During the warmer months of the year, downtown Wooster is home to an outdoor farmers’ market that has become a seasonal staple of the local community. Despite its popularity, however, the market is obviously forced to close with the arrival of winter.
The Wooster Local Foods Cooperative has thus decided to provide an enclosed area, to be called the Local Roots Market and Café, where farmers will be able to sell their products during the off season.
According to Jennifer McMullen, who is the secretary of the project’s steering committee and also the Government Information Associate on The College of Wooster’s Libraries’ staff, Local Roots was the invention of two local couples, Bill and Marlene Boyer and John and Besty Anderson.
The Boyers and the Andersons were inspired to action by their own personal connections to farms and agriculture, and were soon joined in their venture by various other interested individuals.
Local Roots Market and Café, which McMullen said is currently planned to open later this year, is intended to stimulate investment in the local economy and expand the area’s agricultural market, in addition to strengthening the connection between farmers and other town residents.
It will be operated as a cooperative and shares will be available for purchase with the market’s establishment.
Though all producers who wish to sell at the market will be required to obtain membership, customers may choose to do so or not.
“If you’re supporting people in your area, it’s good for everybody,” said McMullen.
The café will be a later addition to the market, which is the first priority for the project’s planners. Sustainable development is a key aspect of the market’s construction; Local Roots will work with the Wayne County Sustainable Energy Network to make the building chosen to house the market as energy-efficient as possible.
According to McMullen, the establishment of the café is expected to increase the opportunities farmers have to sell their products. For example, if there is a large strawberry crop then some producers can sell the fruit out in the market, while others can make jam or other strawberry-based goods to sell in the café, McMullen explained. In addition, only local food will be used in the production of the goods sold in the café.
Local Roots is also intended to be a center of community involvement and provide services that educate local residents abou the benefits of healthy eating.
McMullen added that she hopes the Local Roots can also form a close connection to the College. She said that the farmers’ market has thus far worked with the College’s Director of Hospitality Services, Chuck Wagers, to bring in local food to serve at campus dining halls and organize events, and she anticipates the future market will continue to do so.
In addition, she said that Local Roots will offer a reduced price of membership shares to students of both Wooster High School and the College.
The Wooster Local Foods Cooperative will hold an informational meeting on Local Roots Market at the Wooster branch of the Wayne County Public Library this Monday, May 4, 2009.
Members of the community are invited to attend to take part in the discussion and learn more about the project.
For additional information on the Local Roots Market and Café, please visit www.LocalRootsWooster.com or e-mail info@localrootswooster.com.
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