Celebrate Spring!

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Finally, Spring is upon us.  The magnolia tree in my front yard is in full bloom, the daffodils are up, and my garlic and chives are lush and green.  Spring in Jamaica Plain also brings us the Wake Up the Earth Festival, which has been happening for the past few decades to celebrate the successful fight of Jamaica Plain citizens against the powers that be that kept the I-95 highway from running through the middle of our neighborhood.  This is a celebration of community resilience, and this year, the Egleston Farmers Market is pleased to participate!

The Wake Up the Earth festival is happening on Saturday, May 4th at the Stony Brook park in the Southwest Corridor.  The Egleston Farmers Market at the festival will be located right across the street from the food trucks along the Lamartine Extension (running between Lamartine & Amory Streets).

We are very excited that you will not have to wait until June 1 to get your neighborhood farmers market fix and a bunch of our fabulous vendors have signed up to bring you: starter plants, delicious cheeses, meats, sign you up for CSA’s, provide you with handcrafted sodas, jams, spices and more.  Stop by to say hi to the vendors you know from the winter, and meet a few new ones who will joining us when the market opens on June 1.  We can’t wait to see you.

Egleston Farmers Market at WUTE:

Boston Handyworks (handmade cutting boards)
The Buckle Farm (produce, eggs, csa sign-up)
Foxboro Cheese Co.  (cheese, meat)
Doves and Figs (jams, jellies & preserves)
Great Cape Baking Co. (breads, hot cider donuts)
Green Neighbors Education Committee (learn about becoming a more sustainable citizen)
Foundation for a Green Future
John Crow Farm (produce, meats, csa sign-up)
Nola’s Fresh Foods (salsas)
The Neighborhood Farm (starter plants, note cards)
Simpson Spring (handcrafted sodas)
Soluna Garden Farm (fresh herbs, herb blends, csa sign-up)

 

The Last Word…. For Now.

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Though I am not planning to post this up until after our final market day, I started writing this fresh from the Agricultural conference put on by Harvest New England and coordinated in part by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources - “Making ‘Cents’ in Today’s Marketplace.”  I spent an invigorating afternoon with farmers market managers from around New England in discussions about what it takes to make – and KEEP – a farmers market vital.

What I have realized over the course of planning and implementing this market, and what was reinforced at the conference, is that as much as we can do as market organizers to find locations, vendors and keep our patrons informed, it is key to have a COMMUNITY that supports a local food economy.

Egleston Square Main Streets (Betsy Cowan), Good Egg Marketing (Myrna Greenfield) and the Jamaica Plain New Economy Transition (Orion Kriegman) shared the vision of to have this fantastic community event every week and they all deserve huge applause for the energy, work and talent that they poured into this season.

And you all deserve applause for taking a part in the success of our farmers market(s) - whether you are putting up flyers no matter the weather (thank you volunteers!), making it possible for small scale food makers to produce their amazing wares (thank you Crop Circle!), growing our produce and raising our food (thank you farmers), spending your days out on the ocean to pull in sustainable seafood (thank you fishermen!), providing financial support for grassroots efforts (thank you to all of our fabulous donors from the neighborhood and to NEGEF, The Boston Foundation and Eastern Bank), or making the CHOICE to shop at the market each week it is open (THANK YOU… ALL OF YOU) – you are all doing this.

And I would say we have all done really well.

Keep your eyes peeled for announcements of vendors who will be participating in the upcoming season… applications are coming in as I type!

 

OMG. The Last Winter Market Day Is Upon Us!

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This market has changed me. 

I tweet.  I obsessively check and post to Facebook.  I abbreviate as if it may go out of season like a perfect September crop of basil and tomatoes (e.g., “did you check FB?”, “thanks for volunteering at EFM”, “OMG, it is the last winter market day”, etc.).  I blog.  I email on my orange line commute instead of reading books (I miss fiction).  My phone runs out of batteries… all of the time.  I now carry my phone charger with me… all of the time. 

