Sticking to the Mission!

I’ve received many suggestions about how the Andover Community Farmers Market should be run. Some people have asked why the market isn’t on Saturday. Others have asked why I don’t allow craft vendors.

Since these questions continue to come up, I’d like to explain the philosophy behind the market.

Since taking on the responsibility of organizing the Andover Community Farmers Market, every decision I’ve made has come back to one simple question:

“Will this help local farmers and food producers succeed?”

That question has guided every decision I’ve made, and it will continue to do so.

That is why the market is held on Friday.

Within our region there is one farmers market on Wednesday, one on Thursday, Andover on Friday, four on Saturday, and two on Sunday. There are only so many farmers and food producers serving our area, and many have spent years building relationships with those established Saturday markets.

If I moved the Andover market to Saturday, we wouldn’t suddenly have more farmers. We would simply be asking them to leave markets where they’ve already built a customer base and made long-term commitments. Most wouldn’t—and I wouldn’t expect them to.

People often see farmers standing behind a table for a few hours each week. What they don’t always see are the days of work that happen before the market opens: planting, harvesting, caring for livestock, washing produce, making jams, collecting eggs, packaging products, loading vehicles, setting up, selling, tearing down, and then starting all over again. Friday allows many of them to participate in Andover without competing directly with four established Saturday markets. That wasn’t a decision based on convenience—it was a decision based on listening to the people that make this market possible.

The same philosophy explains why this farmers market is not a general vendor or craft market.

There are many wonderful craft shows and artisan events throughout our region, and they deserve our support. But this market was created to give farmers and food producers a place where they are the focus. I believe our community deserves a market where people know they can come specifically for locally grown and locally produced food.

I understand that some people would rather shop on Saturday or would enjoy seeing craft vendors. Those are perfectly reasonable preferences. But my responsibility is to build a market that gives farmers and food producers the best opportunity to succeed—not simply to create the event that appeals to the widest audience.

While these conversations are taking place, there is also important work happening behind the scenes. Through Healthy Roots Community, we are working toward bringing SNAP, WIC, and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program to the Andover Community Farmers Market. Those efforts take planning, partnerships, and persistence, but they reflect the reason this market exists: to strengthen our local food system and make fresh, locally produced food available to more people in our community.

The mission is simple: Supporting local farmers and food producers, strengthening our local food system, supporting our local businesses, and building a market that can grow and thrive for the benefit of the entire community.

Thank you to everyone who has supported that mission. I hope you’ll continue to stand with our farmers, our food producers, and the future of the Andover Small Business Community and the Andover Community Farmers Market.

Andover Community Farmers Market – Mission Statement

Andover Community Farmers Market - Mission Statement

The Andover Community Farmers Market exists to strengthen our local food system by supporting farmers and food producers, connecting our community with fresh, locally produced agricultural products, and preserving regional agriculture for future generations.

We are committed to creating a welcoming, farmer-focused marketplace where locally produced agricultural products always come first while encouraging visitors to support the brick-and-mortar businesses that have invested in and serve our community year-round.

Our guiding principle is simple: Every decision will strengthen our farmers and food producers, enrich our community, and contribute to a resilient local food system and economy.

🥚 🥚🥚EGGS🥚🥚🥚

🥚 Ohio Egg Producers: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

If you raise chickens or ducks and sell eggs from your farm, farm stand, or at a farmers market, Ohio law changed in late 2025. Many small producers are still operating under the old rules, so I wanted to share what the current law says.

Who is considered a Small Egg Producer?

Under House Bill 96 of the 136th Ohio General Assembly, effective October 1, 2025, Ohio created a new category called a Small Egg Producer. If you maintain 500 or fewer laying birds (including chickens, ducks, and other laying poultry), you fall into this category.

The law amended Ohio Revised Code § 3715.021, removing small egg producers from the definition of a food processing establishment.

What changed?

