Weekly Newsletter: Issue 12

2007: ISSUE 12

Greetings Covent Garden Outdoor Farmers’ Market Customers!

The Farmers’ Market is now running full throttle with more vendors and product coming in with each passing week. Wednesday’s London Free Press (City & Region section) included coverage of the Buy Local Movement (and accordingly, coverage of our Farmers’ Market), with comments from both Dorothy Green of Mill Stream Farms and the Covent Garden Market’s general manager Bob Usher. The article can be found posted at our new info website: coventgardenfarmersmarket.blogspot.com. This site contains both archives of our weekly newsletters and pertinent news and information regarding local producers.

The Fringe Festival begins this week on Market Square. Kobbler Jay the Eccentric Juggler and Pic-nic-Nac will provide entertainment beginning at 11:30 AM on Saturday.

It will be a Blueberry Bonanza at this Saturday’s Farmers’ Market! Every customer will receive a ticket for a free blueberry treat from the Covent Garden Farmers’ Market Info Booth. Here you can also fill out a ticket for our Gift Basket Draw and pick up a copy of our brand new Buy Local map. Following the lead of several surrounding regions, a map has been created that will make buying local as easy as possible. Whether you are looking for fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs or maple syrup, this map will show you where products can be located in the area. Keep in mind that everything at our Farmers’ Market must be produced by the seller. We are the only London market where you can always guarantee you are supporting local producers and receiving local products.

Irene Puddester will be back this Saturday with her delicious (and very fast-selling) no-spray blueberries from nearby Rodney, Ontario. Dolway Organic Garden is here both Thursdays and Saturdays with an abundance of great produce. Zucchini, rhubarb, raspberries, spring mix and a variety of onions are just a few of the items you will find at their table. You can restock on venison now that long-time vendor Heinz of Ferio Farm Venison is back from the West. Ferio Farm animals are raised naturally without growth hormones, antibiotics and dyes. Dee at Made from Scratch is busy baking chocolate zucchini muffins, apple squares, and much, much more for Saturday’s Farmers’ Market. Remember to get here early! I learned my lesson last week when I did my shopping at the end of the Market only to find Dee almost sold out.

Blanbrook Bison Farm will likely take a one-week hiatus for the Civic Holiday weekend, so you will want to stock up on bison products this Saturday. Judy’s One of a Kind Unique Jewellery has been selling fast. The best thing about her jewellery is that no two pieces are exactly alike! You might have seen Bourne’s bath and body products featured on the A-Channel this week. You can pick some up at the Thursday or Saturday Market. Mark Wales has rejoined us at the Farmers’ Market and will bring out fresh blueberries, raspberries, garlic, onions, corn, and green and yellow beans this Saturday. Lorraine from Lynch Farms will soon be taking a brief vacation so this is your last chance for a few weeks to pick up her local maple syrup and maple syrup products. She plans to have some sugar-free jam made for Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. Guille have plenty of wonderfully handcrafted products. I’ve been lighting one of their Georgia Peach candles all week. International Bakery has become a staple of the Farmers’ Market and is always here on Thursdays and Saturdays with fresh-baked, whole-grain breads.

Janine from En Fleur Lavender hopes to have some lavender pillow liners prepared for this week’s Market. She is here on Thursdays and Saturdays and offers some delicious samples that allow our customers to see the many uses of her fresh lavender. Lavender can even be used on the barbecue! Mill Stream Farm will “be here with bells on” this Saturday. Tomatoes, herbs, squash, French Fingerlings and onions are among the fresh produce they will have to offer. Fair Haven Mission Farms will be here Saturday and encourages you to check out their grapevine wreaths. Bloomer’s joins us outside at the Farmers’ Market with colourful fresh-cut flowers at a great price. As always, arrive early to ensure best selection.

