Bundle up: There’s still time to shop the farmers markets before they

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Twenty-seven years ago, Donita Anderson arrived in Cleveland from Michigan with two kids, another on the way and a desire to not only feed their young stomachs — but also their minds.

Anderson found access to freshly harvested, Ohio-grown food lacking — unless you picked it yourself. That was great initially, but soon her kids grew disinterested, and that was that, she said.

So, the forward-thinking Anderson founded North Union Farmers Market. The thought behind this venture was to bring the farm to the people instead of the other way around.

Today, the North Union Farmers Market has nine different locations around Northeast Ohio, including at Shaker Square and Crocker Park in Westlake. The latter two remained open past September this year when the other seven closed for the season.

“When you eat locally, you are following good health,” Anderson said at the Shaker Square market.

For example, she said, “Pumpkin is good for your brain, and green vegetables help you stay warm in the winter.”

North Union goes out to the farms it sources from and certifies what they grow. They look at seed orders and ensure that farmers grow those selections. Many farmers come 100 miles to showcase their goods at the markets, though the average distance is about 40 miles.

The markets also offer locally sourced personal care items, like soaps, lotions and candles.

On a recent Saturday morning, Cheryl Layshock of Morning Song Gardens juggled customers while maintaining her eclectic mix of handmade candles and her soaps, with swirls of strawberry red and chocolate brown. She also offers a new liquid hand soap that uses natural ingredients that don’t strip your skin of natural oils.

Across the walkway, Freeman Keim, 13, welcomed educating customers on the origins of the fresh produce at Weaver’s Truck Patch. The flawless array of veggies included yellow and purple cauliflower, freshly picked collard and kale greens, and rusty orange sweet potatoes waiting for a smattering of brown sugar and butter.

Throughout the market’s long walkway, eyes are met with a sea of bright green lettuces, seasonal fruits, pastries and a coffee stand.

Although the Thanksgiving turkeys have sold out at Shaker Square, there are a couple of stands, like Mill Gate Farms, that sell 100 percent grass-fed beef, in addition to registered Berkshire Pork (a brand of pork from Berkshire, England).

Both of the North Union Farmers Markets require cash payments. Market officials have implemented a system of selling tokens in increments of $5 for those without cash on hand.

The Shaker Square market is open from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Crocker Park, which is smaller than Shaker, is open from 9 a.m. to 1…