By Brenda Burns Pam Bowshier of Hippie and The Farmer coordinates the weekly virtual farmers’ market. Items purchased through the market can now be picked up at a new location, Oakview Farms on state Route 54. Previously, pickup was at the Champaign Family YMCA. In photo, Bowshier carries an order to a waiting vehicle on Thursday. Market manager Pam Bowshier is decked out in flower power and ready for her customers during the Thursday pickup time in the greenhouse room at Oakview Farm Meats. Since 2012, local foodies and fans of home-grown goodies of all kinds have logged on to a virtual Champaign County farmers market all year long – rain or shine, snow or sun. Champaign County’s was the first online farmers’ market in the state of Ohio. Started with a grant from Activate Champaign County and the Champaign Family YMCA, the virtual farmers’ market’s mission is to provide increased sales opportunities for local producers and consumers while keeping sales dollars in the local economy. The original goal of the market was to provide access to fresh local products while combating the rising problem of obesity. The current market offers products ranging from farm-fresh eggs, fresh vegetables from a local hydroponic grower and fresh milk from a local dairy to home-made dog treats, artisan soups, honey, raspberries, maple syrup and local meats. A long list of vendors offers a constantly- evolving variety of products. Shoppers set up an online account, order from the website and pick up their purchases once a week. Since the market’s inception, customers picked up items at the Champaign Family YMCA. With the upheaval caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic, the market officially and permanently moved its pick-up location to Oakview Farm Meats retail shop, located at 1645 state Route 54. Pam Bowshier has served as the market’s coordinator for several years. Owner of Cosmic Charlie artisan breads, Bowshier is a partner in the food business called Hippie and the Farmer. Her partner Mark Runyan is with Oakview Farm Meats. After the pandemic closed the YMCA in early March, the farm market’s pickup spot […]
Travis Rigby is the publisher of SuperFloral, the news source for the mass-market floral industry. He leads its website and weekly newsletter, covering what matters to growers, breeders, supermarket floral buyers and category managers. Travis studied journalism at the University of Utah, founded and led PosterGarden.com for 27 years, and is president of FlowerBox.com.
