While holiday gifting and gatherings might look a little different this year, Miles Farmers Market is keeping things fresh

By Laura Briedis

Though this holiday season will be unlike any other, with smaller family gatherings and fewer holiday parties, it is still a time when giving gifts will bring joy to those we love.

Miles Farmers Market is packed with gift baskets that are a bit more meaningful—and perhaps more practical.

“We can personalize baskets with the gift recipient’s favorite items,” says store manager Justin Golobek. “We also have, on any given day during the holiday, about 50 gift baskets already made that you can choose from in all different sizes.”

When it comes to unique gifting, 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 fruits, but it also puts together different theme baskets that include just about anything you can imagine.

Staying true to its roots and spotlighting Ohio-made products, many of the baskets are filled with items from local small businesses, like maple syrup tapped in nearby Wooster, gourmet popcorn from Peninsula, and small-batch seasonal jams and preserves, to name just a few.

“Along with featuring local products, we also have high-end imports from Italy and Spain, including olive oils, balsamic vinegars and pastas,” says Justin. “Plus, we can include wine, beer, coffee and teas in the baskets.”

“We sell gift baskets year-round, but in December we put together thousands of baskets,” he says, noting Miles Market has its own workshop set up in the back of the store where he and other employees all help out assembling gift baskets.

There are gift baskets on display back by the bakery in the store that you can purchase, or the market also can make a custom basket and ship it directly to the recipient via UPS to anywhere in the country, or deliver locally in its own trucks.

“If you want to send a gift basket, we encourage customers to order early to ensure they get delivered in time for the holidays,” notes Justin.

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

“We also can add seafood including lobster tails, shrimp and scallops to these gift boxes for the ultimate treat,” says Justin. “Or add a large cookie tray for a sweet treat.”

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

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

“Always a holiday favorite, 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. “And new this year is Miles’ Fire-Roasted Holiday Ham.”

The store purchased a three-foot-tall blowtorch to glaze the ham by hand in its kitchen and has perfected the new honey glaze.

“We encourage customers to pre-order meats to make sure they get exactly what they need to feed their family,” says Justin. “We will be offering smaller portions of side dishes in the Bistro to accommodate those having smaller family gatherings this year.”

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