Thought I'd start up a thread on this topic. Seems the idea of locally grown produce is gaining traction here, thanks to the City Fresh program and other initiatives.

 

First, here's a tidbit from Tremont. This will be great for the neighborhood, which doesn't have its own greengrocer.

 

from Friday Sept. 22 PD:

 

Tremont Market:

And you thought Tremont was just for edgy art, imported beers and trendy dinners? Now the revitalized Cleveland neighborhood is serving up locally grown vegetables, at a weekly Tremont Market. Launched last weekend, the market runs Sundays through Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the empty lot across from 777 Starkweather Ave. It features fresh local produce, handmade arts and crafts and live music.

 

 

Here's an (abridged) article about City Fresh:

 

Fresh idea takes produce from growers to buyers

By DAVID PLATA

Staff Writer

 

Aug. 11, 2005

 

The green beans, Hungarian peppers and green tomatoes shine in the burning sun, set on outdoor tables, enticing people walking by to stop, to have a look and buy.

 

Also among the bounty are cabbages, cucumbers, eggplants, red potatoes, yellow peppers and two types of onions big Vidalias and long green scallions.

 

"That's right. It's not just onions. It's two different types of onions," says Maurice Small, coordinator of the City Fresh community food project, which operates the stand. All the food is fresh, picked the same day...

 

www.sunnews.com

 

Finally, check out Green City Blue Lake's local foods and markets page: http://www.gcbl.org/food/local-markets

The Agricultural Marketing Services Branch of the USDA also maintains a list of farmers' markets throughout the state, alphabetized by city: http://www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/states/ohio.htm#C.

 

For those who do not live in close proximity to a farmer's market, or who prefer to buy produce straight from the farm, EcoCity maintains a list of Community Sustained Agriculture sites throughout Northeast Ohio: http://www.ecocitycleveland.org/ecologicaldesign/sustain/food_systems/csa_resources.html.

I don't think this was posted anywhere. Heinen's really is a great homegrown company. Too bad they are so suburban focused, but hopefully that might change in the near future. I'd really like to see them open a flagship store downtown or University Circle. I think their cafe concept would be especially profitable and incentive to open up in a commercial district and capture the lunch market. Maybe they could start openning up smaller neighborhood/cafe concepts in general; somthing like what Dean & Deluca has done in Manhattan. Panera and Au bon Pain are kind of boring. Constantino's is an okay option. Maybe Constantino's could have the Warehouse District and Heinens could open up on Euclid or E.12th. Maybe the Galleria would be a good move.

 

BTW, my parents- both Chicago transplants - love Cleveland and the quality of life. My mother regularly sites Heinen's though as the number one reason why she'd never live anywhere else.

 

About Heinen's Fine Foods

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Family-owned grocery chain

 

Founded: 1929, by Joseph Heinen

Headquarters: Warrensville Heights

Owners: Twins Jeff and Tom Heinen

 

Number of stores: 16, ranging in size from 20,000- square-foot Hudson Village Market store to 60,000-square-foot Brecksville store

 

Employees: 2,000

 

Web site: www.heinens.com

 

 

 

From market, to market

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Janet H. Cho

Plain Dealer

 

Walter Zimmerman stands over a bin overflowing with giant golden melons and starts his auctioneer's chant.

 

"One hundred and one Aphrodite melons, 101. What'll you give me? What do I hear?"

 

About 20 buyers standing across from him at a recent Holmes County produce auction offer their bids, some lifting their fingers, others simply nodding their John Deere caps.

 

Front and center stands the boyish-looking Terry Romp, the newest produce buyer for Heinen's Fine Foods, armed with his own shopping list of what the 16 store managers have asked him to find. He catches the auctioneer's eye and nods, winning the lot with the highest bid...

 

www.cleveland.com

 

Plain Dealer News Researcher Cheryl

Diamond contributed to this story.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

[email protected], 216-999-5069

 

 

^hey Vulpster, I heard that there are some local tobacco farmers that you may want to hit up. ;)

I've heard that there are tobacco farms in Ohio. I've never been to one.  They are disappearing fast. Maybe I will start a cigarette company in Cleveland to save the farms and create new jobs.

Sounds good.  Start a whiskey company while you're at it. We are exporting too many dollars out of the city. Buy local and get drunk!

We do need some more liquor production. Korski Vodka isn't something I'm very proud of.

I highly doubt you'd ever see one in the city proper.  They love their Cleveland Hts., Shaker Beachwood shoppers.  I remember as a kid people got dressed to go grocery shopping at Heinen's on Chagrin/Lee!   

 

I like Heinen's - I shop there - but its so NOT urban.

From GreenCityBlueLake, 09.25.06:

 

Let them eat shrimp

Submitted by Kim Palmer on September 25, 2006 - 5:37pm.

Posted in Local foods and markets | Kim Palmer's blog | login or register to post comments »

 

Harvest time in Ohio—the squash, the corn, the apples, the shrimp.

 

Yes, shrimp. In fact, it is shrimp harvest time at Calala’s Water Haven in New London, Ohio and because of that students at Case Western Reserve University dining halls will dine on locally-raised shrimp tonight ...

"My mother regularly sites Heinen's though as the number one reason why she'd never live anywhere else."

 

When I lived in Westlake, I would always go to the Heinens in Bay (or Lake Road Market) - it was so much more pleasant than anywhere else. Clean, well-stocked, knowledgeable and helpful staff - and honestly, the prices were competitive with other grocery stores like Giant Eagle or Tops. They just happen to have more upscale merchandise next to the bargain-priced staples.

 

"Buy local and get drunk!"

 

You don't have to tell ME twice! :drunk: