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July 26, 2010

Market News - July 27, 2010

From the Market Manager

   What a pleasure it is to open the refrigerator and know that there is a variety of tasty local items in it with which to make a meal.
   When you make a salad, first off know that it doesn’t have to contain lettuce, and go from there. If you make a green salad put some fruit in it.  A nectarine goes really well in a salad with a vinaigrette dressing. If you go to kitchengardenfarm.com, you will find several excellent salad recipes.
   Use Outlook Farm’s bulk breakfast sausage to stuff vegetables. You have to add other ingredients to it just as you would when you use ground beef.  It is very lean.
   Do any of you want to enter a gazpacho contest for next week? So far no-one has expressed an interest. If we have 5 entries we’ll do it, otherwise we won’t. Email me at bellerita@verizon.net or call me at 737-1724. You don’t have to make a huge amount, but at least a couple of quarts would be good. We’ll have ice to keep it cold.

Farming Terms

   Locally-grown: Food and other agricultural products that are produced, processed, and sold within a certain region, whether defined by distance, state border, or regional boundaries. The term is unregulated at the national level, meaning that each individual farmers’ market can define and regulate the term based on its own mission and circumstances.
   Naturally-grown/all-natural: USDA guidelines state that all “natural” meat and poultry products can only undergo minimal processing and cannot contain artificial colors, artificial flavors, preservatives, or other artificial ingredients. The claim “natural” is otherwise unregulated.
   No spray/pesticide-free: While a farm may not be organic, “no spray” or “pesticide-free” indicates that no pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides have been applied to the crop at any point in its production.
   No-till: A method of reducing soil erosion by planting crops without tilling the soil, which may rely on herbicides to control weeds.
   Organically-grown/certified organic: All products sold as “organic” must meet the USDA National Organic Program production and handling standards. Certification is mandatory for farmers selling more than $5,000 of organic products per year, and includes annual submission of an organic system plan and inspection of farm fields and processing facilities to verify that organic practices and record keeping are being followed.
   Sustainable agriculture: Farming that is socially just, humane, economically viable, and environmentally sound. The term is unregulated.
   Transitional: Farmers must practice organic methods for 3 years on a given piece of land before the products harvested from that land can be sold or labeled as organic. “Transitional” is an unofficial term meaning that the farmland is in the midst of that transition period toward organic certification.

   Vine-ripened/tree-ripened: Fruit that has been allowed to ripen on the vine or tree. Many fruits that are shipped long distances are picked while still unripe and firm, and later treated with ethylene gas at the point of distribution to “ripen” and soften them.

This ‘n’ That

   There are many non-perishable items to purchase as gifts at the market. You can make up your own gift baskets or bags.
   Don’t forget our cookbook giveaway. Bring your unwanted books and if you have the willpower, don’t take any others home with you. We have a table set up next to the market table.
   Pick up a flyer about donating other books also at the market table.
   Forest Park Middle School has a new principal. Her name is Medina Ali. If you’d like to discuss anything about the school and its relationship to the neighborhood, give her a call—787-7420.
   Springfield will be distributing the blue recycling containers on wheels to the rest of the city this summer. It is so easy to recycle with this container. Paper, glass, and metal all go in the same one and then you wheel it out to the street every other week. FYI—recycling one glass bottle saves enough electricity to light a 60-watt bulb for 4 hours. It is amazing how little trash you can have when you recycle. Don’t recycle pizza or Chinese food containers.
They don’t want anything that has grease on it.

   This Wednesday at noon, the new Forest Park Apartments on Longhill Street will have a ribbon cutting. All of the apartments have been refurbished and they are all rented. Drive by and take a look; it looks terrific.

SevenArs Concerts

   The 43rd season of this small music festival is happening now. Every Sunday at 4PM at the Academy in Worthington, you can hear world-renowned artists and/or prize-winning newcomers perform. The cost is $20 and that includes refreshments during intermission. You owe it to yourself to go to one or more of these concerts. The setting is lovely and you will feel as though you are among family. There are 4 more performances through August 22nd.
   Directions: Go through Westfield to Rte. 20. Follow Rte. 20 until you pass through Russell and you see a sign that says Rte. 112. Take that right and eventually you will see a sign that says SevenArs and you are there.

Vendor Stores

   A few of our vendors have stores that you can visit if you can’t make it to the market. Some have websites also. Hickory Dell Farm is located off Rte. 66 in Florence on West Farms Road. Outlook Farm is on Rte. 66 in Westhampton. Both are open 7 days a week. Trinity Farm in Enfield, CT is open M-F 6-6, and Sat. 6-4, closed Sunday. Sweet Pea Cheese (Hayes Dairy Farm)  151 East St., North Granby, CT is open 10-7 daily or by appointment. You can get the complete list of our vendors on our website.

