Sunshine, Root Beer and Spring Mix

I don't think Market Goers could have asked for better weather for this weeks Grower's Market. I arrived around 11, and it was a flurry of activity. I usually get to the Market around 9:30am, and that hour and a half certainly makes a difference. While there were plenty of people milling about, a few of my favorite stands were rapidly selling out of their produce!

My first stop was Bryer Apiary, as it was the only time I would see them for another 4 weeks (they have a stand at the WCGM the 3rd Saturday of each month). I hemmed and hawed over my choices, but eventually decided on a 24 ounce squeeze bottle of their dark variety. (Later that morning, I toasted a slice of Cinnamon Raisin Walnut Bread from Big Sky Bakery Co, and drizzled it with Bryer's dark honey. Can I say YUM?!?).

Speaking of Big Sky Bread, their stand was hopping, as usual. I refrained from buying more bread, as we are still working through the AH-MAZ-ING Honey Wheat and Cinnamon/Raisin/Walnut loaves from last week. (Confession: I've had at least once slice of the C/R/W bread per day since last week. Sometimes twice a day. And a few times for dessert). Their bread is so tasty, and I feel good that they are additive and preservative free. Perhaps we'll finish the loaves this week, and can go back for more next Saturday.

On our way around the circle, I stopped at Red Earth Farm for a bag of Spring Mix. So far, we have never been disappointed with the produce from Red Earth Farm! I appreciate being able to get whatever size bag of Spring Mix I'd like, and have the ability to pay per ounce/pound.

Moving along the parking lot, I stopped in to chat with Jeff Porter from the Chile Spot. More to come later this week on some of his products. I did sample some Peach Mango Habenero Jam, and it was spicily (is that a word?!?) delicious. This was the first time I noticed that the Chile Spot has T-Shirts for sale with their logo. Note to self: Pick up a T-shirt at some point this summer...

As we browsed, we got to take in the music from this week's Market Musicians: Richard Cole and his daughter. Their music was absolutely festive. I can only continue to go on and describe their sound as "FULL." So many different sounds and auditory textures to listen to. I was really impressed!

Paul Hauser personally greeted me at Maple Hill Farm's stand. I picked up a beautiful head of broccoli and already-shelled peas. Paul proudly boasts that he uses no chemical sprays on his produce. (Sidenote: Those fresh peas were made into fresh baby food this morning. Mixed with carrots, they had the most wonderful aroma! Hopefully Lucy will enjoy them...)

As we conversed, Paul put to words something I had noticed about the market: It WCGM hope that people can find stuff at their Grower's Market that they can't find in a regular grocery store. Well said. That comment made my eyes more open to see what new and interesting things I could try.

My last stop was Ellen April's Handmade Soaps. While I checked out what new items were in this week, my husband, Bill, ventured to purchase some homemade Root Beer from the vendors at Oak Shade Cheese. (After trying some on Sunday, my husband stated, "Now THIS is what Root Beer is SUPPOSED to taste like." You can't argue with that.)

I left Ellen April's with some soap entitled 'Snow On Cedar's.' First, I love the name. Second, I can say from first hand experience I LOVE the scent of this soap. We have it by our kitchen sink presently, so it is getting lots of use. Bill said it best: "If I had a mountain house, I would have this soap at every sink." It smells super fresh and foams up nicely. I also grabbed a small bottle of Lemon Rosemary olive oil and honey lotion. It's fragrant and really smooth.

So many vendors, so little time...but SO MUCH to look forward to! The Market Calendar is jam-packed with events. Check back later this week for the fun things happening this coming weekend (July 4th - Independence Day) at the WCGM. You won't want to miss it!

This Weekend - June 27 - At the WCGM!

Another weekend, another WCGM! I’m happy to report that we have somehow found favor again in the eyes of Glenn 'Hurricane' Schwartz, Cecily Tynan, John Bolaris, and Mother Nature, as they are forecasting sunny skies and beautiful temperatures for Saturday morning. This is a far cry from last weekend’s weather. With temps in the low 80's, and the sun bright in the sky, I would say we are in for "Perfect Grower's Market Weather."

Thank YOU, local news station weather forcasters.