That said, I have personal relationships with farmers who bust a** to bring you GOOD food.  I know food makers who intentionally source from these very same farmers to create GOOD food for their community.  I learned to trust other people to get things done.  I learned how to make ceviche with fish brought in just hours beforehand.  I learned how truly connected we are in this neighborhood (and in this food community), and how supportive it can really be.  I know that my my neighbors are capable of constantly making our neighborhood better (actually, I have always known this), and that so many of you share this commitment. 

So, as we approach this last day of the 2012-2013 Egleston Farmers Market, I’d like to say thank you to this amazing community of local food economy supporters: growers, makers, buyers, sellers, lovers, talkers, listeners, enforcers, allowers, innovators, mentors, risk takers, financers, neighbors, bloggers, cookers, fishers, chalkers, all of you.

And to end this first AMAZING season, we have put together a really fantastic market for you.   At this weeks market, I am really thrilled that we are the host of yet another incubator project (seafood and seafood throwdown were both pilots!): wine at Boston farmers markets.  Our hosting of Westport Rivers Winery is an exciting development and is really only possible thanks to the Mayor’s forward looking Food Initiatives department head – Edith Murnane.  Be sure to tell her THANK YOU.  Please read on for the list of our vendors, there is something for everyone.  We look forward to seeing you this week… and don’t forget to bring a can for the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry!

Egleston Farmers Market Line-Up – 3/2/2013

FUN STUFF (well, let’s admit, it is all fun):
COFFEE CORNER SPONSOR: ULA CAFE
CRAFT CORNER: DRAMATIC ADVENTURES
MUSIC: ADRIANNA CICCONE (FIDDLE) & GEORGE CLEMENTS (GUITAR)
FOOD TRUCK: MEI MEI STREET KITCHEN

PRODUCE:
BROOKWOOD COMMUNITY FARM
BUCKLE FARM (EGGS & HONEY)
SILVERBROOK FARM
STILLMAN’S FARM
URBAN HYDR-O GROWERS

MEAT/FISH/CHEESE:
FOXBORO CHEESE CO. – CHEESES & VEAL
HICKORY NUT FARM – GOAT CHEESES, MILK & FUDGE
JOHN CROW FARM - MEAT & EGGS
STILLMAN’S AT THE TURKEY FARM - MEAT & EGGS
RED’S BEST – LOCAL, DAYBOAT SEAFOOD

PREPARED FOODS:
AKA MARVELICIOUS - INCREDIBLE VEGAN COOKIES & TREATS OUT OF CCK
THE CUPCAKORY – CUPCAKES AND WHOOPIE PIES OUT OF CCK
GREAT CAPE BAKING – BREADS, DONUTS, GOODIES
NOLA’S FRESH FOODS – AMAZING SALSA OUT OF CCK
VALICENTE ORGANICO – HAND CRAFTED PASTAS AND SAUCES MADE FROM THEIR OWN ORGANIC PRODUCE
VIANNE CHOCOLAT – ARTISAN CHOCOLATES & HOT CHOCOLAT OUT OF CCK
WESTPORT RIVERS WINERY – WINE MADE FROM MASSACHUSETTS GROWN GRAPES

SERVICES & PRODUCTS JUST FOR YOU:
ART – GEORGE ANASTOS, EGLESTON SQUARE ARTIST
BOSTON CYCLISTS UNION – BRAKES WORKSHOP!  BRING YOUR BIKE IN FOR THEM TO LOOK AT!BOSTON HANDYWORKS - GORGEOUS CUTTING BOARDS MADE BY BOSTON MEN AND WOMEN STRUGGLING AGAINST HOMELESSNESS
BOTANICAL SPIRITS – NATURAL SKIN & HAIR CARE, PRODUCED LOCALLY
ENERGY SAVE – ENERGY CONSULTATION OUT OF ROXBURY
JASMINE DOODLE’S - RIDICULOUSLY CUTE HEATING PADS
PRIME – AFRICAN GOODS (SHEA BUTTER, BAGS AND JEWELRY)
REIKI – JULIE TABERMAN
MENDELL SCHOOL RAFFLE

 

Egleston Farmers Market 2/23/2013- It’s Our Next to Last Week – sniffle, sniffle

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The final results of the throw down!

