Programs and Services
Taste Education
Kitchen boredom setting in? Want to try something new? Curious for a new recipe?
The Worthington Farmers Market will host "Taste Education" events where we will inspire healthy eating, and connect you with your food and its producer(s).
This series will reflect the diversity of our ingredients and the creativity of our dedicated volunteers who prepare them. Samples, recipes, printed information, or the raw ingredients themselves may be a few ways you'll enjoy our "Taste Education" series.
When does the market open/close?
We don’t open or close—we just move inside or out! The Worthington Farmers Market is central Ohio’s only year round market, operating for 50 weeks of the year, closing only the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and during one week in September to make way for the annual Worthington Chamber of Commerce Market Day event.
Taste Education
Compost Exchange
Community Table
Knife Sharpening
Market Fit
Market Sprouts
Music in the Market
SNAP and Produce Perks
Yoga at the Market
Yoga at the Market
Do good for your mind, body and being by enjoying the benefits of yoga, while visiting the Worthington Farmers Market!
Classes are free and open to everyone, regardless of ability. For those who would like to make a donation of any amount, please visit the market information table.
MARKET FIT with Worthington Community Center
Eating fresh food is good. Having a healthy lifestyle is good. Doing both at the farmers market is better!
Join the Worthington Community Center for one hour, every first and third Saturday May through October for MARKET FIT, starting at 8:00 AM. Classes and instructors will vary, but students can expect classes such as Boot Camps, Thai Chi and Zumba, to name a few. Expand what it means to be healthy and be MARKET FIT with us!
Classes are open to all, regardless of experience. Customers with a "Worthington Community Center Group Fitness Card" can attend by using his/her card or signing in with the instructor. Don't have a card? Don't worry! Join a class for $8. Payment will be accepted on-site starting 15 minutes before the start of class.
Music in the Market
We feature a vibrant mix of local and visiting musicians, both featured and impromptu street performers (buskers) that add to the festive atmosphere of the Worthington Farmers Market.
Music that is upbeat, family-friendly and skillfully presented is welcome.
We have have two types of performance opportunities at our farmers markets; both play for tips:
Busking: performers who show up on market day and sign up for a space, if available. Buskers are not guaranteed space and will be asked to leave if they are disruptive or unsuitable for the markets. Acoustic is required.
Scheduled music: performers who are an appropriate fit for our markets may contact us to arrange for a date and time to perform on the Dewey's plaza. Music should be of a moderate volume, family-friendly, enjoyable skill level, and positive attitude.
Several guidelines to keep in mind:
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music is kept at a low volume so as not to interfere with market conversations and sales;
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performers play for tips only;
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the market does not provide any equipment;
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buskers must check in with the market manager when they show up, and are given a designated spot/time to play, if available.
SNAP and Produce Perks
It's easy to use your Ohio Direction card to buy fresh, healthy food at the Worthington Farmers Market.
At the market information booth, the market staff will swipe your EBT card for the amount you request. You will then be given wooden market tokens to buy anything except cut flowers, dog food, alcohol, and ready to eat foods. The tokens never expire and can be used at our markets at any time.
With support of the City of Columbus and Wholesome Wave, Produce Perks provides individuals enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) with a monetary incentive to purchase produce at participating farmers markets.
Knife Sharpening
Jim Allen is The Market Sharpener.
The Market Sharpener sharpens knives, kitchen tools, scissors and garden tools every week at the Worthington Farmers Market.
Jim has been sharpening for years, and trained with Steve Bottorff, one of the foremost authorities on sharpening, sharpening equipment and history.
Market Sprouts
Market Sprouts is a fun and seasonally focused activity for our small market shoppers (generally under the age of 12) inspired by the farmers market, our producers and community. From scavenger hunts to vegetable painting, cookie decorating to bird feeders, young shoppers can learn the benefits of eating healthy, learn something new about their environment, or just simply have a little fun.
Market Sprouts activities are hosted at the information table every third Saturday from 9:00 am – 12 pm. Ask a Worthington Farmers Market volunteer about participating in or volunteering for the program!
Making the market fun for your little ones!
Compost Exchange
Ray Leard, Chief Composter of The Compost Echange offers residents of the Columbus area with a service of food waste diversion with his food waste “drop off center” located at the Worthington Farmers Market every Saturday.
To close the recycling loop, The Compost Exchange has established a relationship with the Linworth Alternative School garden program to provide them with the organic materials collected each week.
Community Table
We are proud to offer the market as a resource to Worthington area organizations. The market invites community organizations to share information about their work in the community with our market goers.
Organizations with a primary focus in line with the Worthington Farmers Market will be considered for participation. Specifically, we ask that partnering organizations have their major focus in at least one of these areas:
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Charitable 501(c)(3) organizations.
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Organizations that promote Ohio foods.
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Organizations that enhance the community, or those who sponsor community improvement projects.
Limited sales are permitted for certain products. If you meet the above criteria and are interested in participating in our market, click here for the community table application.
