August 20 Market Day: Betty's Bounce, Tower Beverages, Corn & Mint Cooking Demo, So Much Produce, New Jewelry Vendor, & More!

The weather looks to be perfect for our market AND the Italian Festival later in the day! Come hear Betty’s Bounce, check out Henna Art, and visit the good folks from the Col. James Hartshorne House Association, who will have newly released prints and notecards on hand. And of course, buy lots of veggies, specialty foods, and more. 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. from June 18 through October 15, 2016.

Betty’s Bounce will at the market for their second visit of the season, providing live music starting around 10:00 a.m. Featuring local guitarists Audie and Zach Bridges and joined by Curtis Doo on the double bass, the band will play their special take on Django, Swing, and Gypsy jazz. I suspect we will hear them running through a few Italian songs in preparation for playing later in the day.

We are pleased to have our neighbors, the Col. James Hartshorne House Association, as our nonprofit guest this week. The group recently released authorized prints and notecards of a specially commissioned watercolor painting of the Hartshorne House, painted by local artist Tom Maguire. The painting was revealed at last week's Ice Cream Social and many of the guests took that opportunity to purchase prints and notecards. Be sure to stop by their tent to view the original painting and to purchase a print or notecards to help support the stewardship of the oldest home in Wakefield as well as their educational programs.

Henna Tattoo Artist Shweta Singhvi of Wakefield will be joining us for the last time this season. Shweta practices the traditional art form that uses all natural ingredients to create everything from designs of timeless beauty to cool modern super hero icons for the kids. Look for her along the path across the walk from the “hoop and sidewalk chalk” bench.

WHAT’S COOKING? Last week we used watermelon from Farmer Dave’s and tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and basil from Kelly’s Farm to make a very refreshing and delicious Tomato, Watermelon, and Cucumber Salad. You will find copies of the recipe, as well as other recipes, on the website, as well as at the Market Kitchen tent next to the Market Manager tent. Stop by between 10-11 or so to find out what the cooking demo will be about this week. Chances are it will feature corn in some way. As always, all the main ingredients will be sourced that morning from our farmers and specialty food vendors. And remember: If you see something at one of our farmers’ tents that you want to try, let us know and we will get it, wash it off, and chop or slice it up for you to try!

Yarrow or Blake will be with us this week bringing their super balloon twisting skills, we will have the Kid’s Activity tent set up and stocked with plenty of paper and crayons. There will be hula hoops, sidewalk chalk, and jump ropes on hand for kids of all ages, and we now have an extra tent and chairs set up so folks can take a break from shopping in a bit of shade.

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. Right now we are still holding at #1 in Massachusetts but slipping to #20 or #21, depending on the category, in the USA. The contest runs until September 21, 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.

Now, here’s what you’ve been waiting for – this week’s vendors!

NEWSFLASH: The Fish Lady will NOT be here this Saturday 8/20 but will be back for the rest of the season on 8/27. In the meantime, you can reach Michelle via 781-929-5358 or mkraft1974@aol.com.

Produce: Flats Mentor Farm will be back this week with their Asian Greens, herbs, and select root vegetables, and Farmer Dave’s and Kelly’s Farm will have plenty of corn, tomatoes, peppers, squash, onions, garlic, cukes, melons, and so much more as we experience the height of the summer growing season. Note: The January thaw that encouraged early blossoming and then the severe cold in February decimated most of New England’s stone fruit crops. Very sad. But on the other side, the current drought actually makes for sweeter melons, so there is a bit of a silver lining.

Pasture-raised Meats, Poultry, and Eggs: As always, Lilac Hedge Farm has spectacular steaks, chops, ribs, sausages, ground beef and pork, cuts of lamb, as well as poultry and eggs. Did you know that research indicates that pasture-raised meat, dairy, poultry, and eggs have more heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid, more conjugated linoleic acid, and more antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin E? And, it is not so expensive if you stick to the “deck of cards” portion size.

Cheese: Along with their hard, soft, and marinated cheeses, West River Creamery MAY have their fresh mozzarella this week. Jane will have her gorgeous pickled veggies, too. Be sure to STOCK UP this week! Jane and Sandy of Vermont Gourmet Candy Dish need to take the next two weeks off. They will be back on September 10.

Specialty Foods: Coutt’s Specialty Foods will be here with their lovely traditional preserves, Deano's, Pasta will have their pasta and tasty sauces, and you can’t go wrong creating a meal from the selection of Middle Eastern foods at Samira’s Homemade. And don’t forget to stock up at Vermont Gourmet Candy Dish this week!

Baked Goods: You will find super cookie from Goodies Homemade, lovely artisan breads from Mamadou's Artisan Bakery, loaves, sweet treats, and sandwiches from Swiss Bakers, and the best popovers ever from The Popover Lady, who also has pies and scones. Roasted Granola has amazing granola as well as locally made Greek yogurt and local honey. Picnic breakfast, anyone?

Beverages: Downeast Cider House will be here this week. I hope they will still have their summer ginger-lemon hard cider. It is really good. Tower Beverages will be here with their craft sodas, and Pour Man’s Coffee will have their signature fruit, tea, and coffee beverages and uniquely delicious baked goods. You can also purchase Fair Trade coffee that Dean’s Beans blends especially for them.

Pet Treats: Emmett’s Edibles has the best treats for dogs - and for cats, too.

Artisans: For artisans, we will have Kaleidoscope Soap and Sheepshed, (hand-dyed and spun yarns, adorable baby hats and more, and sheep motif pottery) and we are hoping Wicked Good Soap and perhaps another artisan will join us this week. Check the website for updates.

COMING UP: For music, August 27: Kev G Mor, September 3: Amy Spillert, September 1: Kev G Mor, September 17: Kali Stoddard-Imarin, September 24: Banjo extra-ordinaires Ed Britt and Don Borchelt. Also, the Friends of Beebe Library Book Give-Away will take place on September 10, Drumlin Farm’s Audubon Ark will make their annual appearance on September 24. And there is still more in the planning!

The market will continue to accept both SNAP/EBT and credit/debit cards, and will again be matching SNAP purchases up to $10 per visit so that everyone can afford to get fresh and healthy foods at our market.

The Wakefield Farmers Market runs RAIN OR SHINE (except in dangerous weather, e.g. lightening or hurricane conditions). The market opens at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 1:00 p.m. every Saturday starting June 18 through October 15, 2016. Please visit www.wakefieldfarmersmarket.org for a current listing of vendors and upcoming events and to sign up for our email newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter. See you at the Market!

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