As each week begins, Tom and Anita Dunderman know that regardless of the weather they will spend eighty hours picking and storing crisp vegetables and juicy fruits, driving 150 miles to purchase freshly harvested crops from other local farmers, and then vending this produce at the markets. To most of us, this may seem more like arduous labor than an ideal job, but to Tom and Anita, owners of The Basketeria in the West Side Market, this is their ultimate dream.

Trained as nursing professionals, Tom and Anita both left that profession to pursue Tom's lifelong aspiration of opening his own freestanding farmer's market. Working to put himself through nursing school, he spent eleven years working with produce and eventually became the produce manager at Reider's Stop & Shop. Upon completion of his education, Tom became an operating nurse at University Hospitals' Pediatrics Unit.

“As nurses,” remarked Anita, ”we both enjoyed helping people by working closely with them to identify their needs and improve their quality of life. But our own quality of life, with each other and our children, was being drained by our demanding work schedule. We decided to put our family first by changing our careers.” The time seemed ripe to actualize Tom's vision; and as an added bonus, Tom and Anita realized that this would give them the opportunity to work together as a family.

In July 2000, the couple purchased a small stand at the West Side Market to sell their fresh produce. Their business has now grown to four stands (#73 - #77), where they specialize in vending local, organic vegetables and fruits. "We were disheartened that an Ohio tomato was hardly available for our customers," said Anita. Tom interjected that they also had many customer requests for organic and homegrown produce.

While searching for a way to meet their customers' needs, Tom and Anita were approached by an Amish farmer from Homerville, Ohio. A business relationship developed and has since flourished and grown to include many local farmers, allowing the Dundermans to cater more fully to their loyal patrons. Anita pointed out, "Many of our customers come to us for organic produce for juicing because they have physical illnesses, such as cancer. Being nurses, this helps us to continue nurturing people from a different perspective."

Tom added, "An Akron chiropractor has referred clients to us from his area that travel all the way to Cleveland to purchase our produce. Our main terminal allows us to order organic produce from California, Colorado, and other sources, providing our customers year-round service. We enjoy what we do. We live it, breathe it. We take it seriously. We want our customers to get something good and wholesome! What they're buying is going into them. They're buying something that is feeding their body. I can tell you where it was grown. Chances are, I picked the vegetables from the vine myself and brought them to you!"

When we love what we are doing, the energy is projected outward to all we touch. In the case of the Dundermans, it's almost as if you can taste the love in the wonderful food they grow, harvest, and provide for their customers…and we love and appreciate them for it!

Stop by the West Side Market, 1979 West 25th St.,Cleveland, Mondays and Wednesdays, 7 am to 4 pm, and Fridays and Saturdays, 7 am to 6 pm. (216) 621-4394. Or visit the Coit Rd. Farmer's Market, 15000 Woodworth Rd., East Cleveland, Wednesdays, 10 am to 3 pm, and Saturdays, 8 am to 1 pm. (216) 249-5455. www.thebasketeria.com.

Photos by Bob Perkoski - www.perkoski.com.