Sunday, May 26, 2013

End of May

While we were blessed with perfect weather for the first couple of markets, last Friday brought cold temperatures and intermittent rain.  This coming Friday looks like it will be the hottest day of the week.  I hope the weather doesn't stop you from coming down to the market!  The farmers are bringing in the spring veggies, and that is worth the trip.

This week, I picked up two bunches of spring turnips from Solid Ground Farm.  These turnips are different than the waxy winter variety.  They are white and small and resemble radishes.  I eat them raw, sliced as a side dish or like I would eat an apple.  Even though they are great raw, I think I might try this recipe for glazed turnips.  Yum!

I also bought some spinach at the market, and I throw that into anything I am cooking.  Eggs, stir fry, burritos, rice and beans...green goes with everything!  I also mix the turnip greens in with the spinach and cook those, too.  The sweet taste of spinach is excellent this time of year, and it can be stretched by adding other tasty leaves.  Little Raven Kitchen and Gardens had some wonderful greens, as well.  She (Farmer Julie, have you met her yet?) had that mix of greens that are great for cooking or mixing up for a spicy salad.  Perfect!  Those greens could be thrown into a hearty soup on a cold spring day, or in a light salad on a hot spring day.

With the fickle weather in the back of my mind, I also took home a pound of ground beef from Chicoine Family Farm.  I'll make burgers if it's nice, chili if it's not.  Maybe next week I will splurge on one of those cutting boards made by one of their family members.

The most exotic thing I picked up at the market was the half leg of goat from Gray Dog's Farm.  I am a fairly adventurous cook, but after talking to April from the farm this piece of meat seemed much tamer.  Just roast it like any bone-in roast!  What that means in my kitchen is that I will marinate the meat in a mixture of olive oil, a little pickle juice (because I make a lot of pickles and have tons of this acidic ingredient), garlic, herbs, salt and pepper for up to 24 hours.  Then, I will put it in a 375 degree oven for about an hour, or until the thermometer registers 145 degrees (that's the USDA recommendation, anyway).  Of course, I will take the meat out of the oven when it's done and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving it...

All this writing about food has made me hungry!  I hope to see you at the market next week.


Sunday, April 21, 2013

Updates on the market

Hello Everyone!

Last week we had the vendor meeting for the farmers market.  Most of the vendors came to meet each other, catch up, and hear about the plans for this coming season.  Here is a list of the vendors who will be at the market this year, with an asterisk next to those who will be at the first market.

Bemben Farm
Chicoine Family Farm*
Frosted Swirl Cupcakes*
Godard's Red Hen Farm
Little Raven Bakery and Gardens
Park Hill Orchard
Mary's Greenhouse*
Western Woods Coffee*
Amend Organics*
Simple Abundance Herbals
Solid Ground Farm*
Twin Maples Farm*
Riverside Gardens*
Gray Dog Farm*
Pepin Farm (strawberries only, when in season)
Sapowsky Farms
...and the food truck Chantrelle On The Go

I am very excited about this list of farmers and producers.  To think, just two years ago the Easthampton market had only 2 vendors.  Now, we have such bounty and diversity!  That's no small feat, either.  These farmers and bakers and coffee roasters work their tails off all year long, putting in extra long days of hard labor, to bring us the goods.  I am thrilled to be working with these folks, and I am even more excited to eat the food they bring.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Gearing up for a good market

Hello Community!

A huge thank you to Mantis Graphics, who helped make these awesome bags possible:
If you can't see the whole picture, the text reads "Easthampton Farmers Market."  The image looks crisp and clear.  These bags will be on sale at the market for $10 each.  Get one, and stuff it with all the goodies you get from the farmers!

I have confirmation that Pepin Farm will be selling their strawberries at the market.  When they come into season, that is.  I know it will be hard for me to be patient.

We will also have Simple Abundance Herbals this season.  They will sell teas, herbs, and some body care products.  Excellent stuff.

Opening day is not far away.  Mark your calendars for May 3rd!  We will have a balloon artist/magician and a couple of face painters for the kids.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Managing. 4 1/2 weeks till first market!

Hi folks!

I am currently getting the nuts and bolts of the market together.  I can't believe how quickly the time goes by!  While the boring stuff (to me, anyway) like insurance, new checks, tax id numbers, etc. is getting sorted out, I am also working on some fun projects.  I recently met with Mantis Graphics to finalize the logo design and get canvas bags printed!  We will have those for sale on the first market day.  I'll post a picture when they are done.

Also in the works: getting SNAP/EBT at the market.  I have a feeling this will help many people buy the healthy local food that they might not otherwise be able to afford.  A good thing, indeed!  I'm not sure if we will have this up and running for the first market day, but I'll try!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

The Planning

Right now, I am waiting for vendors to return applications for the market.  I mailed these applications out last week, and I received one application today.  The first one!  How exciting!  And it is from Frosted Swirl Cupcakes!  Yes folks, we have confirmation that Frosted Swirl will be at our market.

Don't worry, I have heard from many other vendors, and we will have a deliciously diverse market this year. I'll let you know who else will be there as confirmations come in.  For now, let us dream of bright sunny days and cupcakes by Nashawannuck Pond!

Picture from June, 2012

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Welcome to the blog!

Hi Everyone!

This will be the site to come to for all kinds of information, news and pictures related to the Easthampton Farmers Market.  We are getting ready for the 2013 season right now, planning and contacting possible vendors.  It looks like it will be an exciting market this year!