Weekly market report highlights vendors

Local journalist Rebekah Peterson from My Broadsheet has been attending the market to interview and highlight various market vendors. From Bayfield’s berries to Bread Star Rising’s baked goods, to last week’s report on the first sighting of apples from Veseli Vrsek Orchard, Peterson’s interviews enlighten market customers to the work behind the produce, plants, baked goods and other local food finds at the market. If you haven’t had a chance to read the articles, you can find them here:

Mao Lee

Bayfield Fruit

Humble Acres

Svihel Vegetable Farm

Bread Star Rising

Veseli Orchard

Happy National Farmers Market Week!

According to the USDA National Farmers Market Directory, the number of farmers markets have quadrupled since 1994. This is great news for local producers, consumers and communities around the country benefiting from these vibrant gatherings.

This week, the vibrant gathering at the Midtown Farmers market will celebrate National Farmers Market week with produce aplenty as well as our Midtown Flavors Cooking Demo with Lisa McDonald, Second Saturday Family Activity with Martha Zemur, gardening advice from Master Gardeners, entertainment, prepared food and more!

~Blueberries, tomatoes, sweet corn, broccoli, peas, green beans, kohlrabi, carrots, radishes, turnips, beets, cabbage, lettuce, spinach, kale, swiss chard, arugula, scallions, onions, leeks, potatoes, summer squash and zucchini, cucumbers, herbs, maple syrup, wild rice, artisan breads, flowers, bedding plants and seedlings

~Kabobs, omelets, popsicles, croissants, fruit tarts, kettle corn and bubble tea

~Soaps, oils and other apothecary products

This week at the market:  

Featuring Thai-Style Grilled Corn Soup and Couscous with Corn and Blue Cheese (see recipes below). 

Master Gardeners

Oxfam Action Corps 

MN Transitions Charter School 

U of MN School of Public Health : Estudio de Tele Bebidas  

Market Music

11am – 1pm Silva Sol & Snapdragon Seeds

Thank you to Saturday’s Market Sponsor!

Midtown Flavors Recipes:

Thai-Style Grilled Corn Soup

This quick summer soup can be served hot or cold. The recipe is from Fine Cooking and serves four.

Ingredients

2 cups low-salt chicken broth

1   14 oz. can of light coconut milk

1 Tbs. red curry paste

2 Ears of Grilled Corn

2 Tbs. of fresh lime juice

1 Tbs. fish sauce

1 Tbs. grated lime zest

¼ teas. Kosher salt

2 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

In a medium saucepan, whisk 2 cups of chicken broth, coconut milk and red curry paste over medium high heat until smooth and simmering, about two minutes.

Add the kernels from the 2 ears of grilled corn and simmer, stirring occasionally until hot, about 3 minutes. Off the heat, stir in the fresh lime, juice, grated lime zest and salt.

Serve garnished with the chopped cilantro and thinly sliced red chiles.

Couscous with Corn and Blue Cheese

This is a recipe from Fine Cooking. I use 1/8 of a teaspoon of cayenne because I like the spicy contrast but you can use more or less to taste.

Ingredients

2 Tbs. unsalted butter
1 tsp. coarsely chopped fresh thyme
2 cups fresh corn kernels (from 3 to 4 medium ears)
1 cup sliced scallions (white and green parts)
Kosher salt
1 cup couscous
1/8 teaspoon of cayenne
2 Tbs. crumbled blue cheese
Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Melt the butter in a 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the thyme and cook until fragrant, a few seconds. Add the corn, scallions, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the scallions are softened, about 1 minute. Add 1 cup couscous, stir, and then add 1 cup of boiling water and the cayenne and stir again.

Remove from the heat, cover, and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, stir in 2 Tbs. crumbled blue cheese, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Celebrate Farmers Markets during National Farmers Market Week : August 4th – 10th

There is no better time to celebrate farmers market than during National Farmers Market week which takes place this year from August 4th to August 10th. In preparation for National Farmers Market Week, we’re reflecting on how farmers markets support healthy communities: They preserve America’s farmland, stimulate local economies, increase access to fresh, nutritious food, and support healthy communities. Farmers markets are increasing in numbers in Minnesota and around the country, allowing more communities to reap the benefits!

Show support of your local farmers market by visiting the market on Saturday from 8am-1pm or Tuesday from 3pm-7pm, by donating to the market to allow us to continue to keep vendor fees down and work towards equitable access to healthy, local produce, and by volunteering with the market to build capacity and strength of the market.