Recipe Of The Week - Blueberry Pizza

Filling: 8 oz. cream cheese, 1/2 C sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tsp. vanilla
Topping:1 C sugar, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 C water, 4 C blueberries, 3 tbsp. cornstarch, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1 tbsp. butter

Bake pie crust at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 min. Blend cheese, eggs, sugar and vanilla with a mixer and pour over crust; return to oven for 10 min. Cool. To prepare topping, mix 2 C of blueberries with 1/4 C of sugar and set aside. In a saucepan mix remaining sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt and water. Add remaining 2 C blueberries, then butter. Bring to boil and simmer until thickened. Add the sugared blueberries, cool. Pour onto the pie shell. Yields 1 13" pizza. Chill and serve in wedges with whipped cream.

A Little Lesson On Organic - What Does It All Mean?

(from the July/August edition of Nutrition Action)

Organic fruits and vegetables - were grown without synthetic pesticides, synthetics fertilizers, or sewage sludge, and haven’t been genetically engineered or irradiated.
Organic beef and chicken - come from animals that were raised on organic feed and were never given hormones, antibiotics, or other drugs. The meat was never irradiated.
Organic milk - comes from animals that were raised on organic feed and were never given hormones. No milk can be sold if it has antibiotic residues.
Organic eggs - come from hens that were raised on organic feed and were never given hormones or antibiotics.
Organic seafood - hasn’t been defined by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Free range - has no official definition, but producers have to explain on their packages what the claim means. A free-range animal isn’t necessarily organic.
Raised without the use of hormones - means something for beef and dairy products which come from animals that can be given hormones. It’s irrelevant on pork, poultry, and eggs because farmers aren’t allowed to give hormones to pigs, poultry or hens.
Hormone-free - is an illegal claim, since all animals produce their own hormones.

The Farmers’ Market is open from 8am-1pm on Thursdays and Saturdays. We hope to see you there!

“Buy local, or bye local.”

As Published In Today's London Free Press

Push on to support local produce Wed, July 25, 2007 By KATE DUBINSKI, SUN MEDIA

Fresh local produce is healthier, good for the environment and supports the region's economy.

But cheap fruit and vegetable imports from Mexico, Chile and China have skyrocketed in recent years, making their way to local grocery shelves.

All that's left many consumers miffed, local growers angry and one area in this region fighting back.

"We have to think, 'How do we protect our livelihoods?' " said Norfolk County Mayor Dennis Travale, who has rolled out a campaign to get consumers to buy locally.

Clobbered by its shrinking tobacco industry, farmers in Norfolk County have been diversifying and trying to shift to other crops to stay afloat.

"We have to educate the consumer the couple of pennies more they're paying for local food is worth it and the food is . . . much safer," Travale said.

"We have to shift people to buying local."

Consider the facts:

- Worldwide exports of agriculture products to Canada were up by 10 per cent last year, compared to 2004.

- The imports totalled $22.4 billion, including $13 billion from the United States, $878 million from Mexico, $639 million from Brazil and $400 million from Chile.

- China's largest food export to Canada is apple juice, up 69 per cent from 2003 -- worth $28 million last year.

- Imports of raspberries to Canada have increased by 102 per cent since 2004, mainly from Mexico and Chile.

- Imports of cucumbers, cherries, asparagus and strawberries have also jumped.

At the Covent Garden Market in London, consumers are already hooked on buying seasonal local produce -- and they're worried about what could be in the imported food.

"I like stopping at the various vendors, and I like the contact with people who produce it," said Rena Armstrong, who was buying vegetables last Saturday at Mill Stream Farms' organic food stand.

"There's so much good produce available, I don't see why you would buy stuff from overseas," she said.

Armstrong tries to only buy food in season, she said.

That's the kind of customer Dorothy Green, who operates Mill Stream Farms, looks for.

"Often, the small producer takes more care because we handle the food from the beginning," she said.

"Our hands are on it from seedling to market."

Market vendors have heard loud and clear from customers they want local produce, said Bob Usher, manager of the Covent Garden Market.