Vote for Your Favorite Market

   Go to Farmland.org and you will find a place where you can vote for your favorite farmers’ market. I think there’s a prize for the most votes.

Market Table

   There are recipes and all sorts of information there, and it’s all free, so help yourself.

Posted by bellerita at 03:56 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 23, 2010

Market News - July 20, 2010

From the Market Manager

   Hickory Dell Farm and Dr. Cookie are on vacation, and Glenn Butler doesn’t have enough to sell right now, so they aren’t here this week.
   Now is the time to enjoy our local tomatoes. I put some new recipes in the crate at the market table, so take a look.
   Thanks to those of you who have already donated books. We’ve made $25 already. Ron Haislip-Hansberry, the proprietor of PZA Books suggested that we have a book sale at the end of the market. What we don’t sell we can donate to a charity. Pick up a flyer at the market table about book donations.
  

Farmers’ Market WIC Coupons

   They will become available in early August. This year new coupons for the grocery store became available. They are also for produce, but they aren’t for any farmers’ market. The FM coupons are for $2.50 each.

IPM

   You may see these letters on some of the signage at our market. What that means is integrated pest management. It is not the same as organically produced.
   You know that there are good insects and bad insects. Bees, good, Japanese beetles, bad, etc. What IPM does is to integrate good insects and other methods such as sticky balls that look like apples, to combat the destructive pests that abound.
   Scientists are always trying to find ways to increase yields using as few herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides as possible both for the health of the land, and the health of people and other animals. IPM does that.

Why are Barns Red?

   Last week while at Trinity Farm a conversation ensued about why barns are mostly red. The man with whom Dale Smyth and I were having the conversation said that blood was mixed into the “paint.” We couldn’t imagine that. Turns out that there is some truth to that.
   Here’s what I learned: Hundreds of years ago European farmers started painting their barns with linseed oil, adding milk and lime to the mixture. This combination made a pretty good paint that protected the wood. Sometimes they’d also add ferrous oxide or rust to the mixture because those hindered the growth of mold and fungus which cause wood to decay. When linseed oil dries, it turns the wood darker and the addition of the rust and/or ferrous oxide makes it redder. Sometimes a wealthy farmer would also add animal blood to the mixture after the animal was slaughtered.
   The tradition of painting barns red continued after Europeans came to North America even after commercial paint was available.

Gazpacho Contest

I wish that I could claim all of the good ideas for our market, but I cant. Barbara Garvey suggested that we have a gazpacho contest similar to what they do with clam chowder on the Cape.  So, let’s do it. On August 3rd, no matter what the weather is like, let’s have a contest. We will supply the cups and spoons, so let me know if you’d like to enter. I’d like to have at least 5 people participating.

   Gazpacho is best when all of the ingredients are local which I why I don’t make it until August.

Something Cute

   While picking blueberries again yesterday, I heard this exchange from a brother to his younger sister. “Only pick the blue ones, not the pink ones. I know that pink is your favorite color, but only pick the blue ones.”

This ‘n’ That

   Sheila McElwaine will be leading the Riverwalk this Wednesday, July 21st. Meet at the Monarch Place fountain Downtown at 12:15, and walk to the Riverfront walk. It takes about an hour altogether.
   Take down your tag sale signs (or someone else’s) when the tag sale is over. It’s litter at that point.
   The Trinity Church neighborhood party was a huge success. What a great idea.
   Trinity has two more Thursday night concert/suppers left this month.
   The woman with the tie-dye clothing, etc. will be here next week.
   A concert featuring folk singer July Polan will be held at the Chicopee Library this Thursday night at 6:30. The library is at 449 Front Street. FREE. Judy has a beautiful voice.

 

Bing Arts Center

   The Bing is featuring a series of cultural events on the first Friday of every month. On August 6th, Chris Marion, a “flippant and conscientiously caustic comedian” will perform. This is NOT for minors. On September 3rd, Doug Ratner, a local rocker with a following will perform. Doors open at 7:30, performance at 8. A $5 contribution is suggested.

Recipe-Green Beans with Charred Onions

From: “Molto Gusto: Easy Italian Cooking”
Kosher salt
1 pound young green beans or haricots verts
2 medium sweet onions
1 ½ Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 ½ tablespoons orange juice
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
sea salt
Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot and add 2 T kosher salt. Add the beans and blanch until crisp-tender, 3-5 minutes. Drain the colander and cool under cold running water, drain well.
Halve the onions lengthwise and trim off the ends. Cut lengthwise into ½” wide slices. Heat a dry 12” sauté pan over medium high heat until very hot. Add the onions and sauté until charred in spots but still crunchy, 4-6 minutes. During the last minute or so, add the beans, stirring and tossing to warm them through. Transfer the beans and onions to a large bowl.
Whisk the vinegar, orange juice, and oil together in a small bowl. Pour over the beans and onions, tossing to coat. Let stand for at least 10 minutes, or up to 1 hour before serving.  