Thank you for supporting the market!

What’s Available? 

Summer Produce Abounds!

The time of year has finally come when our market shopping bags are overflowing with lettuce, squash, peas, radishes and more, while gardens are (hopefully) producing an abundance of produce as well.  If you haven’t already, you may soon reach a point where you realize you have too much produce on hand! While it is joyous to find that we have finally reached the abundant part of summer, it is also important to think about how to use excess produce so it doesn’t go to waste. Too much basil  in the bundle you purchased? Why not dry or freeze excess herbs or even make then into a tasty herb butter? Did the farmer offer you an excellent 2-for-1 deal on green beans? Don’t be afraid to pickle some!

Another excellent option for excess produce in your garden or at the farmers market is donating it to a food shelf. A simple way to do this is find Sister’s Camelot at the market when the market closes. They will take excess produce and distribute it in South Minneapolis neighborhoods. You can also find food shelves in the area that will take produce at AmpleHarvest.org. Take advantage of the summer produce abundance and help farmers markets and gardeners prevent produce from going to waste!

Thank You to our Composting Partners:

 

 

This week at the market: 

Welcome the Colors of the Summer Market!

Now that Mid-July is here and the growing season is in full swing the market is gaining color every day! The luscious reds of strawberries, the yellows and greens of gorgeous summer squash and zucchini, the deep purple of kohlrabi and the vibrancy of our customers fill the market each Saturday from 8am – 1pm and Tuesdays from 3pm – 7pm.

Early birds are welcome to join us at the market at 8am this Saturday for Yoga with Billy (Elizabeth) Harness from the YWCA. Then enjoy the colorful market sights and smells with your neighbors, learn more about reducing waste from the Master Composters, join Martha for the Second Saturday Activity and so much more! Stop by Tuesday for dinner from Tollefson’s Family Pork, and pick up your weekly produce, bread and more.

Thanks to everyone who has made our composting program a success thus far. Keep up the great work and don’t forget – food and paper scraps in the compost bin! If you are interested in helping us implement the program, email us at info@midtownfarmersmarket.org

Bike to the Market this Saturday!

This Saturday, join us at the market to celebrate and promote alternative transportation. Bike to the Midtown Farmers Market, where you will be greeted by Calhoun Cycle’s Bike Valet service. Present your helmet to the market booth to enter a raffle for prizes such as a $100 gift certificate to Erik’s Bike shop and Midtown Farmers Market bike paniers. Be one of the first 25 patrons to show your helmet at the market booth and get a free water bottle. Then check out some biking resources such as basic maintenance tips and free safety checks. If you don’t have a bike, NiceRide MN will be there offering tours and trials of their bike rental services. Sign up for a tour here and get a free helmet!

Once you’ve worked up an appetite from all of that biking enjoy some delicious breakfast or lunch, great local music and grab some farm fresh produce. Come out to the market to catch up with neighbors and enjoy the fresh open air!

Thanks to everyone who has made our composting program a success thus far. Keep up the great work and don’t forget – food and paper scraps in the compost bin!

What’s Available? 

This Saturday find:

~Strawberries, asparagus, broccoli, snap peas, green beans, radishes, turnips, lettuce, spinach, kale, swiss chard, arugula, bok choy, scallions, onions, baby red potatoes, pattypan summer squash, rhubarb, dried chiles, herbs, grass-fed beef, pasture raised pork and chicken, lamb, eggs, cheese, butter, yogurt, jams and jellies, pickled veggies, maple syrup, artisan breads, granola, flowers, bedding plants and seedlings

~Coffee, tea, scones, croissants, cookies, fruit tarts, breakfast pastries, sambusas, breakfast sandwiches, omelets, kabobs, burgers, tacos, burritos, tamales, kettle corn, and popsicles

~Jewelry, ceramics and pottery, photography, hand sewn clothing, handmade soap and cutting boards

This Tuesday find:

~Strawberries, radishes, lettuce, salad mix, beta mix, spinach, arugula, collards, scallions, onions, baby red potatoes, rhubarb, pea shoots, salad turnips, kale, yukina savoy, herbs, pasture raised pork and artisan breads

~Burgers, bratwursts, hot dogs, pork chops, popsicles, scones, croissants, cookies and fruit tarts

This week at the market: 

 

Saturday, June 29 : Bike Day!