With nothing to hold back Market Goers, the WCGM will be going strong from 9am – 1pm. June is almost behind us, so we can rest assured that Market will be yielding more and more fruit. Come check out the fresh produce, soaps, baked goods, cheeses and jarred preserves. This weekend we should have an appearance from Bryer Apiary’s honey as well!

Last week, I shared with you one of the many reasons I have a growing love for the West Chester Grower’s Market. This week I will share with you reason #2:

They care about the environment

The Earth we live on is at the heart of what these Market Vendors do. I’m hoping one of these days I can go and check out one of our Market farms. I would love to see what it takes to keep up with the produce they grow, the livestock they raise, and the ground they till. There is a direct relationship with the work our vendors labor for and the environment: our world is their inspiration, the precious soil beneath our feet is their canvas, and the Great Outdoors is their boardroom. The EARTH is their profession. I have a huge respect for that. I find comfort in the face that most (if not all) of the produce and products sold at the WCGM are natural, organic and/or environmentally friendly.

How can you not love that?!?

Even the events at the WCGM have the environment in mind: One highlight for this weekend is the Composting Demonstration, which will be presented at 10:00am by the Chester County Extention Service. Come learn about the benefits of composting and how to begin composting at home. Those who signed up and paid $20 last week will be able to take a composter home and put their newfound knowledge to use!

Weekend Market News:

1) Composting Demonstration – 10am

2) Next week (July 4) – Come celebrate July 4^th and get free snow cones! More info to come.

I hope to see you at the Market this weekend. Come out, and show not only your support for the community, but also for the world we live in.

Check in early next week for highlights from my Market visit, and for a preview of upcoming events!

Allow Myself to Introduce...Myself...

Hello! I thought it might be appropriate to quickly introduce myself, as you might be wondering who the "Steph A" is that has recently be posting on this blog.

So, as you might have gathered, my name is Steph, and I am a native West Chesterian, as is my husband, Bill. We were both born in Chester County Hospital and graduates from Henderson High School and West Chester University. We moved away briefly, but couldn't stand being away for more than a year. It is our intention to grow old and gray in West Chester, raising our children (at this point we have just one, Lucy) with the same passion for this town as we have.

I am currently taking on the new life of a stay-at-home mom, and all that entails. I also have a dangerous relationship with Ice Cream. My husband is an English teacher for the West Chester Area School District, and loves every minutes of it. His newest endeavor is commuting the 3 miles to work on a '79 Schwinn bicycle he purchased off of Craigslist. Lucy, our 11 month old, is still getting a grasp on what this world is all about. She has a big personality, and I believe she finds life humorous, because she laughs a LOT.

We love the community here, and feel that the West Chester Grower's Market embodies the sense of camaraderie and spirit that we ourselves love to foster. Having grown up here, it is meaningful to find a group that appreciates this area as much as we do. Buy Fresh, Buy Local has become an important cause for us, as we have begun to understand the value of our environment, local agriculture, local business and community. We are taking small steps to become more earth-friendly, and we know that every step makes a difference. So, while we still have a long way to go, we are heading in the right direction.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to chronicle my experiences at the WCGM, as I recently entered the blogging world a few months ago. I started my other blog as a place to unload and process about my new life as a stay-at-home mother/my love for cooking and baking/my journey to be more Green/other various and sundry things. I am looking forward to shifting my focus for THIS blog, and sharing about my weekly trips to the Market.

I hope that you can find good information about what is going on at the Market and upcoming events. Even more, I hope you can get a real glimpse into the world of a passionate Market Goer. Feel free to contact me or leave comments with your own thoughts, experiences or ways the WCGM has inspired your life!

Hope to see you this Saturday morning!

Vote for the West Chester Grower's Market!!!

If you are reading this, it is because you have come to love the West Chester Grower's Market. If you are anything like me, you wake up on Saturday mornings giddy and ready to head to the corners of Church and Chestnut Streets, excited to find new produce and products to take home. I love the laid-back atmosphere, often noted with music and familiar faces. Our vendors truly care about the earth, their community, and the produce and products they bring forth each week.

The first time I checked out the WCGM website, I was really impressed as I read about the history of how it started. Even more impressive is how the market has grown and flourished in it's 15 year lifespan. We can all look forward to many years more!

Let your passion for the West Chester Grower's Market show by voting for them in not 1 but 2 Farmer's Market contests!

The first contest is the American Farmland Trust's "America's Favorite Farmer's Market" Contest.