Photo by Kate Peppard, courtesy of NAMA

I have to say, I am relieved that we got that huge snow a couple of weeks ago, as I am just not quite ready to say goodbye to the Egleston Farmers Market yet!  Just imagine, this would have been our final market of the season, but fortunately we are going to be back next week (Satuday 3/2) as well for a make-up day.  Phew. 

Last week’s “Celebrate the Fruits of Our Ocean” event was incredible, with approxiately 550 people attending to watch Jason Tucker of  Red’s Best filet a pollack and to revel in the throw down skills of Marcos, Mira, Irene and Max, who were presented with Maine Gulf Shrimp for the challenge.  Marcos of Tres Gatos narrowly edged out the crew from Mei Mei Street Kitchen to “win” the throw down, but all agreed that the fare put out by both teams was phenomenal.  Congratulations are deserved all around – and you can stop by this week to say hello to the Mei Mei crew and let them know how impressed you are with their skills!

Councilor Arroyo guided us through the event beautifully and our judges panel (David Warner of City Feed, Jared Auerbach (CEO of Red’s Best), Representative Liz Malia, Justin Dunk from Ula Cafe, Harry Perez from Plaza Meat Market, and Brian Sanchez, our Market Youth Ambassadors) had the difficult job of tasting the creations and passing their expert judgements.  We thank them all for their hard work and for taking the time to spend with us at the market.

So, what is on for this week? 

Grab your complimentary cup of Ula coffee, enjoy fiddle playing by Bronwyn Keith Hynes and visit with your farmers and food makers.  Boston Handyworks is going to be back in with their gorgeous cutting boards (did anyone notice that Marcos Sanchez purchased one to use during the throw down?) and Silverbrook Farm is joining us with their produce and fantastic eggs.

We have a few interesting things happening, not least of which is the maple sugar evaporator being brought over from Agricultural Hall!  Bill Perkins is going to demo the maple sugar evaporation process, so you can see first hand how maple syrup is made!  We also have a couple of groups in who are raffling off some great prizes.  You can support the Mendell School and Our Lady of Lourdes, who are both fundraising to support their programs.  As well, our kid’s craft corner is being hosted by Egleston artist, George Anastos who will be making his ever-so-cute magnets with your little ones.

Sadly, we bid adieu to both Seta’s Mediterannean and Ruuska Pickles who are not able to attend through the end of the season… but read on to plan your market shopping attack as we are keeping things going strong through next week!  Please mark your calendars for our make-up day on 3/2.  It is hard to believe that this week was going to be our final market day, but we are squeezing one more in.  Get your market fix before we close up shop for a few months.

And the usual reminder for you: BRING IN YOUR CANS!  Trade your canned goods for raffle tickets; your support of the St. Vincent de Paul’s food pantry gives you a chance at a $150 gift card to The Butcher Shop.  Our goal is to get 150 cans – we are only at 10!  C’mon JP, you know you CAN do better than that.

 Now, here’s the skinny on the market vendors this week:

Complimentary Coffee Corner is sponsored by Ula Cafe
Food Truck: who else, Mei Mei Street Kitchen!
Kid’s Corner: fun magnet making with Egleston artist, George Anastos
Music: Fiddler Bronwyn Keith Hynes is joining us

Vendor Stall Assignments:

