The Benefits of Buying Local
Buying locally grown food in season benefits your family’s health, the environment and our economy. Yet most produce travels an average of 1,500 miles before landing on U.S. kitchen tables.
Tomatoes commonly come from the Netherlands. Asparagus are shipped from Peru. Blueberries are flown in from Argentina. Peaches are air-freighted from Chile.
You don’t need to look for greener pastures — these fruits and vegetables are all grown in Ohio.
Pick local produce for your family’s health
- You’ll enjoy the most flavor-packed fruits and vegetables because they are picked the night before — or the morning of — the market.
- When you eat produce right off the vine or the tree, you’re getting more of nature’s nutrients.
- You’re consuming fewer preservatives — they’re not needed to extend produce shelf life.
- Stocking your fridge with farm-fresh produce will help you meet your daily requirement of five servings (or handfuls) of fruit and five servings of vegetables per day.
Support local farming — It’s friendlier to the environment
- Buying locally and regionally reduces fuel consumption and emissions from transportation while supporting our rural neighbors.
- Planting a variety of crops discourages pests and is kinder to the soil, so our growers need fewer pesticides and chemical additives than large, single-crop farms.
- ”Sustainable” growers use low-impact or organic chemicals, which means that fewer unwanted fertilizers and pesticides find their way into our waterways and groundwater — as well as our bodies.
Help boost the economy in Northeast Ohio
- When you buy locally grown fruits and vegetables directly from the farmer, he or she receives the entire amount — rather than 7 to 18 cents on the dollar through commercial channels.
- Support local farmers, and you’re helping to preserve farmland too.
Where You’ll Find Cleveland Clinic Farmers Markets:
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus - Crile Building Mall - hosted by Cleveland Clinic
E 100th Street, between Euclid and Carnegie Ave., Cleveland, OH 44195
Dates: 6/6/2012 - 10/31/2012
Day / Time: Wednesdays; 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Cleveland Clinic Beachwood Family Health and Surgery Center - hosted by Cleveland Clinic
26900 Cedar Road, Beachwood, OH 44122
Dates: 7/25/2012 - 9/26/2012
Day / Time: Wednesdays; 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Cleveland Clinic Independence Family Health Center - hosted by Cleveland Clinic
5001 Rockside Road Crown Center II, Independence, OH 44131
Dates: 7/10/2012 - 9/25/2012
Day / Time: Tuesdays; 10:00 am - 4:00 pm or until produce runs out
Stephanie Tubbs Jones Health Center - hosted by Cleveland Clinic
13944 Euclid Ave., East Cleveland, OH 44112
Dates: 6/12/2012 - 10/23/2012
Day / Time: Tuesdays; 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Chagrin Falls Market - sponsored by Cleveland Clinic
N Main St & N Franklin St, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022 (conveniently located at Band Stand Triangle Park)
Dates: 6/3/2012 - 10/21/2012
Day / Time: Sundays; 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Kamm's Corner Market / Fairview Hospital - sponsored by Cleveland Clinic
16906 Alberts Ave. Cleveland, OH 44111
Dates: year round
Days / Times: Sundays; 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Other markets supported by Cleveland Clinic:
Red Rock Farmer's Market in Aurora
The Church in Aurora Side Lawn
146 S. Chillicothe Road, Corner of SR43 and Rt.306
Dates: 7/11/2012 - 9/5/2012
Day / Times: Wednesdays; 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Geauga Fresh Farmers Market
South Russell Village hall parking lot, Rt. 306 (Chillicothe Rd.) and Bell St. South Russell, OH
Dates: 5/19/2012 - 9/29/2012
Day / Times: Saturdays; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Improving community access to healthy foods:
Ensuring affordability of healthy foods is important to health of our communities. To support broad access, several assistance programs are available to market shoppers
WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)
The FMNP is a dual purpose program which benefits both WIC participants and farmers. In the program, WIC participants are given five $3 coupons with which to purchase authorized fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs from authorized farmers at farmers’ markets and farm stands, such as North Union Farmers Market Association locations.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Ohio Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards are accepted at North Union Farmers Market locations, and Produce Perks are available a dollar-for-dollar matching program (up to $10) on an EBT card withdrawal to be spent on fruits and vegetables. Visit our website and the information booth at the farmers market for details.
USDA Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Coupons
Seniors can receive up to $50 in coupons at senior centers and nutrition centers. Coupons can be spent at Cleveland Clinic Community Farmers Markets operated by North Union Farmers Market Association. Call 216.621.8010 for participating Northeast Ohio locations.
City Fresh Fresh Stops
Fresh Stops offer a subscription-based model for families of all sizes and incomes.