The second contest is the Care2/LocalHarvest Contest.

These contests not only show our support to the WCGM, but it can help them win some some great resources to make the Market even better. I don't know about you, but I think the WCGM is top notch, and more deserving than any other market out there!

So, with the community supporting them, let's see if the West Chester Grower's Market can win as America's Favorite Farmer's Market!

Vote NOW!

Rain, Rain, and a Pie Eating Contest

Most Saturdays, West Chester townsfolk look forward to eating a quick breakfast at Nick's Cafe, grabbing a coffee from Fennario, and heading down to the West Chester Grower's Market. But last Saturday, we woke up to a dreary sky full of rain, rain... and more rain. One could not help but think that people would be steering clear of the West Chester Grower's Market open market atmosphere in hopes of sparing their clothes and hair from being drenched.

Well, you obviously don’t know the West Chester Grower’s Market patrons.

Let me tell you: WCGM Market Goers are HARDCORE. I was so impressed when I arrived at the Market (the first time, seeing as I had to leave and then come back after being hindered by a freak downpour during my first arrival), fearing a lonely aisle of forlorn vendors, only to find the normal bustle of cloth grocery bags, dogs, kids, adults and friendly conversation.

I peered out of my car window through dense rain, with a baby in tow, and resolved to come back after said baby’s nap (as she would have never survived the weather at the time).

Our second arrival was much more successful. We showed up a good 2 and-a-half hours later than usual, and the Market was still going strong. Folksy lyrics, backed by stringed instruments, wafted through the air as Blue Horizons, this weeks Market musician, serenaded the crowd.

Lucy (my little Market Goer) and I checked out this week's wares, and decided to try some new goodies. Pan loaves at Big Sky Bread Company were half off, and they all looked tasty, but we settled on sampling a loaf of Honey Wheat and a loaf of Cinnamon Walnut. I was glad to hear that Big Sky bread has no additives or preservatives, and was reminded by the vendor to store the loaves in a cool place for best keeping (Big Sky kindly packages their loaves in freezer bags to help their customers enjoy their bread longer).

After Big Sky, we stopped at Elkdale Farm for some veggies. The tomatoes were red and plump, and we could not resist the temptation. So, we left with 2, which I am now certain will not be enough to last us the week.

Ellen April Handcrafted Soap was next on our list. This week I picked up a bar of Bliss and a sample of Lemon Thyme. I will let you know how they rate compared to the rest of the soaps we’ve sampled (Ocean Breeze, a light, refreshing soap, and Wake-up Call, which currently holds First Place in our household).

I did quick check-in’s at some of the other vendors: The Chile Spot (we’re still working through a jar of their Hot Sweet Red Pepper Jalapeno Jam) and Highland Farm. I eyed up some homemade root beer from Oakshade Cheese, but did not have time to purchase any. Perhaps next week.

Our last stop was Stargazer’s Vineyard, where I sampled the Dornfelder wine. This wine, I was told, "is a great red wine for white wine lovers.” Being partial to white wines, I’d have to agree. It has lower tannins and a lovely taste. I was sad to hear that this would be their last appearance at WCGM until September, as they are gearing up for an exciting summer at their vineyard. Some great events are lined up for July 4^th weekend, with the new release of a wine called Greuner Veltliner Arnesis. If you are looking for a good time over the Independence Day holiday, check out Stargazer’s website and head over for the festivities, including wine tastings, tours, great music and food. Check back at The Market toward the end of the summer for their comeback!

Sadly, because of our thwarted first arrival attempt, I missed the Pie Eating Contest altogether. [To anyone who was wondering, NO my husband did NOT participate, much to my dismay. He mumbled something about a pie allergy, and I shook my head disapprovingly. Should you bump into us at the Market in the future, you have my full permission to give him a hard time. For the record, he DID regret missing out after he saw the awesome commemorative t-shirts given to participants]. Although we missed the contest, I was glad to hear it was a successful event, with a handful of brave dads stepping up to the plate. I was informed that the Contest Winner was head and shoulders above the rest, with Jeff Porter from the Chile Spot as a close second. Market Goers believe the winner’s strategic usage of goggles gave him a hand in his victory.

It was a great Market weekend, despite the weather, and there is another great weekend coming up. Check back on Friday for a Market Preview for details!