Though not all market food is local, it boasts a farm market outdoors every Thursday and Saturday that is all local and can have as many as 30 vendors, he said.

"This is a trend we are seeing and it is growing," Usher said of the demand for locally grown foods.

Buying at supermarkets can be cheaper. But Susan Ladner shops at the market because she doesn't trust the pesticides and herbicides sprayed on food from far away.

"You see the farmer, know who's growing it," she said, as her daughter, three-year-old Neroli, munched on fresh strawberries.

"They fumigate the food that comes from far away, so there's no bugs, and then people eat it. The raspberries they import are sprayed with chemicals to make them ripen faster," Ladner said.

"It's scary, because then people think they're just eating produce, but they're eating so much more."

Almost anything except for bananas and oranges, Travale said, can grow in Norfolk soil.

Area farmers are trying not to get squeezed out of the produce market replacing tobacco.

"The shift from tobacco is happening, but the threat of subsidies through the World Trade Organization has to be addressed by the politicians," Travale said.

Cherryhill Seniors Support the Farmers' Market

The following is an article written by Robin Kish (the Coordinator of Client Services with VON London Community Support Services in Cherryhill) that was published in the most recent edition of Cherryhill Magazine and the VON Donor Newsletter:

Lunch at the Farmers' Market

Lunch at the Farmers' Market is a new partnership program between VON Community Support Services, Cherryhill and the Downtown Farmers' Market. The trip offers Cherryhill residents transportation, a special treat, the opportunity to purchase lunch at a vendor of choice and discounts for the very reasonable cost of $2.00 per person.

On Saturday June 30^th we had the opportunity to kick off this new program. With 32 people aboard a chartered, wheelchair accessible City of London Transit bus, we were whisked away to the Farmers' Market downtown.

Upon disembarking the bus we were offered fresh strawberry tarts, compliments of the Farmers' Market vendors. Jason Mercer, the 2006 winner of London’s Top Singer-Songwriter at the London Music Awards entertained the crowd throughout the full two hours of our visit.

After shopping, participants enjoyed lunch at a Market restaurant vendor of their choice. After lunch, there was time to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful weather while being entertained by Jason. At one o’clock, we ventured back to the bus and returned to Cherryhill. There were many positive comments on the bus ride back to Cherryhill. I hope that many participants will return in the future. This program will be running once a month until the Farmers' Market closes Thanksgiving weekend.

Please contact the VON office for details or to register 675-1355.

Weekly Newsletter: Issue 11

2007: ISSUE 11

Greetings Covent Garden Outdoor Farmers’ Market Customers!

The weather forecast is calling for sun and there is no better place to start off your Saturday than here at the Farmers’ Market! You will want to get here early because (after much anticipation) Irene Puddester will join us with her renowned organic blueberries. The blueberry season is a relatively short one so you will want to stock up (blueberries freeze very well) while you have the chance.

Mark Wales has confirmed he will be here tomorrow with loads of great, fresh produce. Mill Stream Farm will be on the Square with plenty of good, ol’ organic food including squash, onions, garlic, beans, and French Fingerlings. Dolway Organic Garden will bring in zucchini, potatoes, beans, garlic, green onions, globe onions, herbs, rhubarb, raspberries, beans and more! En Fleur Lavender has been a wonderful addition to the Farmers’ Market. Janine from En Fleur will have an abundance of her fresh lavender along with lots of ideas regarding how to best make use of it.

Blanbrook Bison Farm has a wide selection of tasty bison cuts. Tenderloin, rib eye, New York and sirloin steaks are all perfect for the barbecue season. Dee at Made From Scratch will bake up large pies if you pre-order. She will bring delicious molasses spice cookies, rhubarb-raspberry muffins, blueberry squares and blueberry peach pies to tomorrow’s Farmers’ Market.

Bourne has some outstanding bath and body products to check out - all handmade right here in London. Judy from One Of A King Unique Jewellery uses real Swavorksi crystals to create her standout line. From anklets to necklaces to key chains, she has it all!

