(This article has been updated to reflect a time change for the new market.)
COLUMBUS — Farmers markets provide an opportunity for neighbors to come together and support locally grown food and other local vendors. With several markets in the greater Columbus area already, the west side has been noticeably lacking. Ruth Thurgood Mundy and Juliette Lonsert, both Westgate neighborhood residents, set out to change this, and this summer will be the first season of the Westgate Farmers Market.
Thurgood Mundy, a five-year resident of Westgate, and Lonsert, a newer resident of the community, both felt strongly that a market would not only bring together the area residents but also meet one of the major needs of the west side neighborhood.
“The west side has long been a bit of a food desert,” said Thurgood Mundy. “We hope that a farmers market will bring vendors to the neighborhood with the kinds of fresh produce and local foods that our neighbors have been asking for, for quite some time.”
Neighborhood needs
The Westgate Farmers Market intends to accept SNAP and WIC benefits, as well as senior nutrition coupons in an effort to truly meet the needs of the surrounding neighborhoods.
“We know that there are quite a few markets in Columbus for vendors to choose from,” said Lonsert. “It’s our mission to find vendors that want to join us in bringing a positive event like this to the residents of the west side and meet this area need.”
The market will run June-October, the first and third Saturday of the month from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. It will be held on the lawn at the West Gate Masonic Lodge, located at 2925 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43204. A link to vendor applications can be found on the Market’s Facebook page, or by contacting the group directly.
For more information about the Westgate Farmers Market, or to find out how you can become a vendor, event sponsor, or volunteer, contact farmersmarketwestgate@gmail.
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