 

Bike Resources: 

Calhoun Cycle – Bike Valet

Spokes – Tips and assistance in basic bike maintenance

Full Cycle - Bike Safety Checks

Nice Ride Minnesota – Bike rental tours / trial. (sign up here)

Midtown Greenway Coalition – Information about the Greenway, maps and more!

Metro Transit – Bus Bike Racks (practice putting your bike on the bus!)

Market Entertainment:

9am – 11am : Kevin  Thomas

11am – 1pm : Silver City Millers

 

Tuesday, July 2

 

Community Tables

Spokes 

Pew Charitable Trusts

Youth CARE

Minnesota Arms Spending Alternatives Project

Market Musicians: 

5pm – 7pm : Minneapolis Street Beat Marching Band / 34th Street Jazz Band

Thanks to Saturday’s Market Sponsor:

Upcoming Market Events

 

July 6 : Open Eye Driveway Tour at the Market

Performances at the top of every hour from 9am to 12pm.

July 10 : Dine out for the Market at  Gandhi Mahal

Join market supporters for a delicious, sustainable meal as well as market music and children’s activities led by Martha Zemur. Activities will go from 5pm – 8pm and 10% of the profits from the evening will go towards supporting the Midtown Farmers Market.

July 18 : Night out for the Market at the Rail Station

The Rail Station will be supporting the market by donating 10% of all profits from the day to the Midtown Farmers Market. Stop by for tasty food, drinks and support equitable access to local, healthy food!

July 27 : Blood Drive at the Market with Memorial Blood Centers

We are happy to welcome Memorial Blood Centers once again as we host our second blood drive of the season and ask market patrons to come out and donate! The first 25 presenting donors will receive a FREE pots & flower seeds. To make an appointment go to www.mbc.org/searchdrives and enter the sponsor code 3991.

July 27 : Yoga at the Market led by Shira Charis of One Yoga

BYO Yoga mats and water

 

Volunteer with the Midtown Farmers Market! 

Interested in helping the market this summer? We are looking for volunteers to help us build capacity in several areas, including:

• Monitoring compost stations
• Helping with set up and tear down at the market
• Outreach
• Event planning
• Digital marketing

If you are interested in helping, please contact us at info@midtownfarmersmarket.org or stop by the market booth and tell us how you’d like to help. We couldn’t make the market happen without the help of our volunteers!

Midsummer at the Market

Believe it or not, this Friday, June 21st marks Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year! What better way to celebrate Summer Sostice than by starting your day on Saturday with Yoga at 8am! Elizabeth Harness will be leading yoga at the market this week (BYO yoga mat and water).

After yoga, be sure to stop by the Midtown Flavors Cooking Demo Booth to sample some delicious salads made from vendor ingredients. The market provides ample opportunity to celebrate summer solstice by connecting you to your food and the producers of your food. And don’t forget, when you’re done with your breakfast, lunch, or mid-afternoon market snack, be sure to compost you paper products and food scraps in our green composting bins and help us reduce our waste!

Thank You to our Composting Partners:

What’s Available?

This Saturday find:
~Asparagus, radishes, lettuce, spinach, scallions, kale, rhubarb, herbs, grass-fed beef, pasture raised pork and chicken, lamb, eggs, cheese, yogurt, butter, honey, jams and jellies, pickled veggies, maple syrup, artisan breads, granola, bedding plants and seedlings
~Coffee, tea, scones, croissants, cookies, fruit tarts, breakfast sandwiches, omelets, burgers, arepas, tamales, Thai dishes, kettle corn, and popsicles
~Jewelry, pottery and ceramics, hand sewn clothing, handmade soap, cutting boards, and photography

This Tuesday find:
~Asparagus, radishes, lettuce, spinach, scallions, rhubarb, pea shoots, salad turnips, arugula, kale, yukina savoy, herbs, pasture raised pork and artisan breads
~Kabobs, Thai dishes, iced tea, popsicles, scones, croissants, cookies and fruit tarts
~Handmade soap and cutting boards

This week at the market:

Saturday, June 22

8:00am Yoga at the Market with Elizabeth Harness

BYO Yoga Mats and Water

Midtown Flavors Cooking Demonstration with Lisa McDonald

Midtown Market Flavors will feature Spring into Salad on Saturday, June 22. A variety of healthy salads and easy dressings will be available for market patrons to sample along with take-home recipes. Spring greens with goat cheese and toasted pecans are a wonderful basic salad this time of year. This salad pops with the addition of Red Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette. You can also use it as a marinade for grilled chicken or pork.

