Countryside Public Market

Countryside Public Market is part of a nonprofit food program built around a resilient and sustainable food culture, with educational workshops woven into the larger Countryside effort. In Akron, that gives this market a slightly different shape than a simple weekly stop: it sits inside a broader organization that also runs other farmers market sites and food programming, including markets at Howe Meadow, Highland Square, and Old Trail School. The result is a market tied to year-round local food access in the city rather than a short seasonal appearance.

Why it matters locally

Countryside has been looking ahead to its “next 20 years” while expanding both its Beginning Farmer Intern and Apprentice program and its Food Access programming, linking this market to a longer local effort around farm viability and access to food. That matters in Akron because Countryside Public Market is one piece of a network that also includes the Countryside Farmers’ Market at Howe Meadow, the Highland Square market, and the Old Trail School winter market.

The organization also names educational workshops as part of its mission and identifies itself as a 501(c)3, which places the market inside a nonprofit structure rather than a standalone event operation. Combined with food-access programs such as SNAP, WIC, Produce Perks, Carrot Cash, and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, the market’s local role extends beyond sales alone.

What you'll find there

Countryside Public Market is presented as part of a larger Countryside slate that mixes market shopping with food education and live programming, so the emphasis is broader than produce pickup alone. Specific vendor rosters are not outlined here, but several named programs and featured cooking personalities show the kind of food-centered activity connected to the market.

• -Catch “Cooking with Countryside,” a recurring food program tied to the market organization.
• -Watch cooking demonstrations presented through Countryside programming.
• -Hear live music during market programming.
• -Look for appearances connected to chef and food educator Cara Mangini.
• -Find programming that has included chef Douglas Katz.
• -See food content featuring Mary Beth Albright.

Know before you go

No dogs are allowed, so that is the first detail to factor into a Sunday plan. The market runs at 21 Furnace Street in Akron’s Northside District, with nearby landmarks that include Northside Marketplace, the Akron Art Museum, Downtown Akron, and the Akron-Summit County Public Library. Parking is generally straightforward because free public parking is available near the market, but some surrounding business lots are reserved for customers only, so where you leave the car matters.

Restrooms are not available on-site, another practical detail that may shape the length or timing of a visit. Because the market is year-round and identified as indoor, it functions as a winter option as well as a regular Sunday market in Akron.

Payments & SNAP

SNAP is accepted at Countryside Public Market, and the market also lists Produce Perks for SNAP users alongside Carrot Cash for WIC participants. WIC, Ohio Direction Cards, WIC Nutrition Incentive, SNAP Nutrition Incentive, and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program are all part of the payment and incentive picture here.