The North Union Farmers Market was a tiny operation when it launched 20 years ago at Shaker Square. Fifteen vendors were invited to participate, but only six showed up to sell berries, sweet corn, tomatoes and apples to 500 shoppers.

“The rest of the farmers came to watch. Farmers at that time had been burned out by truck markets, where they didn’t make money or weren’t treated fairly,” recalled founder and executive director Donita Anderson. “The market was a whirlwind. In five minutes, everything was gone.”

The same anticipation for freshly picked homegrown produce, of course, still holds true today. (Peaches disappeared from Woolf Farms’ table within 10 minutes of opening this past Saturday, July 11). The exchanges between buyer and grower, however, are more profound.

The North Union Farmers Market has been a champion of the local foods movement in Northeast Ohio, evolving into a powerful web of 10 community markets that each year connects some 150 producers to 275,000 consumers. Anderson estimates the markets generate about $4 million in annual sales.

Shaker Square, which alone draws 9,000 customers weekly during peak season, is celebrating these milestones as part of its 20th year anniversary party this Saturday, July 18, during its normal business hours of 8 a.m. to noon. The festivities will include cake, live music, children’s activities and samples from Sasa, Fire Food and Drink and Edwins.

The market also will honor its founding vendors, such as Louis and Savery Rorimer of Snake Hill Farm in Bainbridge. The provider of sustainably raised beef, vegetables and maple syrup formed around the time of the Shaker Square market’s launch, and expanded its product offerings as business steadily grew.

“Markets are critical when you have a high-cost small operation,” Louis said. “For us, the farmers market is a direct outlet to a broad cross-section of the community. It’s also a valuable resource for connecting farmers who otherwise tend to lead solitary lives when we’re in the fields or on tractors all week long. We couldn’t have grown without it.”

A vision takes root

Anderson’s vision two decades ago was to create a farmers market that served as a vehicle for broader awareness about the economical, environmental and health benefits of locally produced foods.

“We chose to grow the market using only certified producers, which means that every grower sells directly from their farm to the consumer,” she said. “The farmers invest that money back into their farm.”

Selections from farmers and vendors increasingly have diversified through the years.

Artisan bakers, organic baby blanket makers, florists, salsa makers and other ancillary goods augment traditional farmers stands. (Wine vendors could be next, based on pending legislation in the Ohio House that would allow wine producers to sell at farmers markets.) Produce vendors offer multiple varietals of certain items like peppers, fava beans and berries, and even customize their crops based on a customer’s need.

“There’s this whole generation of young farmers in their late 20s or early 30s, leaving agriculture schools or getting their master’s degrees, and coming back to their family’s farm,” Anderson said. “They’re learning how to diversify and be profitable.”