Community Tables:

Master Gardeners
Learning to Talk Project
Cooperatives Energy Futures

Market Entertainment:

9am – 11am Sergio
11am – 1pm The Music lab

Tuesday, June 25

Market Musicians:

4pm – 6pm Chris Bell

Thanks to this Saturday’s sponsor:

Volunteer with the Midtown Farmers Market!

Interested in helping the market this summer? We are looking for volunteers to help us build capacity in several areas, including:

Dirt Day and Composting at the Market!

This Saturday, in celebration of Dirt Day, the market will kick off its composting program. We have partnered with Hennepin County Master Composters, Welna Ace Hardware and Giving Tree Gardens to decrease our waste production at the market and take another step towards our goal of sustainability.

To make our composting program successful, we need the help of our market customers! Before you throw something away, stop and think: “Am I putting this in the right bin? Is this paper or food scraps? Is this compostable or recyclable?” Making informed decisions about what we do with our waste will help us reduce the amount we produce and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable community and environment.

In addition to launching our composting program, we will have Master Gardeners and Composters on hand to answer any of your gardening and composting questions. The Women’s Environmental Institute will also be at the market providing information on vermiculture and vermicomposting.

Thank You to our Composting Partners:

What’s Available?

This Saturday find:
~Asparagus, radishes, lettuce, spinach, scallions, kale, rhubarb, herbs, grass-fed beef, pasture raised pork and chicken, lamb, eggs, cheese, yogurt, butter, honey, jams and jellies, pickled veggies, maple syrup, artisan breads, granola, bedding plants and seedlings
~Coffee, tea, scones, croissants, cookies, fruit tarts, breakfast sandwiches, omelets, burgers, arepas, tamales, Thai dishes, kettle corn, and popsicles
~Jewelry, pottery and ceramics, hand sewn clothing, handmade soap, cutting boards, and photography

This Tuesday find:
~Asparagus, radishes, lettuce, spinach, scallions, rhubarb, pea shoots, salad turnips, arugula, kale, yukina savoy, herbs, pasture raised pork and artisan breads
~Kabobs, Thai dishes, iced tea, popsicles, scones, croissants, cookies and fruit tarts
~Handmade soap and cutting boards

This week at the market: 

 Saturday, June 15

Community Tables:

Master Gardeners

Master Composters

Minnesota Transitions Charter School

Cooperatives Energy Futures

Women’s Environmental institute

Thank’s to Saturday’s Market Sponsor:

Donate Blood at the Market!

Memorial Blood Centers will be returning to the market on Saturday, June 1st from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm to accept blood donations. All blood types are needed, especially Type O.  

Sign up for an appointment and enter Sponsor Code: 3991. The first 25 presenting donors will receive a FREE t-shirt and all donors will be entered into a drawing to win a pair of premium Minnesota Twins tickets.

Once you’ve donated blood, be sure to replenish yourself with some delicious food from our many vendors, pick up some fresh produce, enjoy live music, story time and more! If you can’t get everything you need on Saturday, don’t worry. June 4th marks the first Tuesday market of the Season!

What’s Available? 

This Saturday find:

~Asparagus, lettuce, spinach, scallions, rhubarb, grass-fed beef, pasture raised pork and chicken, lamb, eggs, cheese, yogurt, butter, jams and jellies, pickled veggies, maple syrup, artisan breads, granola, bedding plants and seedlings

~Coffee, tea, scones, croissants, cookies, fruit tarts, breakfast sandwiches, omelets, burgers, pork chops, arepas, tamales, tacos and popsicles

~Handmade bird houses, furniture, jewelry, hand sewn clothing, handmade soap, cutting boards, tie dye t-shirts and photography

 Support your Midtown Farmers Market November 15th! 

With your support, the market has set a record this year dispersing $18,500 in EBT  (food stamps), allowing low-income families access to healthy, local produce.

The market serves more than 55,000 customers a year, and here’s is what some of them say about why they love the market:

” Midtown Farmers Market is energizing and impacting local and organic food streams and sustainability way beyond the neighborhood it serves.”

“Great atmosphere, music, great farmers/growers, close by, friendly, good prices, my community.”

“oh so local! Captures the spirit and vibe of South Central Minneapolis”

“Makes you feel proud to live in the Twin Cities!”

“Lots of great fresh food with a strong sense of community”

Show your love for the market tomorrow on Give to the Max Day. Support local farmers, healthy communities and sustainable agriculture by donating to the Midtown Farmers Market!