We had a great turnout at the market last week, despite the rain. The chocolate covered strawberries helped, I’m sure. We owe a big thanks to Dave Richardson of Sweetwares for the chocolate and Rick Nitti and the staff and volunteers of Neighborhood House for preparing and handing out the berries.

The Hillsdale Community Foundation begins its book collection this Sunday, June 27th. The book sale will be held on July 25th in conjunction with the HBPA Pancake Breakfast. Details and contact information can be found at the end of the newsletter if you wish to donate or volunteer.

This Sunday is the 4th Sunday of the month which means the Master Gardeners will be at the market to answer your questions. Look for their booth at the north end of the market.

As a reminder, we are open July 4th 10am-2pm. We will also have our annual Red, White and Blue Berry Sundae event as well. For a while we were worried that we would have no berries but the sun finally came out.

See you Sunday,

Eamon Molloy
Market Manager

2010 America’s Favorite Farmers Markets™ Has Begun!


It’s back! American Farmland Trust’s America’s Favorite Farmers Markets™ contest for 2010 has kicked into gear and we need your votes to win!
The process is simple. To vote for our market, all you have to do is:
1.) Go to www.farmland.org/vote (link)
2.) Type in Hillsdale Farmers’ Market and,
3.) Click “Vote”
That’s it!

The purpose of this contest is to re-connect local consumers to local farms, with the ultimate goal of keeping our nation’s farm and ranch land productive and healthy! Buying at the farmers market keeps money in the local community and helps farms and ranches remain economically viable. By voting, you’re helping support farms and communities across the nation. As American Farmland Trust says, “No Farms No Food™!”
So don’t forget to vote for Hillsdale Farmers’ Market at www.farmland.org/vote (link) and spread the word!

What’s Coming To The Market This Week?


I was really happy to see cherries come into the markets last week. Farmers raising cherries have had a really tough year thus far, with the lack of sun slowing the harvest and rain damaging the fruit. Likewise, berry growers have had a tough spring but the June strawberries are plentiful right now. Raspberries are a little late but you’ll find plenty this weekend.

Lettuce, chard, kale, arugula, spinach and just about any other green vegetable you can name will be plentiful. It seems like it took forever but sugar snap peas, shelling peas and snow peas will be plentiful. Fava beans are finally coming in good quantities now too. Green beans, cabbage, and zucchini will be available as well.

Kookoolan Farms will be at the market this Sunday. They will have fresh “regular” chickens, fresh heirloom breed chickens, eggs and kombucha.

Check the availability list(link) for the complete list of who’s coming this weekend and what they expect to be selling. The list is posted Thursday afternoon and updated through the weekend. For Sunday morning updates, check Twitter feed either on our website sidebar or on our Twitter page.

IN
Bigfoot Bread
Blossom Vinegars
Kookoolan Farms
Vanveen Bulb

OUT
Ayers Creek Farm (back July 4)
Ancient Heritage Dairy (back next week)
Flamingo Ridge (soon)
Full of Life Farm (back July 11)

Cooking Ideas – Coleslaw


Cabbage has been scarce at the market for the last month or so, thanks to the lack of sunlight. I picked up a head last weekend which is now fermenting in a croc and on its way to becoming sauerkraut (recipe). With the warmer temperatures, I am in the mood for coleslaw. Here is a pretty simple recipe. Enjoy!

Coleslaw

Ingredients
1 lb. green cabbage, finely chopped or shredded
1 small onion, finely chopped or grated
1 carrot, grated
1 cup mayonnaise (or ½ cup mayonnaise and ½ cup buttermilk)
1 Tbsp. cider vinegar
2 garlic cloves, minced
~ salt

Steps
To make dressing: Combine mayonnaise, vinegar and garlic in a bowl. Add salt to taste.
To make slaw: Combine cabbage, carrots and onion in a bowl. Add dressing and mix together. Cover bowl and put in refrigerator for at least one hour. Taste and add salt if needed.

Printable version can be found here (link).

Neighborhood News & Events


Nourishing Neighbors Nourishing Neighbors is a group of volunteers who work together throughout the year to help Neighborhood House’s Emergency Food Box Program. We will be at the Farmers Market this weekend collecting food and/or donations as well as sharing information about this much needed program. There is always room at the table for more Nourishing Neighbors! Stop by to say hello and find out how you can help, or contact us at nourishingneighbors@gmail.com. Nourishing Neighbors will not be at the market July 4th.

Food Front Hillsdale holds its Market Day at Food Front every market Sunday. From 9am-12, there are free samples of Sunrise eggs from Stiebrs Farm and Beeler’s natural breakfast sausage. Local food artisans will be sampling in the store from 12-3. The outdoor grill will be fired up from 11-3 with Oregon Country Natural Beef hot dogs and hamburgers for sale.

Hillsdale Business & Professional Association 34th Annual Pancake Breakfast will be held on July 25, 2010 from 8:30am to 12:00pm. The breakfast will be held in the Key Bank/Casa Colima parking lot on SW Capitol Hwy. Proceeds benefit the Hillsdale Business and Professional Association.

Hillsdale Community Foundation Book Sale will be held in conjunction with the Pancake Breakfast. Running from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, proceeds benefiting the Hillsdale Community Foundation. Book donations can be made from June 27th through July 11th at the Foundation’s collection tent near the market. For information about the sale or to volunteer, contact Les Jevning, 503-244-7685 or e-mail tjevs (at) cnnw.net.