International Bakery will bring their fresh-baked, whole-grain breads to the Farmers’ Market while Bloomer’s will add some colour to the scene with their gorgeous fresh-cut flowers. Fair Haven Mission Farms will be here with trout, handcrafted cards, baked goods and jams. Their raspberry jam is highly recommended. Also stop by the Fair Haven table to check out their pet rabbits which they sell off their farm in Arkona.

After working for five years on a blueberry farm, I have seen blueberries used in just about everything (including blueberry soup). The Three Berry Salsa was always a favourite. This recipe makes use of raspberries, blueberries and strawberries - all of which are currently available locally (strawberries may be a bit tough to find at this point, there are still some out there).

Recipe of the Week - Three Berry Salsa

1 fresh jalapeno pepper
1/2 red onion, minced
2 scallions or gr. onions
1 med. tomato, finely diced
1 small yellow bell pepper
1/4 C chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. vinegar
2 tsp. lime juice
2 tsp. orange juice
1 tsp. honey
1 tbsp. olive oil
3/4 C hulled strawberries
3/4 C raspberries
1 1/2 C blueberries

Wearing rubber gloves, finely mince the jalapeno pepper (use or discard the seeds and membrane to control the heat of the flavour). Stir together with red onion, scallions, tomato and bell pepper (seeded and minced), and coriander. In separate bowl whisk together the salt, vinegar, juices, honey and oil. Pour over the pepper mixture and stir well. Coarsely chop the strawberries. Add all the berries to the pepper mixture and stir to blend. Let stand at room temperature for 3 hours. Serve salsa at room temperature with grilled fish or poultry. Yields 3 C. of salsa.

Jason Mercer will join us for his last week entertaining the Farmers’ Market on the corner of King and Talbot. In the next two weeks we share Market Square with The London Fringe Festival which will feature Kobbler Jay the Eccentric Juggler and World Hacky Sack Champion Jordan Moir.

There is no better time than the summer to make a serious effort to start buying local. We will have a copy of The 100-Mile Diet: Local Eating For Global Change (by Alisa Smith & J.B. MacKinnon) at the Farmers’ Market Info Booth tomorrow so our customers can see what the Buy Local Movement is all about. Blueberries are now in season, yet some local stores continue to sell berries shipped in from the States. It is worth the difference in both taste and carbon footprint to ensure you are supporting local farmers (and of course, the best way to know where exactly where your food comes from is to buy direct from the farmer here at the Farmers’ Market).

Several communities including Hamilton and Chatham-Kent have admirably followed Foodlink Waterloo’s lead and produced maps outlining where people can buy direct from the farmer. We are in the process of creating our own map for London and area. The map is nearing completion and should be ready for next week’s Farmers’ Market. Come to the Farmers’ Market Info Booth to pick up a copy, and while you’re there fill out a ticket for this week’s Farmers’ Market Gift Basket.

The Covent Garden Outdoor Farmers’ Market runs 8am-1pm on Thursday and Saturdays.

Thank you for supporting local farmers and producers at the Covent Garden Outdoor Farmers' Market!

Buy local, or bye local.

Greetings!

This website will act as a space for us to post our weekly newsletter and provide readers with pertinent news and information regarding buying locally and supporting our area farmers.

"Eating locally isn't just a fad like the various diets advertised on late-night TV - it may be one of the most important ways we save ourselves and the planet. Previous generations lived in harmony with the Earth's natural systems, eating only what they could grow each season. But technology has changed all that. We take it for granted that the world's food is available to us year-round. And it's killing us. Food transportation generates air pollution and greenhouse gases that cause climate change. Imported food also increases our exposure to chemical pesticides."

- David Suzuki, Chair of the David Suzuki Foundation

We hope to see you at the Farmers' Market (Thursdays and Saturdays, 8am-1pm, at 130 King Street in London, Ontario)!