 

Posted by bellerita at 10:38 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 14, 2010

Market News - July 13, 2010

From the Market Manager

Last week's heat was just about as bad as it gets in Massachusetts.  I knew that it was going to be a slow day because the day after a Monday holiday is often slow.  That coupled with the heat made the day really slow.  Thanks to those of you who were able to get there.  Our vendors who had children with them went to the sprinkler park and cooled off a little.  Is this new location great, or what?

It's estimated that by 2015 there will be 6300 farmers; markets in the US with combined sales of $1.5 billion.  The popularity of farmers' markets for customers has as much to do with the sense of community, desire for safe food, and the knowledge of where their food comes from, as it does to the better flavor of the food.  The popularity for farmers in particular (other vendors also) is that they get to sell directly to the customer without having to sell the bulk of their products wholesale.  It is much more work because all of the work is done in a condensed period of time.  But it's worth it.  Otherwise there wouldn't be such a huge growth in markets all over the country.

Surveys show that most people are willing to pay more at a farmers' market to have fresher food.  And, many people who prefer organic food will produce local conventionally raised foor rather than purchasing organic food that is from far away.  Freshness trumps organic.

I picked blueberrys on Monday morning at Val's in East Longmeadow.  Easy pickin's.

Tomatoes

Up to know the tomatoes that have been at the market have been from greenhouses, good, but not field tomatoes.  If not this week, then very soon we should have field tomatoes.  Each tomato variety has its own unique shape, size, and flavor, so try tomatoes throughout the season from different farms.

A tomato salad couldn't be simpler.  Just cut up different varieties (for color), make a vinaigrette, toss together, perhaps add some basil or dill, and you have a salad.  If you want to fancy it up a little, break up a crusty bread, toss with the tomatoes and dressing and let it sit for about 15 minutes.

Speak Up!

Last week, a neighborhood resident noticed that there was activity that was suspicious at Johnny Appleseed Park on lower Dickinson St and she contacted the police.  Sure enough, the activity was illegal.  The cops got right on it, arrested some people, got the Park Department involved to clean up the park, and made signage so that park rules could be enforced, with the result being that the park is now a safer place for families.

Sometimes there are complaints about the lack of response from the police department.  Sometimes some folks only whine about how bad this or that is, but they never attend the neighborhood police meetings, they never call in a complaint, they never act, they only whine.  Is this you?

Change doesn't happen unless people are willing to stick their neck out and get involved.  Don't leave it to someone else.

Grill it or Roast it

Some of the vegetables now in season are perfect for grilling.  Summer squash, eggplant, peppers, fennel, even corn.  Cut the vegetables in even sized pieces so that they will be done about the same time.  Put them in a bowl with some olive oil and seasoning, and mix them around so that they are covered, then put them on the grill.  If you cook your corn first and then put it on the grill so that it can caramelized a little, it will taste terrific.  Also, doing it that way will insure that the corn is cooked evenly.  Beets are great for roasting.  Everyone has a different method.  I like to peel mine and cut them into pieces. I drizzle them with olive oil, sprinkle on some kosher salt, cover lightly with foil and bake at 375 until they are easily pierced with a fork or knife.  The're very sweet this way.

Neighborhood Block Party

This is the weekend for Trinity Church's neighborhood block party.  Saturday, the 17th, from 4-7:30 on the lawn.  Everyone is welcome and it is FREE.  Rain date is Sunday same time, same place.  Trinity would like to knwo their neighbors, so please go and let your neighbors know about it.

Also, don't forget their Thursday night music series with food and a carillon concert following through July.  6 PM music, 7 PM supper.  $5 donation suggested for supper.

Stanley Park Music

Every Sunday through September 5th, there is a free concert in the Beveridge Pavillion at 6 PM.  It is covered, so the music goes on rain or shine.

Concerned Citizens for Springfield

The next time you are on Forest Park Avenue, check out #134.  Late last year Concerned Citizens got together with several neighbors to rehab this lovely home which had been in disrepair for several years due to the combination of irresponsible owners and tenants.

Not only did the neighbors invest some of their money for repairs, many of them invested their time and energy also.

The home was sold this year and it once again is an asset to their neighborhood.

