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.