Daily Inspiration: Meet Tiffany Mushrush

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Mushrush.

Hi Tiffany, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Geauga Fresh Farmers’ Market was started in 2002 by a grassroots group of local community members who all shared the same goal to provide local produce, meat, eggs and other local goods to their community. In our 24th season, the market has seen highs and lows, but the support of our local community has never waivered. South Russell who has hosted us since the beginning truly gets our mission to share some of Northeast Ohio’s finest farmers, bakers, makers & artisans.

The market is board run, which includes community members & vendors. We are a producer-only market which means our vendors must grow, bake, create what they sell at their at tents. We do not allow items to be brought in from outside areas. We feel it is very important for our customers be able to talk to the farmer who grew the tomato and the baker who baked the loaf of bread they are purchasing.

Not only do we host a weekly summer market (May-October), but we also host an indoor bi-weekly winter market (November-March). Our goal is to provide a space for our farmers, bakers, makers & artisans to have an outlet to sell year-round as well as our customers to buy local year-round.

I have been lucky enough to manage the market for 5 years now. I started at the market as a vendor in 2016 with my family farm, Harvest Bell Farm. I was soon asked to sit on the board and then shortly after to take on the position of Market Manager. Being able to share my passion for local, as well as help the Ohio farming community is really special. It is extremely rewarding to share what our vendors do each week to our customers.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We have been VERY lucky over the years to have such a supportive community who believes in local and supporting local farmers, bakers and makers. With COVID it was a challenge but since farmers markets were deemed essential we found a way with a drive-thru style market. We always seem to find a way to pivot and make it work, so that our community can get ahold of the freshest local goods available.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As the market manager, the gig is part-time, but my background in non-profit work, volunteering for mission driven organizations and owning a farm for 10 years have helped to make my passion for this job important. I truly love to connect people, organizations and community members and the farmers market is the perfect avenue for this. Weather it’s a baker needing in-season produce for a special run on sweets, to helping local chefs connect with farmers who can grow things they can’t find anywhere else, it is a privilege to make it all happen weekly and a joy to see it all come together.

We strive as a market to truly be producer-only meaning you must grow, bake or make the things you sell. We find it important to meet the people who grow your food, form a relationship and understand how we can all work together.

What matters most to you?
Community! Our market is the perfect slice of community. Watching families form relationship with our vendors and catching up weekly each week is a special part of the farmers market. I hear it weekly from vendors and customers alike…”it feels like a family at this market.” I love hearing that and being able to share it with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.geaugafarmersmarket.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geaugafresh/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/geaugafreshfarmersmarket#