The Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market (CVFM), opened for the summer season in early May in Howe Meadow at Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP)—making the transition from the winter market at the Old Trail School, to the summer market season, when vendors peddle seasonal fruits and vegetables, flowers, meats, and artisanal products in the warmer growing season.

Root vegetables for sale.In the winter months fresh produce is still available as vendors peddle their produce grown using innovative methods to grow and sell hydroponic greens, winter squash, and high tunnel cold crops like potatoes and carrots.

The year-round Farmers Market is the only farmers market located inside a U.S. National Park, and all of the vendors are located within a 100-mile radius of the CVNP, ensuring truly local offerings. The winter season hosts 30 to 35 vendors, while summer vendor attendance often swells to nearly double that number.

The 2025 summer season has an impressive lineup of local farms, food producers, artists, and makers this season, says market manager Traci Singree, with more than 70 northeast Ohio businesses, live music and activities, cooking demos and tastings of seasonal foods.

“We really value having a producer-only market, which means all of our farmers and our vegetable growers and our honey, our syrup is all made by the farmer,” explains Singree. “There's no wholesaling. This is strictly the fruits of their labor that they bring every morning to the market.”

The market draws impressive crowds, especially in the summer, with vendors quickly selling out. "We average about 1,800 on the low side to 3,000 on the high side of customers coming through each Saturday,” Singree notes.

The annual Tomato Tasting takes place in August with five well-known judges.One highlight of this summer's calendar is the Annual Tomato Tasting on Saturday, Aug. 23. This year's celebration will feature five prominent Cleveland-area chefs serving as judges, up from three last year.

"We're super excited about that,” says Singree of the judges, who she says people are sure to recognize. “Our community, our farmers market shoppers—everyone looks forward to it. It's a highly attended event.”

The tomato tasting transforms the market into a festival atmosphere, with volunteers manning ten tables of fresh-sliced samples throughout the morning. Visitors can taste different varieties and then purchase their favorites directly from the growers. Additionally, the event features market mascot Tom Tomato, who will pose with patrons at a specially designed selfie station.

Of course the fresh tomatoes are the stars of the Tomato Tasting. Some shoppers may ask, “What makes these tomatoes so special?”

Singree is quick to answer that question.

“Our tomatoes don't spend weeks or months on a shipping container or traveling across the 50 states to get to us,” she boasts. “They're hand-picked the morning they come to market, so they still smell like sunshine."

Beyond produce, the market offers prepared foods including breakfast burritos made with local eggs and proteins, fresh-baked cinnamon rolls, scones, and artisanal sourdough bread.

The market's location within the CVNP creates a unique shopping experience. "It's part of who we are, our history, our culture,” shares Singree. “People love coming here on Saturday morning—it's a destination."

Fresh summer strawberries are in season.The Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market represents a continuation of the area's agricultural heritage. While it officially took its current name in 2022, many of its vendors have been selling at this location under the previous Countryside Farmers Market Initiative. " Our vendors have been with the farmers market for a long time," says Singree.

For locals seeking fresh, seasonal produce and artisanal foods direct from producers, the market offers a weekly opportunity to connect with farmers and support the regional food system. Singree says the market provides a chance for farmers to "really get some recognition for the hard work that they do."

Adding to the family atmosphere, Singree says leashed dogs are allowed at the market after 10 a.m. (the market is dog-free during the first hour).

The Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market’s Summer market is held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Howe Meadow, 4040 Riverview Road, through Saturday, Oct. 25, before the season changes once again and the Winter market starts in November in the Old Trail School.