1) JULIE TABERMAN – REIKI – curious or in the know? Get a treatment at the market!
2) DR. MICHAEL LOWNEY – Interested in Osteopathy?  The doctor is in!
3) JOHN CROW FARM – humanely raised meats (beef, lamb, pork, they have goat, too!)
4) URBAN HYDR-O FARMERS – our favorite hydroponic growers are at a STEM conference this week, but will be back for the final market on 3/2
5) NOLA’S FRESH SALSA – fantastic condiments, fresh out of Crop Circle
6) STILLMAN’S TF – the usually fantastic selection of humanely raised meats (beef, lamb, pork)
7) STILLMAN’S FARM – great selection of produce, winter storage apples and more!
8) RED’S BEST – sustainably sourced seafood by local fishermen
9) GREAT CAPE BAKING - many breads for the offering, and when we are lucky, donuts. Let’s convince Patience to bring hot donuts for the final week on 3/2!
10) VIANNE CHOCOLAT – gorgeous, handcrafted chocolates out of Crop Circle!
11) VALICENTI ORGANICO – hand crafted pastas and pasta sauce (using their own tomatoes and basil), pair it up with some mozzarella from Foxboro.
12) FOXBORO CHEESE – many different cheese offerings, as well as
13) MARKET INFO & EBT
14) SILVERBROOK FARM - Jumping in for the last couple of weeks at the market is Silverbrook Farm!  They also vend at Codman Square.
15) BUCKLE FARM – Farmer Jim is presenting at a conference this week, so will not be in with us, he’ll be back next week for the final week of the winter market.
16) THE CUPCAKORY – amazing cupcakes and whoopie pies right out of Crop Circle Kitchen.
17) HICKORY NUT FARM – goat cheese, fudge and soap.
18) AKA MARVELICIOUS – Delicious, vegan cookies, out of Crop Circle Kitchen
19) ENERGY SAVE – Owen Toney will be with us to help make recommendations for you to save on your energy usage
20) MENDELL SCHOOL RAFFLE – The Mendell School is fundraising and has some really great prizes on offer – tickets to sporting events, an iPad and lots more.
21) BOSTON CYCLISTS UNION – Offering a workshop on rotational systems
22) OPEN
23) OUR LADY OF LOURDES RAFFLE – get a ticket for a chance at a large, flat screen tv
24) BOSTON HANDY WORKS – beautiful, hand crafted cutting boards by a Pine Street Inn program – chop up your veggies and fish on one of these and help end homelessness!
25) OPEN

Video Highlights of JP Seafood Throwdown at Egleston Farmers Market

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Did you catch the Seafood Throwdown at Egleston Farmers Market on February 16? The secret ingredient was shrimp.

It was a close competition, but chef Marcos Sanchez of Tres Gatos edged out chef Irene Li of Mei Mei Street Kitchen. I’ll testify that both dishes were delicious!

Check out this short video of the Seafood Throwdown by Michelle Johnson:

Celebrate the Fruits of Our Ocean – 2/16/2013

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Poster Fruits Ocean-brownWe are thrilled to be hosting the event  ”Celebrate the Fruits of Our Ocean” this week at the Egleston Farmers Market.  This market event is a part of a broader promotional campaign by NAMA, BCFF and Health Care Without Harm, discussing the importance of supporting sustainable fishing practices, the health benefits of eating fish, and also promoting farmers markets (such as ours!) that sell locally caught, fresh fish.

We are lucky to have Red’s Best at our market this season as a a part of the City’s farmers market fish pilot program.  Red’s Best is a leader in the support of local fisheries, and have been able to bring you fresh fish, caught in sustainable ways, by local fishermen.  Red’s Best is a local leader in this effort and, in addition to vending at the market (as they do every week), this week as a part of our event, they will be doing a fish filet demonstration.

Of course, the main event will be the Fish Throw Down – a cooking competition between Mei Mei Street Kitchen’s (Irene Li) and Tres Gatos’ Marcos Sanchez. They will shop at the market then cook for a panel of judges that include: David Warner of City Feed, Jared Auerbach (CEO of Red’s Best), Representative Liz Malia, Justin Dunk from Ula Cafe, Harry Perez from Plaza Meat Market, and one of our Market Youth Ambassadors!  The emcee for the fish event will be Councilor Felix Arroyo, who is sure to keep the momentum going throughout the day!  Market attendees will have a chance to taste the fare – but slots are limited so get there early to sign up.

Of course, you must be curious about where our Fish Throw Down Competitors will have a chance to shop this week, as you will be able to shop with these same vendors.

Complimentary Coffee Corner is sponsored by Ula Cafe
Food Truck: who else, Mei Mei Street Kitchen!
Kid’s Corner: educational crafts focused on sustainable fishing and fish sponsored by Health Care Without Harm
Music: Nine Pound Pick Axe – blue grass fiddle courtesy of Laura Smith

Vendor Stall Assignments:

