August 19 Market Day: Knife Sharpener is Here Today! Live Music by Betty's Bounce, Hiller's Silver Studio, Cooking Demo

We’ll have live music by Betty’s Bounce, Jaju Piergo will be here, and of course our farmers will have plenty of freshly picked produce including the first apples and melons, too at the marke this week! 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.

TAKE NOTE, it's time to VOTE! It is time to keep our market on the map via the American Farmland Trust Annual Farmers Market Celebration! Go to: markets.farmland.org and type in 01880, or use the handy link on our wakefieldfarmersmarket.org website to “recommend” our Wakefield Farmers Market. Last year our farmers market came in 1st in Massachusetts and #22 nationally in the “People’s Choice” and “Pillar of the Community” categories. The contest runs until September 22, at which time American Farmland Trust will present awards to the most endorsed markets in four special areas, as well as the “People’s Choice” award at the end of the Celebration.

Betty’s Bounce will be back at the market on August 19 for the second of two visits this season, providing live music starting around 10:00 a.m. Featuring local guitarists Audie and Zach Bridges and at joined by Curtis Doo on the double bass, the band will play their special take on Django, Swing, and Gypsy jazz. They may also share an Italian song or two in honor of the Italian Festival taking place in downtown Wakefield this Saturday from 2-8:00 p.m. The Wakefield Farmers Market Music Program is sponsored by The Savings Bank.

Cooking demos are back! Suman Shah of Fork on a Road (forkonaroad.com) will be back in the Market Kitchen Tent to create a quick, easy, and tasty recipe or two featuring produce available at the market that morning. You will 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.
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.

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 -Emmett’s Special this week will be – If your dog has not yet tried Emmett’s Peanut Butter Dreams stop by and pick some up $6.99 each or 3 for 18.00. They are Dreamy!

And, don’t forget, SNAP folks: you can get your HIP benefits 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 – along with apples coming in, MELONS are now at our market, along with all the berries and greens, stone fruits, corn, all kinds of tomatoes, summer squashes and lots more. Flat’s Mentor Farm has its signature pea tendrils and amazing herbs, as well as more traditional local veggies. Hoping for loofa squash!

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: Coutts Specialty Foods is here this week, as is Deano's Pasta, Habibi Gourmet with Middle Eastern foods, and Jaju Piergo, with Polish dumplings from their grandfather’s recipes. 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 totally amazing mustards, see Jane at the West River Creamery tent.

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

Beverages: Pony Shack Cider (you need to try their ciders – fantastic! - 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: Hiller’s Silver Studio with beautiful jewelry, Sarah’s Originals with handmade aprons, potholders, and even children’s books, along with Alison Simcox and Doug Heath with their books about local landmarks and parks.

Coming Up: Music from, to name a few, Amy Spillert, Eddie Dee, 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!

A note from Co-Market Manager Wendy Dennis: As some of you know, I was injured in a fluke accident on 8/3 that resulted in a broken wrist (surgery took place on 8/14) and a fracture on the tip of my tibia. Then end result is that I will be pretty much housebound for several weeks since I can’t put pressure on my leg but also cannot use crutches due to my wrist; I will not be able to do much walking or any lifting until beyond this year’s market season. The good news is that I can type and perform other computer-related tasks using just one hand so can continue doing the PR and behind the scenes management. Also, Co-Market Manager Heather Tribe is doing a top-notch job as solo on-site manager on Saturdays. However, if you have ever considered volunteering at the market on one or more Saturdays, this would be a great time to try it out! Along with shifts staffing the table at the manager tent, those who are able to do some lifting are needed for setup and breakdown. It looks like we are in good shape for this week, but every hand makes less work for all, so either sign up or just show up at 8:00 a.m. or stay a bit after 1:00 to lend a hand. Thank you!

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!