By Kristen Nowak Winn

Accent Editor

There’s just something satisfying about cooking with locally grown foods. For frugal foodies, there’s no better time than the present to find some good deals on produce as area farmers markets reach full swing.

Sweet, succulent berries will make anyone salivate when they’re picked just a day or even hours before you buy them. Salads, stir-fries and side dishes get a summer boost with fresh zucchini, onions, tomatoes and garlic — making recipe possibilities entirely endless.

Shoppers like knowing the food on their dinner plates didn’t first travel across the globe to get there, and it helps cost-conscious consumers save a few dollars.

But where to go, and what can you find?

In order to help you track down some of the best buys of summer, The Gazette visited a number of local farmers markets.

Here’s what we found:

Medina County Farmers Market

Take a stroll through the Medina Public Square on Saturday mornings, and you’ll encounter dozens of friendly faces and flavorful foods.

In its fourth year, the market delivers a diverse crop of produce, baked goods, arts, crafts, soaps and even homemade treats for dogs.

It’s a great place to get a sense of the community, and the vendors enjoy interacting with their customers. Ask them their favorite part about the market, and the answer is almost always: “Visiting with people,” said Janet Stohlman of Hinckley, who was busy selling goat milk fudge ($4.50) when I stopped by July 5.

Um, goat milk?

“It makes it really creamy,” Stohlman explained.

OK, despite a quick moment of hesitation, this I had to try. Indeed, both the peanut butter and chocolate flavors I sampled were delectable — you’ll have to taste it for yourself.

Other vendors include: Good Taste Wine & Food Shop (ask about the Glop, $8), Farm CH, Earth Song Discovery Farm in Lodi, Bread Divas, Great Harvest, Patt’s Pastries, Victoria’s Soaps, Pfeiffer’s Fotos, The Village Smithy, Medina Pastry Company and Barkin’ Biscuit.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through October.

Info: 330-725-4911

Beriswill Farms

For anyone looking to supplement their grocery shopping with as much local food as possible, Beriswill Farms, 2200 Station Road, Liverpool Township, is practically a one-stop shop. Grab some chicken or hamburger for the grill, stock up on fresh veggies for a summer salad and top off dessert with a handful of berries picked the same day.

Seeing exactly where the food came from satisfies customers, not to mention the incredible value of their purchases. For $5.25, I walked away with a pint of raspberries, a medium-sized zucchini and a generous bag of fresh lettuce.

The increasing demand keeps the farmers busy and loving what they do.

“Just seeing it grow is really rewarding,” Carol Beriswill said.

Summer hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Info: 330-350-2486

Liverpool Township Farmers Market

At the farmers market set up in the parking lot of The Depot, it’s all about quality.

Only about a half dozen booths were set up at the beginning of July, but it was still early in the season.

We still found a great variety — Ohio maple syrup, zucchini, breads, onions, homemade cookies, crafts, woodworking and a wide array of jams and jellies.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

Info: 330-483-3736

Hillside Orchard and Farm Market

The family run farm is in its 60th year of serving the community fresh foods.

In 1948, Allen Bowman started with a small apple stand with two of his brothers.

It’s since evolved into a fairly large farm market located at 2397 Center Road in Hinckley Township, complete with school tours in the fall.

“People like to know where their produce is coming from,” said Bowman, affectionately known around the market as “Papa Bear.” “That makes the farm markets very popular.”

Bowman said they’re widely known for their pies and their friendly service.

“We can give that personal touch here,” he said.

Customers have been calling every day to find out if the blueberries are ready to be picked, to which he tells them mid-July.

Hillside Orchard also has pick-your-own apples in the fall.

This year, Bowman carries with him his wife’s legacy. Judith Bowman, or “Mama Bear,” passed away in January. If you get the chance, stop in to the farm market and watch an inspirational four-minute video with family photos.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays except in October. Open April to December.

Info: 330-225-4748 or www.hillsidefarmfresh.com

Mapleside Farms

Strawberries, peaches, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, apples — you name it, Mapleside Farms has it.

“We’re known for the fruit,” said Dave Eyssen, owner and manager of Mapleside Farms, 294 Pearl Road, Brunswick.

Of course, fruit selection varies by season — strawberries were all the rave in June and apples won’t be prime for picking until fall.

Eyssen said the demand for home-grown produce is going to increase this year because consumers are looking for three things: freshness, taste and price.

They’re three things Mapleside Farms can deliver; aside from working their own shop in Brunswick, they also make trips to the farmers markets Saturdays in Medina and Thursday evenings in Strongsville.

Plus, to make it easy for Friday night dinners, customers can drive right up to Mapleside Farms from 4 to 8 p.m. and pick up produce and barbecued meat.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Sundays; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Mondays, September through December, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Coming up: “Jazz and Wine Over the Valley,” 5 to 9 p.m. July 18 at Mapleside Farms.

Info: 330-225-5577 or www.mapleside.com.

Winn may be reached at 330-721-4053 or kwinn@ohio.net.