If you qualify as a Small Egg Producer:

✅ You are no longer required to register with or be inspected by the Ohio Department of Agriculture as a food processing establishment in order to sell your own eggs directly to consumers.

Your responsibilities under Ohio law

The law removed unnecessary registration requirements, but it did not remove food safety requirements.

Eggs offered for sale should:

• Be clean, wholesome, and free of cracks.

• Be kept refrigerated at 45°F or below during storage, transportation, and while being offered for sale.

• Be sold in clean cartons that accurately identify the eggs inside.

Each carton should include:

• Producer’s name and address

• Quantity

• Date packed

• “Ungraded” or “Unclassified,” unless the eggs have been officially graded

• “Mixed Size,” if applicable

• Safe handling instructions

If you reuse egg cartons, all previous information must be completely covered or removed so there is no confusion about who produced the eggs or how they were graded.

What about duck eggs?

Duck eggs may also be sold by qualifying small egg producers. They are subject to the same food safety, refrigeration, and labeling requirements as chicken eggs.

Where can you sell your eggs?

Qualifying small egg producers may sell eggs directly to consumers from:

🥚 Their farm

🥚 A roadside or farm stand

🥚 A farmers market

🥚 Other direct-to-consumer locations, provided they comply with Ohio’s food safety and labeling requirements.

The purpose of House Bill 96 was to reduce unnecessary regulation for Ohio’s small farms while maintaining important food safety standards for consumers. It recognizes that small producers can sell directly to the public without being regulated as food processing establishments.

There has been a great deal of confusion since these changes took effect, so I hope this summary helps clarify the current law for Ohio’s small egg producers.

Please feel free to share this post with anyone who raises and sells eggs in Ohio. The more accurate information we share, the better we can support our local farmers while ensuring everyone is operating under the current law.

One final thought: The goal of state law is to provide consistency throughout Ohio so that farmers and producers understand the rules no matter where they sell. While local governments have authority over many local matters, any additional local requirements should be supported by a valid ordinance or other legal authority and should not conflict with current Ohio law. Clear, consistent rules benefit everyone—farmers, consumers, and local governments alike.

Thank you!

We want to thank Healthy Roots Community for sponsoring the Andover Community Farmers Market. 

They are providing the insurance for the Market and along with OSU-Extension have really helped us get off the ground. 

Both of these organizations are now working hard to make it so we can accept SNAP, WIC, and the Senior Nutrition Program!

We also want to thank the surrounding Farmers Market for their unwavering support!

Market Schedule Update

Why are we changing the Day? There are 5 Farmers Markets in our area, and farmers are already committed to be at those markets.


Why in the afternoon? It is the time of day that some growers have expressed an interest in.


Why July and not June? That is when more crops will be ready to pick.


All of these reasons came from the growers themselves!


It's a funny thing about wanting to create a Farmers Market. You actually need Farmers and they actually need something to sell!


The Andover Community Farmers Market will run from July 10th to October 2nd.
It will be held every Friday from 2 PM to 7 PM.


(Some farmers will arrive at 2 PM and leave at 6 PM, and some may arrive at 3 PM and leave at 7 PM)

Farmers Market (Not a Craft Show)

 Our market is dedicated to supporting local agriculture. As part of our agreement with Andover Township, vendors must offer at least 50% farm-grown or farm-produced items from their own farm—such as fruits, vegetables, honey, maple syrup, mushrooms, or value-added products (like relishes, jellies, and pickles) made from their own harvest and prepared in accordance with state regulations.

The Township has generously allowed use of the Square with the understanding that this remains a farmer-focused market, not a weekly festival. For that reason, we are not accepting craft-only vendors or activities that shift the focus away from agriculture.

(Every Vendor Will Be Vetted)

Rules & Regulations

 

Andover Community Farmers Market

Rules & Regulations Sheet

Market Purpose

The Andover Community Farmers Market is a producer-based agricultural market that supports local farmers and provides fresh, locally grown products to the community.