1) JULIE TABERMAN – REIKI – curious or in the know?  Get a treatment at the market!
2) BOOTSTRAP COMPOST – stop by to see how they can make it easy for you to compost!
3) JOHN CROW FARM – humanely raised meats (beef, lamb, pork, they have goat, too!)
4) URBAN HYDR-O FARMERS – amazing hydroponic greens (basil! spinach! bok choi!) grown by Boston high school students
5) NOLA’S FRESH SALSA – fantastic condiments, fresh out of Crop Circle
6) STILLMAN’S TF – the usually fantastic selection of humanely raised meats (beef, lamb, pork)
7) STILLMAN’S FARM – great selection of produce, winter storage apples and more!
8) RED’S BEST - sustainably sourced, locally harvested fish
9) FISH THROWDOWN – Station 1!
9A) FISH THROWDOWN – Station 2!
10) VIANNE CHOCOLAT – gorgeous, handcrafted chocolates out of Crop Circle!
11) VALICENTI ORGANICO – hand crafted pastas and pasta sauce (using their own tomatoes and basil), pair it up with some mozzarella from Foxboro.
12) FOXBORO CHEESE – many different cheese offerings, as well as
13) MARKET INFO & EBT
14) BROOKWOOD FARM – Emma will be sharing their winter surplus with us!  We are lucky to be sharing them for the last part of the season with Codman.
15) BUCKLE FARM – Farmer Jim will be bringing in his winter stores, including honey, eggs, garlic, onions and winter squash… we might even be lucky enough to have some greens.
16) THE CUPCAKORY – amazing cupcakes and whoopie pies right out of Crop Circle Kitchen.
17) HICKORY NUT FARM – goat cheese, fudge and soap.
18) AKA MARVELICIOUS – Delicious, vegan cookies, out of Crop Circle Kitchen
19) VIRIDIAN ENERGY CONSULT – BYOB = Bring Your Own Bill and SAVE.  You can sign up for green energy delivery AND save money.  Worth a try.
20) BPL – LIBRARY CARD SIGN-UP
21) BOSTON CYCLISTS UNION – Offering a workshop on rotational systems
22) GREAT CAPE BAKING – many breads for the offering, and when we are lucky, donuts.  Hopefully this week!
23) RUUSKA PICKLES – sour, dill, hot, delicious and perfectly crisp pickles
24) BOSTON HANDY WORKS – beautiful, hand crafted cutting boards by a Pine Street Inn program – chop up your veggies and fish on one of these and help end homelessness!
25) DOVES & FIGS – savory and sweet preserves – perfect for cooking with fish!

 

 

It’s a Market Snow Day – EFM Cancelled 2/9/13!

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Winter storm “Nemo” is heading for New England and is bound to have a lot of impact on our region.  Given that the heaviest snow fall and storm conditions will be happening late Friday night into Saturday morning, we have decided to call a snow day for the market.  We encourage all of our market fans and patrons to do what they can to help shovel out their neighbors, especially those who are in need of assistance.

We will be back on Saturday 2/16 with the exciting “Celebrate the Fruits of Our Ocean” event!  This market event is a part of a broader promotional campaign by NAMA, BCFF and Health Care Without Harm, discussing the importance of supporting sustainable fishing practices, the health benefits of eating fish, and also promoting farmers markets (such as ours!) that sell locally caught, fresh fish.  Our event will be featuring a Fish Throw Down – a cooking competition between Mei Mei Street Kitchen’s (Irene Li) and Tres Gatos’ Marcos Sanchez.  They will shop at the market then cook for a panel of judges.  Market attendees will also have a chance to taste the fare – but slots are limited so get there early to sign up!

Enjoy the snow as best you can, and we will see you next week!

 

 

Super Bowl Stock Up!

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Whether you’re a football fan or not, we can all take advantage of the fun food that Super Bowl weekend seems to like to pair itself with: chips and salsa, grilled meats and fish, multi-layer dips, chilies, and more!

Lucky for you, this year you can stock up your Super Bowl provisions at the Egleston Farmers Market, which means you can do Super Bowl-style food using locally produced food and food that is good for you! Buying directly from YOUR growers and food makers is a win for everyone.

Speaking of ways to win at the Egleston Farmers Market: exchange your canned goods for a raffle ticket and help stock up the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. Your raffle ticket gives you a chance to win a $150 gift card to The Butcher Shop!  We’re running this “Egleston CAN” event through the end of February and you can bring cans in every week to boost your chances.

