August 12, 2017 Market Day: Rain or Shine! Live Music, Maple, Wine, Tower Beverages, SO MUCH PRODUCE!

This week our market will feature live music by two talented Berklee College grads, Kittredge Candles and All About Corks are here, and of course our farmers will have plenty of freshly picked produce including the first apples. The Wakefield Farmers Market takes place at Hall Park, on the shores of Lake Quannapowitt, each Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. through October 14, 2017. To give directions to a friend, just tell them to use 468 North Ave via GPS.

This Saturday wraps up both National and Massachusett’s Farmers Market Week, both celebrated each year to recognize the positive contributions of farmers’ markets to agriculture, public health, the strength of local food systems, and stronger communities. “This week, and all season long, we are proud to celebrate Massachusetts many farmers’ markets and support the continued viability of family farms, local food production and community camaraderie,” said Governor Charles Baker. “I encourage all Massachusetts residents to visit a farmers’ market and purchase fresh Massachusetts-grown products to support your local farmers.”

But of course, in our town, every week is Farmers Market Week thanks to our wonderful farmers and other vendors, the super WFM Volunteer Team, (new members always welcome) and everyone who plays music, twists balloon, provides special events, presents cooking demos, or come to shop, play, or just hang out.

We are excited to welcome Gentle Temper to our music tent this week. This ocean folk duo with a blues tide is made up of Marion Earley and Ryan Meier, and hails from the bayous of Allston, MA. Marion and Ryan met while attending Berklee College in Boston and began writing and playing together in their fourth year. Their live sound builds on a sturdy foundation of lyrical storytelling, animated harmonies, and instrumental development. this duo has opened for national touring acts LOLO, Bombadil, and 2014 NPR Favorite New Artist, The Family Crest. The Wakefield Farmers Market Music Program is sponsored by The Savings Bank.

We will not have a cooking demo this week, but we will have recipes and the recipe board at the Market Manager tent. You will want to get a copy of the recipe for Vegetarian Corn Chowder with an Asian Twist that Suman Shah of forkonaroad.com created last Saturday! You can also always find our recipes on our new Market Kitchen Tent website: wfmmarketkitchen.site You can go directly to our new site (and be sure to bookmark it!) or click the link to it via our main website. All recipes present easy, healthy, and tasty ways to use one or more types of produce offered by our farmers. Next week you will again find the Market Kitchen tent to the left of the Market Manager tent. Stop by to try a bite! Cooking demos typically start around 10:00 a.m.

Yarrow will be with us making his magic with balloons, the Kid’s Activity tent will be stocked with plenty of paper and crayons, and we always have hula hoops, sidewalk chalk, and jump ropes on hand for kids of all ages.

Before we go to the vendor list, here are this week’s specials and news from our vendors:

Emmett’s Edibles -Buy 3 snack packs for 18.00 and choose your dog’s favorite treats.

Charlton Orchards will have Apples!

And, don't forget, SNAP folks: you can get your HIP benefits by shopping at Farmer Dave's!

Now, here’s what you’ve been waiting for – the official list of week’s vendors!

Produce: Charlton Orchards, Farmer Dave, and Kelly's Farm – fresh apples are here, plus all the berries and greens, stone fruits, corn, tomatoes, summer squashes and so much more.! Flat’s Mentor Farm has its signature pea tendrils and amazing herbs, as well as more traditional local veggies. Hoping for lemongrass!

Dried Legumes: Farmer Dave’s has Baer’s Beans! Grown and dried in Maine by Farmers Charley and Carol Baer, they are the best and so fresh there is no need to soak before cooking.

Pasture-raised Meats, Poultry, and Eggs: As always, Lilac Hedge Farm has a great assortment of locally raised meats, poultry, and eggs, along with their local. honey. They also often have yummy jerky type products, including dog treats, as well. Charlton Orchards also always has eggs along with their other family farm fare.

Cheese: West River Creamery. Be sure to stop by and get some of the very best cheese, including hard cheeses, an amazing blue that will knock your socks off, and soft goat cheeses as well. The very best cheese around!

Seafood: Michelle Kraft aka The Fish Lady has excellent locally caught seafood from Red’s Best. The scallop have been especially amazing this year. She also often offers seafood frozen right off the boat for those who want to have seafood that tastes like fresh later in the week.

Specialty Foods: Ackermann’s Maple Farm, Deano's Pasta, Habibi Gourmet with Middle Eastern foods, and In Good Taste is here this week. Farmer Dave’s stand has dried apples, jarred sauces, and more made from their produce depending on the week. Charlton Orchards also has tasty jarred salsa, and jams, and pickles from their kitchen. And for pickled veggies and amazing mustards, get those from Jane at the West River Creamery tent.

Baked Goods: Goodies Homemade (cookieds!), Mamadou's Artisan Bakery, Swiss Bakers, (sandwiches, too) The Bread Shop ,The Popover Lady, and Roasted Granola, which also. offers local honey and locally made Greek yogurt.

Beverages: Aaronap Cellars, Tower Craft Beverages, and Pour Man’s Coffee, the latter with the cold brew coffee and refreshing fruit and tea beverages around. They also have unique treats to enjoy at the market as well as Fair Trade coffee beans from Dean’s Beans to take home.

Pet Treats: Emmett’s Edibles has wholesome treats for dogs AND even some for cats!

Artisans: All About Corks, Kittredge Candles, and Alison Simcox and Doug Heath with their books about local landmarks and parks,

Coming Up: Music from, to name a few, Betty’s Bounce and Amy Spillert, hopefully a visit from our banjo and fiddle trio, a return visit by the Katrina Marie Band Duo, and more to come. Curious Creatures will be here on September 2, the Pop Up Library will be here on August 26. Plus: hold September 9 for the Friends of Beebe Library Book Give-Away!

Want to help? Go to the How To Volunteer page on our website or stop by the Market Manager table to learn how. Many hands make a better market for all.

Our market accepts both SNAP/EBT and credit/debit cards for the purchase of Market Bucks for shopping, and match SNAP purchases up to $10 per visit so that everyone can afford to get fresh and healthy foods at our market. This is in addition to the new HIP program.

The Wakefield Farmers Market runs RAIN OR SHINE (except in dangerous weather, e.g. lightning or hurricane conditions). The market opens at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 1:00 p.m. every Saturday starting June 17 through October 14, 2017. Please visit wakefieldfarmersmarket.org for a current listing of vendors, live music, and special events and to sign up for our email newsletter. See wfmmarketkitchen.site for our recipes! You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr. See you at the Market!