Better quit eating delectable fresh food now and then when you visit Columbus, Ohio because there’s more to do than dine.

Trouble is, if you start a holiday in this university town at the North Market, resisting just one more flavor is almost impossible.

Foodie places are trendy today but bakers, fishmongers, greengrocers, butchers and farmers have been serving up groceries and ready-to-eats since 1876 in this place.

I’m pretty sure newcomers to America have been serving up astonishing new flavors the whole time.

Thirty-five booths with chefs of many personalities cooking right there. This is a big gathering place, filling a city block, and a second story balcony with tables and chairs overlooking all the food action.

Some places great markets are all about locals, featuring groceries to take home and cook. This one also considers travelers -- plenty to eat right away and some walk-about eat-later food too.

My lunch was a little crazy but vibrant: eggplant from Don and Carolyn Ziliak’s Pastaria, sushi from Nida Perry’s booth, focaccia bread from Amy Lozier’s Omega Artisan Baking, a tall glass of tapioca bubble tea and for dessert, Jeni Britton’s ice cream.

Diversity dining isn’t the only option; North Market has plenty of delis, barbecue, cheeses, fish, fresh fruits and veggies. Chocolate too. Food purveyors in every booth share their names and stories, tastes and food tales. This is a place of good cheer.

Plan ahead and sign up for the $15 tastes tour; that’s a guided hour sampling food and wine and a $5 gift certificate.

Cooking classes happen at North Market too---soups, stews, salsa, three-course lunches, four-course dinners or whatever you might like.

This is a lively open-every-day place. Artisans and crafters join in with handmade works every first and third Sunday, May through October.

Guess it’s cold those other months in Ohio.

One way I figured out to build a new appetite for more of the market’s flavors is to walk around the Short North Arts District that begins a block away, starting with a lovely green space and lake called Goodale Park.

The district bustles, very horizontal with shops on both side of N. High Street beckoning you inside for more than shopping.

Sure they sell things too, but this district with the funny name is all about getting involved, making things and making decisions.