Come to the Open House

What are you doing this Saturday?

The way we see it, there are only two correct answers to that questions:

1. You're stopping by the Downtown Farmers' Market for the final day of their season.
2. You're coming by Local Roots Market for our open house!


Don't forget, this Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM, Local Roots will have the doors -- yes, even that funky bright carrot-colored front door! -- wide open to the community. Stop by and warm up with some hot coffee or cider, home-baked cookies from our volunteers, and maybe even a few samples from our producer members.

Members of the steering committee will be on hand to give tours of the building and answer questions about membership and upcoming events. We will also have tickets available for the first film in our film series, "Food, Inc." (showing Saturday, November 7).

We've spent time in the past couple of weeks sprucing things up, so stop by, check out the new look, and share in the excitement. (Not sure where we are? Click on the "Location and Hours" link to the right!)

And join us in growing Local Roots!

Getting Ready for the Holidays

Are you looking for ways to celebrate the holidays in a more local fashion? Local Roots has ideas for you!

On Friday, November 20, from 7 to 9:30 PM, Local Roots will join in the festivities of downtown Wooster's Window Wonderland with a community open house. Stop by to see our decorations, then step inside for hot coffee or cider, home-baked goods, and festive music to enhance the holiday spirit. Members of the steering committee and other volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about Local Roots and to welcome new members.

On Saturday, November 21, during the regular indoor farmers' market hours of 10 AM to 3 PM, Local Roots will host the first annual Holiday Market. Along with the excellent food you'll want on your Thanksgiving table, you'll find specialty baked goods, gifts made by local artists and crafters, lively music, and information about Local Roots membership.

We're also welcoming a very special guest to the Holiday Market: Ohio writer and farmer Gene Logsdon. Gene and his wife Carol work a "small-scale experimental farm" in Wyandot County, specializing in grass-fed livestock, sustainably grown grains, and fresh produce. Gene has written numerous books and magazine articles on farm-related issues, and eight of his books -- including All Flesh Is Grass, The Last of the Husbandmen, and Small-Scale Grain Raising -- will be available for purchase and for signing. Gene also writes at The Contrary Farmer blog, sharing his ongoing insights into modern agriculture and the state of our world today.

Come and join us, and make your holidays local!

"Fresh Food, Fresh Ideas"

Do you really know what you're eating? The Wooster Local Foods Cooperative, Inc., doing business as Local Roots Market and Cafe, will host a film series in November that will provide some food for thought.

On Saturday, November 7, at 6 PM, Local Roots will sponsor a showing of "Food, Inc." at The Big Picture, 116 E. South Street, Wooster. This film examines the nationwide food system, shining a light on some of the problems of the system and offering ideas for improvements. A reception and discussion of the film will follow at 8 PM in the Local Roots Market building at 140 S. Walnut Street.

For those who are unable to attend the November 7 screening, The Big Picture will be showing the film as a regular feature from Friday, November 6 through Thursday, November 12.


On Saturday, November 21, at 7 PM, Local Roots will screen "PolyCultures" at the Local Roots Market building. This locally-produced documentary offers a contrasting view of agriculture today by featuring various businesses and organizations around northeast Ohio that have chosen to reassert some local control over our food systems and to offer healthier, more sustainable choices. Director Tom Kondilas and producer Brad Masi will share additional thoughts after the film and take questions from the audience.

Tickets for both films will be $4, but Local Roots members will be able to attend the screening for "PolyCultures" for free with a valid membership card. Tickets for both films will be sold in advance at The Big Picture (for "Food, Inc." only) and at the Saturday markets (10 AM to 3 PM) at Local Roots.

Open House October 31

The Downtown Farmers' Market season is drawing to a close, and we salute Main Street Wooster and especially all the farmers, bakers, craft sellers, and other friends for another great year!

But the end of the outdoor farmers' market season doesn't have to mean the year's end for good local food. Why? Because we have the news you've been waiting for... Local Roots is almost ready to open!

On Saturday, October 31 -- the final day for the Downtown Farmers' Market -- Local Roots will hold an open house from 10 AM to 3 PM. Come and get a tour of the building, sign up for membership if you haven't already, and join us for coffee, hot cider, baked goods, and maybe even some good local music after you've stocked up on good produce at the farmers' market.

As we head into November, Local Roots Market will first look like an extension of the Downtown Farmers' Market, with producers setting up their tables and selling their goods individually. Once we have final approval from the Health Department, we will also have the online order system up and running so that cooperative members can order online and producers can keep their foods safe in in-house coolers or freezers.

(Remember, we'd love to have you join us! If you haven't signed up for membership yet, we'll have information and forms on hand on market days.)

November will be a busy month with other special events -- a film series and a holiday market -- so stay tuned for more news!

Why It's Good to Support Your Farmers

In the latest issue of Farming Magazine, Local Roots secretary Jennifer McMullen published an article outlining the history behind Local Roots and explaining the many reasons why the steering committee came together to develop a new year-round farmers' market in the area.

That article caught the eye of Ohio farmer and renowned author, Gene Logsdon (author of books such as The Contrary Farmer and All Flesh Is Grass). Logsdon found himself inspired by steering committee member Jessica Barkheimer's quote that, "No one without land should be without a job." Logsdon's thoughts on the importance of learning how to find sustenance from your land -- and we can support that growing part of our economy -- appear on the OrganicToBe.org web site.

We're pretty tickled! Not only is the word about Local Roots really starting to spread, but we're really at the cusp of a strong grassroots-driven push to return agriculture to its place of importance in local economies -- and to make local communities a little more self-reliant.

As always, we here at Local Roots salute our producer members, current and future. We recognize that you're doing a challenging job, but we appreciate all the effort you give.

And it won't be long before you find our producers' good food at the market!