Despite the chill, farmers markets thrive in the winter months, both indoors and out

Winter weather doesn't have to mean a break from fresh, local produce. At least seven Greater Cincinnati communities offer winter farmers markets for those who enjoy farm-to-table products. The venues vary from one community to the next. The Village Green Farmers Market migrates indoors at the Fairfield Community Arts Center from November through April. West Chester Farmers Market moves operations from Centre Pointe Drive to the Muhlhauser Barn between late November and the end of March. Deerfield Farmers Market operates outdoors year-round on Irwin Simpson Road. Regardless of the location, the sentiment from the markets' vendors is the same. "We still like to interact with the customers," said Andy Gorman, market manager for Deerfield Farmers Market. The market operates year-round in the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield parking lot in Mason. However, its hours are limited to 10-11 a.m. Saturdays between November and April. From May through October, it operates between 9 a.m. and noon every Saturday. "We're fortunate just to even have a place to do an outdoor winter market," Gorman said. The market is mostly volunteer-run and is "very low-cost," he said. West Chester Farmers Market similarly operated outside during winter months before getting permission from the township to use Muhlhauser Barn. In its fourth winter housed in the barn, the market is seeing some growth. "Having it in the barn has helped a lot," said Reuben Schwartz, operating market co-manager for West Chester Farmers Market. The market is open in the barn from 2 to 4 p.m. the first and third Saturdays from late November through March. In addition to benefiting vendors by keeping them connected to their customer base year-round, Schwartz sees the market as a service to the community.