North Union Farmers Market

NORTH UNION FARMERS MARKET CHAMPIONS THE LOCAL FOODS OF NORTHEAST OHIO AND PROMOTES THEIR HEALTH, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS BY CONNECTING CERTIFIED PRODUCERS WITH CONSUMERS THROUGH A NETWORK OF MARKETS.

NORTH UNIONS GOAL IS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF EATING LOCALLY GROWN FOOD. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION STRIVES TO IMPROVE THE REGIONAL ECONOMY BY CREATING VIBRANT COMMUNITY SPACES AND ENABLING SMALL FARMS TO SELL DIRECTLY TO CONSUMERS. NORTH UNION OPERATES ELEVEN FARMERS MARKETS IN THE GREATER CLEVELAND AREA.

PRODUCE PERKS ARE INCENTIVE TOKENS GIVEN TO INDIVIDUALS WHO USE AN OHIO DIRECTION CARD TO PURCHASE ONLY FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. ALL OTHER TOKENS PURCHASED WITH THE OHIO DIRECTION CARD ARE GOOD TO USE ON ELIGIBLE ITEMS AT THE MARKET. NUFM MATCHES DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR (UP TO $25) SPENT ON AN OHIO DIRECTION CARD WITH PRODUCE PERKS IN THE FORM OF GREEN TOKENS.

SNAP: SNAP (SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM), FORMERLY KNOWN AS FOOD STAMPS IS THE LARGEST PROGRAM IN THE DOMESTIC HUNGER SAFETY NET, PROVIDING NUTRITION ASSISTANCE TO ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. THE OHIO DIRECTION CARD (ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER OR EBT)IS SIMILAR TO A BANK DEBIT CARD THAT HOLDS SNAP BENEFITS ASSIGNED EACH MONTH TO THE RECIPIENT.SNAP BENEFITS CAN BE USED AT THE MARKET THROUGH THE OHIO DIRECTION CARD, WHICH IS RUN THROUGH THE CREDIT CARD MACHINE. THE SHOPPER LETS THE VOLUNTEER KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY THEY WOULD LIKE TAKEN OFF OF THEIR CARD AND THE SHOPPER IS GIVEN WOODEN TOKENS ($1 EACH) IN RETURN. THESE CAN BE USED ON ALL EBT- ELIGIBLE ITEMS (FOOD) AT THE MARKET.

NORTH UNION FARMERS MARKET EDUCATES THE PEOPLE AND FARMERS OF NORTHEAST OHIO ON THE NUTRITIONAL, ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL VALUE OF FRESH, HEALTHY AND LOCALLY GROWN FOODS. WE ARE A CERTIFIED PRODUCER-ONLY MARKET, MEANING OUR VENDORS ARE NOT RE-SELLING ANOTHER FARMERS PRODUCE. WE VISIT AND APPROVE EACH FARM USING A RIGOROUS CERTIFICATION PROCESS BEFORE ACCEPTANCE. NORTH UNION FARMERS MARKET EDUCATES THE PUBLIC AND OUR FARMERS WITH STRATEGIC OUTREACH PROGRAMMING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, INCLUDING WEEKLY E-MAILS, POSTERS, AND DIRECT MAILINGS. WE MAKE PERSONAL CONNECTIONS THROUGH: 1) CHEF AT THE MARKET WHICH TEACHES PREPARATION OF FRESH SEASONAL FOODS; 2) FRITTATA PROJECT WHICH TEACHES YOUNG MOTHERS AND FATHERS HOW TO COOK A NUTRITIOUS MEAL ON A BUDGET; 3) THE TIME TO GROW EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE FORFARMERS FEATURES LECTURES BY NATIONAL LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY, ANNUAL FARMER TRAINING BY USDA/NRCS AGRICULTURAL LEADERS IN REGENERATIVE FARMING BEST PRACTICES AND EFFECTIVE METHODS OF GROWING THE HIGHEST QUALITY FOODS; 4) MIGHTY LOCAVORES IS A STEM EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH TO CHILDREN IN CLEVELAND SCHOOLS; AND 5) CLEVELAND GARLIC FESTIVAL CONNECTS OUR COMMUNITY WITH FRESH FOODS, FARMERS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS WITH A CELEBRATION IN SHAKER SQUARE, FOCUSING ON THE USES OF LOCALLY GROWN GARLIC WITH LOCAL MEATS, PRODUCE, ARTISAN CHEESES AND OTHER FOODS GROWN IN NORTHEAST OHIO.