Agriculture is the priority.

1. Producer-Based Requirement

• Vendors must grow, raise, or harvest the primary products they sell.

• At least 50% of booth inventory must be agricultural products grown or raised by the Vendor.

• Value-added items must be made primarily from ingredients produced by the Vendor.

• Resale of commercially produced baked goods, processed foods, or wholesale produce is prohibited.

Market Management reserves the right to verify production practices.


2. Approved Product List

• Vendors may only sell products approved in their application.

• Any additions must be approved in writing before sale.


3. Attendance

• Vendors must notify Market Management at least 24 hours in advance if absent.

• Vendors must arrive on time and remain until market closing unless sold out.

• Repeated unexcused absences may result in removal.


4. Setup & Safety

• Vendors must provide their own tents, tables, and equipment.

• Tents must be weighted (recommended minimum 40 lbs per leg).

• No staking into township grounds without permission.

• Electrical cords must be secured safely.


5. Cleanliness

• Vendors must keep booth space clean.

• All trash must be removed at the end of the day.

• Space must be left in its original condition.


6. Insurance

• Vendors must provide proof of $1,000,000 general liability insurance.

• Andover Township and Andover Community Farmers Market must be listed as Additional Insured.

• No vendor may set up without proof of insurance on file.


7. Compliance

Vendors must comply with:

• Ohio Cottage Food laws

• Temporary food licensing (if applicable)

• Proper labeling requirements

• Health Department regulations


8. Conduct

• Professional conduct is required.

• No aggressive selling.

• No political campaigning or unauthorized solicitation.

• No subleasing of booth space.


9. Enforcement

Violation of rules may result in:

• Verbal warning

• Written warning

• Suspension

• Removal without refund

Producer Requirement Initial Page

Producer Certification & Inventory Requirement

The Andover Community Farmers Market is a producer-based agricultural market.

By initialing below, Vendor certifies:

• I grow, raise, or harvest at least 50% of the agricultural products sold at my booth.

• Any value-added products I sell are made primarily from ingredients grown, raised, or harvested by me.

• I do not resell commercially manufactured baked goods, processed foods, or wholesale produce.

• I understand that misrepresentation may result in immediate removal from the Market.

Vendor Application

 

Click HERE to access the Vendors Application Form. 

Welcome Vendors

Thank you for considering becoming a vendor at the Andover Community Farmers Market.

So what makes Andover special?

At first glance, we are a small village — just 2,300 residents through the winter — nestled along historic Route 6. But when summer arrives, everything changes. Our population swells to more than 23,000 as seasonal residents return and visitors pour into the region.

Tourism here is not just steady — it’s significant. Each year, more people visit Pymatuning Lake than the Statue of Liberty. That brings energy, opportunity, and customers.

Summer in Andover is alive with activity. The Flea Market draws crowds every weekend. Downtown features unique shops, antiques, and second-hand treasures. Anglers come from near and far for some of the best fishing in the region. And most recently, the new Rails-to-Trails path has added even more foot traffic and outdoor enthusiasts.

And now, we are proud to add one more reason for people to gather:

The Andover Community Farmers Market.

We invite you to be part of it.

Yes, it's true!

 

Summer in Northeast Ohio brings an incredible abundance of farm-grown food.

The Andover Community Farmers Market will feature regional growers offering:

Fresh fruits

Specialty vegetables

Farm eggs

Mushrooms

Honey

Pure maple syrup

And so much more!

Support our local farmers! 

Shop Small! Shop Local!

Join us Saturdays on the Square in Andover, this summer.

Follow this page for vendor announcements and updates.

Welcome

Welcome to the Andover Community Farmers Market.

We are excited to bring this to our Village.

It will be located on the Square in Andover.

We are scheduling these markets to run from 

July 10th through October 3rd.

Every Friday from 2:00 to 7:00.