Firsts & Originals: Farmers Markets in Ohio

From Presidents to the first traffic light, Ohio has a long history of “Firsts & Originals.” Among the first farmers markets in Ohio are the Findlay Market, located in Cincinnati and the Toledo Farmers’ Market. While they may be the first of their kind, they are among hundreds of farmers markets across Ohio that grow our food and feed our communities. 

In 1832, at the intersection of Monroe, Superior and Washington Streets, and the needs of farmers and shoppers, the Farmers Market of Toledo was established. Centrally located along the streetcar lines of Toledo, farmers sold live poultry, fruit, eggs, vegetables, and everything in between. Still today, this market is a bustling example of Ohioans’ connectivity to the land and its farmers. 

Twenty years later, in 1855, the Findlay Market in Cincinnati was erected using iron frame construction technology, which had been little used in the United States. On land donated by the estate of General James Findlay and Jane Irwin Findlay, the Findlay Market opened as an open-sided pavilion. Today, it is an enclosed market house and remains on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Many of Ohio’s farmers markets are the “firsts” in their community. Staff member of the Farmers Market Coalition, the national organization for farmers markets, Dar Wolnik is deep in research to write the history of the modern farmers market movement, which she suggests started around 1970.

“It’s no surprise that Ohio farmers were eager to join the new farmers markets, with Athens Farmers Market opening early in the first cluster and still thriving today.” 

Wolnik notes that, “the modern farmers markets were opened in (mostly) university towns, and were led by “back-to-landers” farmers, and sympathetic agricultural extension educators, intent on prioritizing sustainable methods of farming.” 

Ohio boasts more than 275 farmers markets, representing the best of our agricultural producers, food producers, entrepreneurs, community activism and revitalization. The Ohio Farmers Market Network looks forward to sharing the stories of this industry over the course of this year, celebrating our “Firsts & Originals,” our “Innovation & Industry.” We’ll lead you to delicious food and beautiful art that epitomizes the collaboration of communities and people across the state. 

Join us in our mission to support farmers market managers, producers and their stakeholders, in support of resilient, direct-to-consumer marketplaces and our celebration of America, Ohio, our history and our future.