So, what are the Super Bowl stock up opportunities this week?  Well, we have plenty to fill up your menu on game day, plus lots more!

Want some fresh salsa? Nola’s Fresh Salsa out of the Crop Circle Kitchen is joining our market! Hummus and grape leaves?  Stop by and see Seta. Maybe grilled sausage is your thing? Well, John Crow Farm and Stillman’s at the Turkey Farm can hook you up there. A little slice of condiment heaven can be found at Doves and Figs (guest vendor this week) – savory and sweet spreads to compliment cheeses (Foxboro and Hickory Nut!), chocolate (Vianne!), bread (Great Cape) and more.

Read on for a full list of vendors, including music, bike repair lessons, kids corner activities and our coffee corner sponsor of the month. Many of our vendors accept credit cards, and the market does, too! We’re also a SNAP/EBT market and participate in the Bounty Bucks program.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday from 11am-2pm!

VENDORS & SPECIALS AT THE EGLESTON FARMERS MARKET, SATURDAY 2/2/13
  • MUSIC: ADELA & JUDE, Americana duo
  • FOOD TRUCK: Mei Mei Street Kitchen is back in action this week (frozen pipes kept them away last week)!
  • COFFEE CORNER SPONSOR: Ula Cafe is our coffee corner sponsor for the entire month of February! Enjoy a hot cup of coffee on them and be sure to stop into see them and say thanks!
  • KIDS CORNER: The Friends of the Egleston Square Library will be hosting story time throughout the market day and will also have books and tote bags for sale.
SERVICES: 
  • REIKI with Julie Taberman
  • VERIDIAN ENERGY CONSULT – bring in your energy bills to save money and the environment by switching to the Veridian service
  • BIKE REPAIR – It is derailleurs this week with the Boston Cyclists Union
PRODUCE: 
  • URBAN HYDR-O FARMERS
  • BROOKWOOD FARM
  • BUCKLE FARM (PLUS EGGS)
  • STILLMAN’S FARM
MEAT (BEEF, GOAT, LAMB & PORK), FISH & EGGS
  • JOHN CROW FARM – MEAT & EGGS
  • STILLMAN’S AT THE TURKEY FARM – MEAT & EGGS
  • RED’S BEST – SEAFOOD
PREPARED FOODS, SWEETS & TREATS
  • BENEVOLENT BEE – HONEY AND OTHER BEE PRODUCTS (CANDLES, SALVE, ETC.)
  • PRIME – AFRICAN ART & GOODS
  • GREAT CAPE BAKING – BREAD, TEA BREADS, DONUTS
  • VIANNE CHOCOLAT
  • VALICENTI ORGANICO – PASTA & SAUCE
  • FOXBORO CHEESE (PLUS EGGS!)
  • THE CUPCAKORY – CUPCAKES & WHOOPIE PIES
  • HICKORY NUT FARM – GOAT CHEESE, SOAP & FUDGE
  • AKA MARVALICIOUS – VEGAN COOKIES
  • NOLA’S FRESH SALSA
  • SETA’S MEDITERRANEAN – HUMMUS, PITA. GRAPE LEAVES, FALAFAL
  • RUUSKA PICKLES
  • BOTANICAL SPIRITS – ALL NATURAL, HAND CRAFTED SKIN & HAIR CARE
  • DOVES & FIGS – SEASONALLY CRAFTED PRESERVES

Local Wine Vendor at Egleston Farmers Market: Yea or Nay?

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Egleston Farmers Market is potentially interested in having a local wine vendor sell bottles of wine at the market.  If approved, we would be the first Farmers Market in the city of Boston to have a wine vendor.

We would love to get your opinion as to whether you think this is a good or bad idea.  If you want to weigh in, please send us your feedback by this Wednesday, January 30, at noon if possible, as we will be presenting information to the city on Wednesday evening.  (If you see this posting after Wednesday, please continue to send your input until Sunday, February 3, as we can still use it.)

Please email your feedback, including your name, address, and point of view, to eglestonfarmersmarket@gmail.com.  Your responses will be shared with the city, but will not be published or made public.

Please let us know what you think. This is your market – we’re here to serve you.