Concerned Citizens is an all-volunteer organization that has been working on blight remediation in the Forest Park neighborhood since 1995.  Many properties have benn rehabilitated, and others have been built new with CSS' participation.  For example, the 3 homes on the corner of Belmont Ave and Keith St, 340 Dickinson St. and 46 Forest Park Ave are a few of the projects that CCS has taken on.  The biggest project was Longhill Gardens, know known as Forest Park Apartments.  Drive by and take a look at the huge improvement on Longhill St.  Also, CCS removes graffiti, works closely with the code enforcement department to correct problems in the neighborhood, sponsors two community gardens (Dickinson St., and Beaumont St.) and sponsors our wonderful farmers' market.  Thank you CCS.

Posted by bellerita at 02:34 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 06, 2010

Market News - July 6, 2010

From the Market Manager

   I was thinking about the smells of summer the other day. There are two that I absolutely love—the smell of raindrops on hot pavement, and the smell of phlox. The latter smell makes me think of my childhood as my mother always had phlox in her garden.

 

   I hope you brought some cookbooks to give away today. If you didn’t and you have some you don’t use anymore, bring them next week, and anyone who wants to can take one or more. You don’t have to bring any to give away to take any.

 

   It’s interesting to read cookbooks from 50+ years ago. We have so many more foods available to us today. I think a large part of that has to do with the immigrants who have come into the U.S.

 

   In 1976 when I moved from New Hampshire to California, I saw produce in their grocery stores that I had never seen in NH. When I moved back to New England in 1981, I saw some of that interesting produce in our grocery stores and it has increased greatly since then.

 

   Many of those specialty items are at our farmers’ market. Look around and you will find them.

 

Welcome!

 

   See Yang from Flats Mentor Farm in Lancaster joins us today. Flats Mentor Farm is an immigrant farming project that assists and supports small farmers of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Most are Hmong who are an ethnic group from Asia, particularly from the uplands of Laos who have their own language and culture. They assisted the U.S. during the once secret wars in Laos and were persecuted by Laotian and Vietnamese governments after the U.S. left Southeast Asia. Because of their assistance to the U.S. and their persecution, Hmong were allowed to immigrate to the U.S.

 

   If you are unfamiliar with Asian vegetables, go to the library and take out a cookbook. Most of their produce is either used in soups, or is stir-fried.

Mark Your Calendar

 

   This Wednesday, July 7th, the Sector H Citizen/Police meeting will take place at 7 PM at the JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER, 1160 Dickinson St., in the Goldstein Auditorium. They will meet there next month also.

 

   If you’ve never been to the JCC, go early and look around. It’s a terrific facility.

 

   Thursdays in July—Trinity Church’s A Little Night Music. A free concert in the sanctuary at 6, then supper on the lawn, weather permitting, for a $5 contribution, along with carillon music.

 

   Trinity is also having a neighborhood block party on July 17th from 4-7:30PM and it’s FREE. Rain date the 18th. It’s on the lawn at the church. Everyone is welcome.

 

Benson’s Bagels

 

   Not only do they have the best bagels in the area, they’ve also expanded their menu and hours. They have burgers and panninis, AND soft serve ice cream. They are open until 8 every day now. They’re on vacation this week, but will be open Saturday. They’re located at the X.

 

Use Your EBT/Debit/or Credit Card Here

 

   You don’t have to run out of money at our market. Go to the market table and purchase wooden tokens. We will swipe your card and give you tokens that you use just like cash. Each token is worth $2.50.

 

Parking at the Market

 

   Please don’t park on both sides of any driveway; it’s difficult for cars to pass both ways. If there is no parking when you come to the market, just wait a few minutes and something will open up. Or, come a little later, and it won’t be so crazy.

 

Missing Vendors

 

   Every so often one or more of our vendors might not be here. Maybe they’re on vacation, or perhaps they don’t have enough to sell. Whatever it is, you can ask at the market table and we’ll tell you what we know.

 

Fund Raiser for the Market

 

   Do you have books lying around that you aren't going to read anymore? Ron Haislip-Hansberry, the person who takes care of our website, has an online book business and he has a proposal for us. For every hardcover book that he can use he will pay us $1, for every paperback, 50 cents. Any books that he doesn’t use he will donate to a charity. No encyclopedias, no textbooks over 2 years old, no Readers’ Digest Condensed books, and no books that are damaged by water or smoke. You can bring them to the market, or if you have cartons of books, let me know and he can pick them up.

Recipe

 

   Berkshire Mountain chocolate bread, eggs, a little milk, butter. Soak the bread in a mixture of eggs and a little milk. Melt butter and sauté the bread and you will have Chocolate bread French toast. Yum.

 

It’s Blueberry Picking Time!

 

   Val’s on Parker Street in East Longmeadow and Brown’s in Feeding Hills are two local places to pick blueberries. Pick up a copy of CISA’s Locally Grown 2010 issue at the market table and find other places where you can pick your own berries. Pick extra and freeze some.

 

Posted by bellerita at 06:31 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)


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