GIFTS & GRUB AWAIT! The Eau Claire Global Market's ninth annual event will bring 21 vendors with ethically procured goods and food items to town on Saturday, Nov. 14. There, you can check off your holiday gift-giving list – all event proceeds promote sustainable livelihoods and community development in some of the world's most disadvantaged regions – and enjoy delicious food from vendors like Borsch House! (All photos via Facebook)

The Eau Claire Global Market? You mean, the Eau Claire Global YUM?! Yes, it's that time of year when one of the Chippewa Valley's favorite autumnal events readies for its annual return – this time, with a delicious new twist!

The ninth annual Eau Claire Global Market event officially returns from 9am-3pm on Saturday, Nov. 14. Across the first floor and lower level of the First Congregational UCC (310 Broadway St., Eau Claire), 21 vendors will be set up, eager to help you check off your holiday gift-giving list.

Those vendors will share their ethically procured, handmade products and food items hailing from over 40 countries around the world. You'll find goods like clothing and textiles, baskets, jewelry, home decor, holiday ornaments, food and more. Proceeds from the event promote sustainable livelihoods and community development in some of the most disadvantaged and impoverished corners of the globe.

Photos above show just a glimpse into to the multi-floor vendor offerings at the Eau Claire Global Market. This year's event is on Saturday, Nov. 14.

Sure, all those items are guaranteed to really cool, but one of the stand-out highlights of this annual event has always been the authentic international foods available for purchase.

This year, organizers (including myself) are thrilled to team up with Borsch House, a locally beloved Ukrainian restaurant. They'll be serving up their most popular dishes, like pierogi, medovik and, of course, their famous borsch. Already, the buzz around this new cuisine coming to the Global Market has been crazy!

Borsch House is a woman-owned restaurant run by Ukrainian refugees who managed to escape their war-torn country. Manager Andrii Sabazov and his sister-in-law, Tetiana Blelikova, described a harrowing life of daily bombings in Kharkiv. Sabazov, along with his wife and Blelikova, eventually landed in Eau Claire where they immediately received support from local churches.

As a show of gratitude, the trio began preparing meals for those church members. Their food was so popular that they decided to open up their own Ukrainian restaurant. (And in case you miss their food at the market, you can always visit their restaurant at The Yard (241 Division St., Altoona)!)

Borsch House, owned and operated by a local family from Ukraine, has grown a loyal customer base out of its location at The Yard in Altoona, pictured. (Photo by Marina Sabazova / Borsch House on Facebook)

Borsch House serves traditional Ukraine cuisine and family recipes, with some of its most popular dishes including lazy cabbage rolls, plov and potato varenkyky. (Photo via Facebook)

The pelmini combo, pictured, is a dish centered around small dumplings made with fresh chicken breast or a mix of pork and beef, ground in-house with onions, black pepper and a touch of salt. (Photo via Facebook)

When he first arrived, Sabazov worked as a trucker. He said he's seen a lot of the country, but he loves Eau Claire the most. The Eau Claire Global Market folks are glad the Ukrainian family is here, and are grateful to partner with Borsch House – a perfect match for an event that aims to “raise local awareness about global poverty and social injustice.”

The Eau Claire Global Market will be held from 9am-3pm on Saturday, Nov. 14 at the First Congregational UCC (310 Broadway St., Eau Claire). There, you can shop locally and help locally, just in time for the holidays! Keep up with the annual event on social media.