Here’s what’s in store at Miles Farmers Market, right now

By Laura Briedis

For those who want to eat healthier in the new year, Miles Farmers Market makes it easy to stay on track.

With an emphasis on fresh, natural and local, Miles has earned a reputation the past half-century as the go-to place for the freshest selection of produce, abundant groceries and unique food items.

“Our store puts an emphasis on healthy eating with all of our items we carry,” says Justin Golobek, store manager. “Our store owner, Frank Cangemi, gets up at 3 a.m. every morning to go to the Northern Ohio Food Terminal to hand select the freshest produce. And though locally picked produce is limited in the winter, we are still getting fresh vegetables delivered from other parts of the country seven days a week. We do everything we can to make sure the food in your cart is the freshest possible, so it will last in your refrigerator for a week or so.”

The market has a 36-foot wet rack overflowing with the freshest leafy vegetables, roots, lettuces and more. The staff hand waters all the produce four to five times a day, and constantly is trimming the produce to keep it looking nice. In the evening they gather everything up and put it in the cooler, clean out the shelves and then put it out again the next morning.

“We take pride in having the biggest selection and variety in town,” says Justin. “Right now citrus is in season, and you’ll find some different varieties here that you can’t find in other stores.”

In addition to navel oranges and clementines, the store also carries some more unique varieties such as Cara Cara, Blood Orange and Minneolas.

“We order citrus grown in Florida and California, because each has a distinct flavor,” notes Justin. “The Florida Honeybell Minneola have a very, very sweet taste, and the California Minneolas have a tart, citrusy taste.”

“In the next months, we will start getting locally grown produce with the first being those that grow wild, such as fiddlehead ferns, garlic scapes and ramps,” says Justin. “And then in spring, look for locally grown asparagus, spinach, collards, peas, cabbage and strawberries.”

The store’s organic selection has grown over the past decade, with a separate display of organic products that keeps getting bigger and bigger.

In the butcher shop, you will only find Ohio-raised pork, free-range, antibiotic-free chicken from nearby Amish Country, and Certified Angus Beef from America’s heartland.

Miles Farmers Market also sells Faroe Island salmon, which is organically raised in some of the coldest water on Earth.

“If you have any questions about cooking meats or preparing other items in our store, our chefs will come out and talk to you to share their expertise,” says Justin. “Plus they can give you some recipes to try at home.”

Mile Farmers Market Game Day Bites
The Super Bowl is synonymous with delicious food spreads, funny commercials, and, yes, there also is a football game.

“The Super Bowl is a time to make a full meal out of little bites,” says Justin Golobek, Miles Farmers Market store manager. “We have all the ingredients you need to make your spread, as well as prepared food you can pick up, heat and serve. This is our store’s 50th year of stocking up for the Super Bowl, so we know our customers’ favorites.”

While this year there will be smaller watch parties, the food will still take center stage. Here are some game day must-haves:

• Chicken Wings: According to the National Chicken Council, last year Americans consumed a whopping 1.4 billion chicken wings during Super Bowl weekend. That’s enough wings to circle the circumference of the Earth three times.

To get your share, stop by Miles for free-range, antibiotic-free chicken, available in both whole wings and party wings cut into drumsticks and flats. To top them off, try Miles Very Own BBQ sauce, Hot Sauce or Ranch Dressing.

During Super Bowl weekend, there will be assorted wing platters in the prepared food section that you can just heat up at home before the game.

And if you want more meaty chicken, Miles also sells buckets of the best fried chicken in town.

• Baby Back Ribs: At Miles Farmers Market, baby back ribs are just as popular as chicken wings when it comes to football parties.

On Super Bowl weekend, there will be specials on its fully cooked, heat and eat Baby Back ribs with Miles Very Own Sweet BBQ Sauce. Or stop by the butcher counter if you want to slowly cook and baste your own ribs.

• Dips, Dips and More Dips: What’s a Super Bowl party without dips? From buffalo chicken dip to spinach and artichoke dip, Jarlsberg cheese spread and homemade salsas, these dips are homemade every morning at the market using the fresh produce, cheese and meats in the store.

And pick up some fresh veggies or locally made pita chips.

• Pizza and Pepperoni Bread: If you are looking for a crowd pleaser, especially among children, you’ll find sheet pizzas with different toppings in the bakery. And if you are having a smaller gathering, pick up some pepperoni bread that you can cut into slices.

• Sweet Endings: When you are snacking on small bites all night, you will definitely have room for dessert. Stop by Miles’ bakery for football-themed decorated cookies, brownies and cupcakes.

While all of these items listed above are available in the store daily, you may want to order these popular game day menu staples in advance to make sure they don’t get snatched up.

Miles Farmers Market is located at 28560 Miles Road, in Solon. Visit MilesFarmersMarket.com for store details.