Improve your ranking with friends and associates this holiday season by giving the gift of fresh food items from Miles Farmers Market

191204 Miles Frmrs Mkt 6120
Say it with fruit…or steak, or cheese, or any of the other fresh items available at Miles Farmers Market. During the month of December, the talented team will pack thousands of delicious gift baskets. Dave Rondini (left), first-ever manager, started the baskets and passed the knowledge and tradition to current store manager, Justin Golobek. (Photography: Benjamin Margalit)

By Laura Briedis

When it comes to unique gift giving, Miles Farmers Market is thinking outside of the basket. Sure, the grocer sells plenty of fruit baskets, overflowing with fresh apples, oranges, pears and other seasonal produce, but they also put together different themed baskets that include just about anything you can imagine.

During the holidays, the market has its own workshop set up in the back of the store, where you’ll find up to a dozen employees assembling gift baskets.

“We sell gift baskets year-round, but in December we put together thousands of baskets,” says store manager Justin Golobek.

“We have dozens of different gift baskets displayed in the store that are ready for customers to grab and go, or we can make a custom basket and ship directly to the recipient via UPS to anywhere in the country or deliver locally in our own trucks.”

During the holidays, the market has its own workshop set up in the back of the store, where you’ll find up to a dozen employees (L-R: Chase and Dylan pictured above) assembling gift baskets.

Staying true to its roots and spotlighting Ohio-made products, many of the baskets are filled with products from local small businesses, like Crooked Kettle Gourmet Popcorn, Sara Ann Jams small-batch seasonal jams and preserves, and Saneda’s Balsamic Herb dressing, to name just a few.

“We get creative when putting together theme baskets, like Ohio’s Best basket, featuring the best food items from our state,” says Justin. “Plus, we have baskets with wine, coffee and tea, chocolates, and a fun New Year’s basket filled with champagne, cheeses and charcuterie.”

“These are nice gifts everyone would like,” he adds, noting they have shipped gift baskets to the lower 48 states.

In addition to the standard woven baskets filled with goodies, Miles also sells steak boxes filled with Certified Angus Beef Steaks hand-cut by the butcher, packed in ice and delivered directly to the gift recipient.

Staying true to its roots and spotlighting Ohio-made products, many of the Miles Farmers Market gift baskets are filled with products from local small businesses, like Crooked Kettle Gourmet Popcorn, Sara Ann Jams small-batch seasonal jams and preserves, and Saneda’s Balsamic Herb dressing, to just name a few.

“Local law firms and other companies like to send these steak boxes to their clients and employees,” comments Justin. “We also can add seafood including lobster tails, shrimp and scallops for the ultimate treat.”

The Freshest Holiday Meats
Whether you are serving ham, turkey, beef tenderloin, standing rib roast, or crown roast for your holiday dinner, you will find the freshest meats at Miles’ butcher shop.

“We have our own Miles Farmers Market spiral hams with a brown sugar glaze that are sourced from the best pigs, are consistently cut and are so flavorful,” says Justin. “We encourage customers to pre-order meats to make sure they get exactly what they need to feed their family.”

And for those who eat pork and sauerkraut on New Year’s Day to bring good luck in the coming year, you will find plenty of pork loins, chops and tenderloins in the meat department.

Catering Done Right
In business for 48 years, Miles Farmers Market started to offer catering in the late ‘90s. What started with cooking fried chicken and ribs, the catering menu today has grown to nearly 100 menu items, including favorites like stuffed cabbage, lasagna and chicken marsala. And that is just a starting point. Miles can customize the menu to your event.

“We can cater meals for groups of eight people up to hundreds,” notes Justin. “We can even bring a grill to your home and prepare the food on-site. We can also set up build-your-own burger and taco bars.”

The store’s in-house chef oversees the catering and cooks everything from scratch, including stocks and soups.

With over 21,000 square feet including a butcher shop, deli, bakery, cheese shop, bistro with prepared foods and a wine department, food is truly a passion at Miles Farmers Market.

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

Categories: Eastside Food & Dining