The Economic & Community Development Institute will partner with the popular Easton Farmers Market through a unique sponsorship, allowing ECDI the opportunity to give their clients valuable access to the Easton faithful.
Beginning Thursday, June 2 and each preceding Thursday through August, three ECDI clients will be featured each week, selling their unique goods and services. Notable clients will include MMELO, the popular confectionary company that hosted a pop-up at Easton during the winter season, as well as recognizable local brands OH! Chips and Rambling House Soda.
The Easton Farmers Market, in collaboration with Ohio Proud and The Ohio State University, has supported Ohio businesses for six years running, looking for ways to enhance the market each year. Heidi Maybruck, Easton’s Market Manager, believes ECDI will be a natural fit.
“Creating a farmers market was the perfect way to support one of Easton’s core principals: sustainability,” Maybruck said. “Giving our Central Ohio small farmers and local food artisans a platform to sell their homegrown items gives our patrons access to more LOCAL foods.”
ECDI programs like the Food Fort and the Women’s Business Center of Ohio provide small business owners with sustainable, affordable business models as they operate in the ever-changing small-business climate.
Since 2011, the Food Fort has supported local food-based businesses by providing clients access to a fully licensed commercial kitchen, as well as commissary space and additional training and one-on-one technical assistance, allowing startup owners easier entry into the small business sector, without substantial upfront costs.
“Our clients are excited for the opportunity to get their products in front of the excellent consumer base Easton provides,” said ECDI Marketing & Communications Manager Kevin Brennan. “It’s a great way for them to extend their brand to reach brand new customers.”
In addition to three clients being featured weekly, ECDI will also have company representatives on hand each week at the Easton Farmers Market, providing interested entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn more about the services available to them throughout Central Ohio. Other ECDI clients that will be appearing at the market include: Bento Go, Boline’s Apothecary, Columbus Kayak, Gluten & Grain Free Gourmet, JC’s Sweet Tea, Kosher 614, Little Ice Cream Shoppe, Nay’s Creative Ways, Pulp Juice and Smoothie Bar, Secret Garden Bakery, Speakeasy Bakery, Sweet Smelling Savours, Trinity Choppers, and Wooden Shoe Coffee.
In addition to the vendors featured each week, Yelp! Columbus will feature local chefs providing cooking demonstrations to Easton shoppers. A lineup of local musicians will also provide the acoustic soundtrack for each summer evening. It’s evident that “support local” is not lost in any aspect of the popular market.
“Supporting local and buying local is not a fad…it’s here to stay,” claimed Maybruck. “Our consumers want to know where their food comes from and meet the people behind the business. The camaraderie and lasting friendships we have made over the last five years…. it has been so humbling to see our market vendors have such success. We are excited for ECDI and their clients to also experience that!”
— The Easton Farmers Market, located on the Town Square, behind Brio Tuscan Grille, begins June 2 and will be held every Thursday from 4 PM – 7 PM, through August. For a comprehensive list of all market vendors as well as scheduled events, including family-focused activities, go to www.eastonfarmersmarket.org.
For more information on the robust services ECDI provides small businesses and budding entrepreneurs, visit ecdi.org. —
Photo via Easton Farmers Market Facebook page.
