Published Friday, August 21, 2026
As summer begins to wind down, the Conservatory’s Farmers Market continues to bring people together around fresh food, local businesses and opportunities to try something new. Now in its 16th year, the Farmers Market has become a cherished seasonal tradition, welcoming hundreds of visitors each Wednesday afternoon in the summer to support local growers, artisans and community organizations in a vibrant, family-friendly setting.
Since opening on June 3, this season’s market has attracted an average of nearly 475 visitors each week, with attendance topping 600 guests during one of our busiest markets in June. Shoppers explore a diverse selection of locally grown produce, baked goods, specialty foods, handmade products and health and beauty items while supporting small businesses from across Central Ohio.
The market also reflects the Conservatory’s commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive community space. This year, an average of 60% of weekly vendors are BIPOC-owned or women-owned, helping ensure that visitors can discover and support a wide variety of local entrepreneurs and producers.
One of the most popular features of the Farmers Market continues to be Veggie Champs, a hands-on educational program led by participants of the Conservatory’s Teen Corps program. Each week, children are invited to learn about and sample a featured fruit or vegetable, participate in an interactive activity, and earn Veggie Bucks to spend on fresh produce throughout the market.
For six-year-old Emma, who visited the market regularly with her mother during summer break, Veggie Champs became the highlight of each Wednesday afternoon. Earlier this season, Emma stopped by the booth to learn about kohlrabi, a vegetable she had never seen before. After helping Teen Corps members identify different parts of the plant and, after some hesitation, tasting a few crunchy slices, she used her Veggie Bucks to purchase one from a nearby farmer. Her mother later shared that Emma insisted on helping prepare it for dinner that evening and proudly told her family about the “funky vegetable” she had discovered at the Farmers Market. Moments like these demonstrate how simple experiences can help children build confidence around trying new foods and develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
To date, approximately 276 children have participated in Veggie Champs this season, sampling foods such as green smoothies, microgreens, snow peas and kohlrabi while learning where their food comes from. Veggie Champs is made possible thanks to the Franklin County Farm Bureau.
The Farmers Market is also an important part of the Conservatory’s efforts to increase access to nutritious, locally grown food. Through partnerships with EBT/SNAP, WIC, Produce Perks, and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, shoppers can use their benefits and access fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the season. These programs help make locally grown food more affordable and accessible for families across our community.
As we look ahead to the final weeks of the season, we are grateful for the vendors, volunteers, Teen Corps members, community partners and shoppers who make the Farmers Market possible. Together, they help create an experience that nourishes our community in more ways than one, through healthy food, meaningful connections, educational opportunities and the simple joy of gathering together.
The Conservatory Farmers Market will continue through September 16, 2026, every Wednesday from 3:30 to 6:30pm. We hope you’ll join us before the season comes to a close!
Special thanks to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and our Field to Table event sponsors, who make experiences like the Farmers Market possible.
