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HOWLAND -- In this era of health-conscious eaters, some 75 people enjoyed a healthy five-course meal Sunday consisting of foods grown or created courtesy of vendors from the Howland Farmers Market.
The first "Farm-to-Table Dinner" was held at the Barrel 33 Bistro in Howland Plaza to benefit the market that is in its 12th year and the oldest market of its kind in the area.
According to farm market coordinator Cynthia Becker O'Connor, the group is about to lose its USDA grant and the fundraiser was a good way to supplement income.
"We are looking to raise money in other ways, so we don't have to put it all on vendor fees," O'Connor said.
O'Connor said the market in the middle of next month will switch from its outdoor location at the Howland Park Gazebo area to its "indoor season," holding Saturday hours 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Children's Rehabilitation Center.
Grace Krontiris of the rehabilitation hospital said she welcomes the vendors to her facility.
"We love having them. Customers who come through also get to learn about the rehab center," Krontiris said.
Sunday's event, which O'Connor hopes will become an annual fundraiser, consisted of two dinner seatings, one at 3 p.m. and the other at 6 p.m. She said 30 of the over 50 vendors contributed to the meal.
"This is a unique way to introduce people to our market and a good way also to reward our vendors," she said.
O'Connor said Howland vendors come from five counties, including some in Pennsylvania, and several got the chance to mingle with the diners.
The two main courses included grass-fed Brisket with barbeque rub and a honey-glazed Asian Chicken stir fry.
Doug Cole, who started Acoustic Coffee at the Treasures Cafe in Newton Falls, was pouring some of his five types of brew. Cole, who lives in Portage County, said he started his business roasting his coffee beans at home in a popcorn popper. He said the Howland market has helped him expand his business.
"It has opened doors for me to get my product into three different locations," Cole said.
Farmers' markets date back to colonial days, O'Connor said, when farmers brought their goods to the town square.
"The city folk didn't have enough land for gardens back then," she said.
O'Connor said the idea of the dinner came about six weeks ago. She said the planning had some adjustment due to weather extremes during the growing season.
"We had a bizarre year, it was cool and wet early, and then the hot sun just baked the ground hard," she said.
gvogrin@tribtoday.com