Alliance Farmers' Market 

The Alliance Farmers' Market was established in April of 2008 when a small group of interested community members saw a niche for local growers and producers.  Combining the resources of several individuals and groups and securing sponsorships from Mount Union College, Alliance Community Hospital, The Alliance Review and WDPN Radio, the group established a site in downtown Alliance and decided to host the Market every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 5 through October 18.

Inspired by the book "Plenty" by Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon, which was the One Book One Community read for 2008, the organizers decided that the Alliance Farmers' Market would feature only locally grown or produced food. 

Members of the organizing committee are:

• Mary Ellen Rohr-Destefano, Operations Manager
• Ginny Daniel, Secretary
• Meg Mundy, Mayor's Green Task Force
• Teresa Estock, Mayor's Green Task Force
• Peter Schneller, Mayor's Green Task Force
• Dorsey Ney, Owner/Operator, Healthy Heart
• Joyce and Chuck Onaitis, Jurists
• Rich Kindler, Downtown Merchant
• Harry Paidas, Mount Union College

They're Talking About Us

The following story appeared in The Alliance Review on June 28, 2008:

ALIANCE, Ohio --Eating locally will be more convenient than ever starting July 5 when the Alliance Farmers’ Market debuts at the corner of Main and Mechanic near the historic red caboose.

            The Alliance Farmers’ Market is an entity comprised of local volunteers who have secured vendors, and continue to take applications, to sell only locally grown or produced foods.  Every Saturday from July 5 until October 18, the Alliance Farmers’ Market will be operating from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and will feature educational programs and family entertainment in addition to fresh, seasonal products.

            According to Alliance Farmers’ Market spokesperson, Harry Paidas, the entertainment and educational aspects are what will set the Alliance Market apart.  “We have been able to secure sponsorships from Mount Union College, Alliance Community Hospital, The Alliance Review and WDPN Radio, so we have some of Alliance’s finest resources behind this project,” Paidas said.  “I don’t know of too many farmers’ markets that have combined the resources of a college, a hospital and the city’s media along with endorsements from the city and the Mayor’s Green Task Force.  This is truly a team community effort and promises to be a big hit for the area.”

            Paidas said a tremendous amount of behind-the-scenes work has been done and will be ongoing.  The concept took hold at a meeting on April 20 when an organizing meeting called by Dorsey Ney, owner and operator of Healthy Heart Healthy Pleasures, was called to discuss the possibility.  A total of 11 people attended the meeting and the ground rules were established.  Six locations were considered and the current location was chosen.

            One of the fundamental guidelines is that only vendors who grow locally will be allowed to sell and a jury has been appointed to assure that vendors are properly screened.  In addition, Mary Ellen Rohr –Destefano, a local farmer who operates Clover Hill Farms, has been appointed manager of the Alliance Farmers’ Market. 

            “We are truly excited to be able to offer this opportunity to local vendors and our residents,” Rohr-Destefano said.  “Since we are new, the word has been slow to get out to vendors but we anticipate we will have about six vendors for our opening in July and that the number will grow by late summer and fall.  Here in northeast Ohio, most of the fruits and vegetables aren’t ready until later in the summer but right now we have plenty of berries and some of the heartier vegetables as well as herbs, honey and baked goods.”

            Paidas said the Market recently got word that Maize Valley Farms will be a participant and he believes the endeavor will gather momentum later in the summer when vendors have an abundance of produce.  “We are foregoing a grand opening on July 5 because it could take a couple of weeks to work out the kinks and to build the  proper momentum, but I believe this will become the place to be on Saturday mornings by summer’s end,” Paidas said.  “We have commitments from some ‘name’ local farms and orchards who are excited about coming to Alliance once their produce is ready.”

Call Us Today!

Please contact us! We look forward to hearing from you.

Call:   330-823-6260

or

330-823-8961

E-mail:

veggie@alliancefarmersmarket.com