The farmers markets of the Mahoning Valley in Youngstown, Austintown, Warren, Howland, Hubbard and Niles are open and offering a more sustainable local food system.

The local farmers market managers and the local farmers that supply them recently formed the Mahoning Valley Farmers Market Network to collaborate on promotional efforts and other activities. 

“By working together, we’re able to undertake some initiatives none of us could do as effectively on our own,” said Cassandra Clevenger, community resource coordinator for Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership in Warren, the coordinating agency for the network. “We’re sharing best practices in marketing, fundraising, food safety and other priorities to build a sustainable farmers market system in the Mahoning Valley.

“Our goal is to make sure we can continue to bring Valley shoppers what they like most about farmers markets — fresh, healthy, local food at a great value.”

Days and times:

  • Youngstown Common Wealth Kitchen – Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 907 Elm St., through Sept. 25.
  • Youngstown ACTION and GROW Urban – Various locations throughout the city, mostly on Thursdays and Fridays, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., through Sept. 17.
  • Warren – Tuesdays, from 3 to 6 p.m., on the Kinsman House grounds in Perkins Park, through Oct. 5.
  • Austintown – Wednesdays, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Austintown Township Park, through Aug. 25.
  • Howland – Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Orwig Park, through Oct. 9.
  • Hubbard - Sundays, from 12 noon to 5 p.m., at Tylee Park, from July 11 through Oct. 31.
  • Niles – Wednesdays, from 2 to 6 p.m., at 438 Robbins Ave, through Sept. 29.

A full schedule of the farmers market dates, times and locations is posted on the network’s website at mvfmarkets.com

The network recently landed a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers Market Promotion Program to develop and place a television commercials, which will air from late June through early September on WFMJ-TV. The markets collaborated with Pecchia Communications to develop a series of TV spots.