church of Stow at 1567 Pilgrim Drive in Stow.

Shoppers from all over the area can shop casually and safely in an outdoor setting in the middle of the Stow community. Get ready to visit your favorite vendors, enjoy live local music, yoga demonstrations, weekly kids’ activities, and other special events.

There will be an average of about 35-40 vendors each week at the market that will offer up these product categories - locally produced honey, maple syrup, baked goods, starter plants, micro greens, numerous varieties of lettuce, herbs, peanut butter, hand crafted soaps, spices, olive oil, knife sharpening, grass fed beef, pork, poultry, cheeses, brown eggs, sour dough breads and baked goods, fresh roasted coffee, hand painted art crafts and much more.

The market will feature community nonprofits such as Bulldog Bags, GASP, Stow Arts Commission, Friends of the Library, Summit Metro Parks, Master Gardeners of Summit County and SMF NICE each week to help them promote their own missions.

There will be a number of special events at the market this season, starting with a special presentation of wildlife animals from Operation Orphan Wildlife, a local rescue nonprofit that aids in injured wildlife. Other events include the Mobile Adoption Unit from the Summit County Humane Society on hand on three Saturdays; Yoga on the Green provided by Flourish Yoga; and Firefighter Mel will make an appearance to instruct families on fire safety. A food drive in scheduled called Cram the Cruiser to benefit the Akron Canton Food Bank with help from the Stow Police K-9 Unit.

SNAP/EBT along with WIC and Credit/Debit Card service will again be offered to promote traffic for vendors. There are two Saturdays that will be devoted to Kids Makers Market where children 6-14 years old can sell their own products or produce in a designated area. The market will also stage two Kids Scavenger Hunts this season.

A Special Ukulele Roundup is scheduled for August 6 that will feature at least 25 Ukulele performers to help raise funds for Bulldog Bags. Of course there will be local musicians on hand every week to provide just the right sound for our shoppers.

“Supporting your local Farmers Market strengthens our community,” says volunteer market manager Gary Aleman, “Our Market is also a great way to sample and cook with new vegetables or greens and since our products are grown locally - there is no problem with supply chain delays.”

Customers can catch market news on the Facebook page and from the website at www.stowfarmersmarket.com where they can sign up for a weekly email blast in season.

Founded in 2010, the Stow Community Farmers Market serves Stow, Munroe Falls, Kent, Cuyahoga Falls, Tallmadge, Hudson, and Akron with products and produce from local vendors and small businesses from the market's location in central Stow.