After profiling Columbus Winter Farmer's Market last year, I returned last weekend for the opening of their 2010-2011 season in a new location, the Clintonville Women's Club at 3951 N High Street.

With the change of venue comes a large uncrowded parking lot, a beautiful stage with sound system for musicians, and larger hospitality area where visitors can sit and enjoy their purchases. The market will be open this Saturday, November 13 from 10 am - 1 pm. Future dates, two per month, are published on their website.

I chatted with one of the market's founders, Cathy Krist of Carousel Watergardens. She emphasized that the Columbus Winter Farmer's Market was started "by farmers for farmers and funded by farmers to direct market their value added farm products to their consumers in the Columbus area." She added "Our move to the woman's club has enabled us to offer lunches and beverages to our customers catered by the club. The chef has some scrumptious menus planned throughout the market season."

Though I do hope the market gains visitors as the season progresses, I loved shopping when traffic was light at midday and I could chat with the vendors. Beyond superior quality products and the greater economic impact of shopping farmer's market versus grocery store, the best benefit to me is being part of a community built around food. In less than an hour this week, I talked with a half dozen vendors and learned:

Brezel Power pretzels is the newest addition in the North Market! Congratulations!
You can get free soap at the market by being the first visitor or two to correctly answer Oh Lather!'s trivia question. I did not correctly answer "Who was elected governor of the confederate states on this day in 1861?" (Answer: Jefferson Davis)
Luna Burger is attending the Fabulous Food Show in Cleveland this coming weekend. Good luck spreading the vegan local burger love, ladies!
The owner of Honey Health Farm, absent from last week's market, is ill with heart issues. My thoughts are with him and his family.
Osage Lane Creamery has a new goat cheese CSA program and a goat's milk herdshare.

With coffee, produce, meat, cheese, baked goods and more available, the Columbus Winter Farmer's Market is an ideal place to buy holiday gifts, shop for local foods, or meet a friend for lunch. As Cathy says, "enjoy the atmosphere, the food, the products and plenty of down home farm hospitality."