Have a great week!

Movie Stars: WCGM Father's Day Pie Eating Contest!

For those of you, like me, who missed the amazing Father's Day Pie Eating Contest, you can catch a great glimpse of it via the video posted below. It makes me wish I could have been there! AUGH! Congrats to all the participants and Contest Winner!

This Weekend at the Market!

It’s Friday, and do you know what that means? Tomorrow is Market Day at the West Chester Grower’s Market! Yes, I am THAT excited about the Grower’s Market. Does that strike you as odd? It shouldn’t. Over the next few weeks, I will share with you why I’ve had a growing excitement (no pun intended) about Farmer’s/Grower’s Markets.

Today, I’ll share with you reason #1:

They celebrate community.

I love that. In fact, Grower’s Markets are the ESSENCE of community, built upon the foundation of local fellowship. Something that I’ve personally enjoyed about the West Chester Grower’s Market is the way they’ve incorporated fun events into their summer lineup.

This week is no exception. In honor of Father’s Day (which, for those who are behind on the times, is THIS Sunday, people), the WCGM is hosting a Father’s Day PIE EATING CONTEST!

AUGH! SO FUN!

(I’m still in the process of convincing my happy-to-not-be-in-the-spotlight hubby to compete. We’ll see how that turns out Saturday morning.)

The only requirement to be in the contest? Fatherhood! The contest begins promptly at 10:00am RAIN or SHINE (with another round at 11:00am if there are enough participants). And, let’s be honest, friends: What is a contest without PRIZES? There will be a $25 Market Bucks prize for the winner, and commemorative tee-shirts for all those who are brave enough to participate. No need to sign up: Just come ready to EAT PIE!

For those who are inspired by the contest, or just by pies in general, here is a great recipe for Blueberry Pie. There is nothing better on a summer evening than a slice of Blueberry pie topped with Vanilla Ice cream. Except for maybe Peach Pie, of course.

~~

Steph’s Grower’s Market Blueberry Pie

• 2 pie unbaked crusts (homemade or store-bought)
• 5 cups fresh blueberries
• 2/3-3/4 cup sugar
• 3 TBL all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

1) Preheat oven to 375º

2) Roll out 1 pie crust, and line the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate.

3) In a large bowl, combine sugar and flour. Stir in berries and cinnamon. Toss gently to coat.

4) Transfer berry mixture into lined pie plate. Cover with second pie crust, cutting slits in the surface. Seal and brush surface with milk and sprinkle with sugar.

5) Cover edges with foil. Bake at 375º for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25-30 minutes or until filling is bubbly and pastry is golden. Cool on a wire rack.

~~

So, in a few weeks, once the blueberries are ripe for the pickin’ and sitting pretty at the Grower’s Market, be sure to snag some for your own homemade pie!

Until then, get all the Dad’s in your life to come out and compete for the title of West Chester Grower’s Market Pie Eating Contest CHAMPION!

Weekend Market News:

1) Father's Day Pie Eating Contest at 10am (and possibly 11am)

2) This Saturday is also the WCGM’s 2^nd Food Drive of the summer (look for this every 3^rd Saturday). Vendors and customers can donate money or food, which will go to The Salvation Army.

3) NEXT Saturday there will be a Free Composting Demonstration by the Chester County Extention Serivce. Customers who are interested in purchasing a composting bin from the extension service must sign up THIS week to order one. They are $20.00. Sign up sheet will be at the community table at the market or ask any vendor

That is all for now! Check in next week, and we’ll see YOU at the Market tomorrow!

Domenick-Paul Rowe, Sera Dolça Culinary Services

We are saddened to announce the death of Domenick Rowe who passed away suddenly on June 8, 2009. We know you will join us in offering his family and friends our sincerest condolences during this sad time. His love and passion for fresh, local and natural gourmet cooking made his booth a popular stop at the market. We will all miss Domenick as a fellow vendor and a friend. 

Contributions in his memory may be made to: 

World Society for the Protection of Animals www.wspa-usa.org

What you might not have expected from a morning at the market...

Many local residents expect to get some grocery shopping done at the West Chester Growers Market, or find beautiful plants for their gardens. And they know that they'll get to meet the people who grow the food they buy and have a more meaningful, greener consumer experience. But you might not expect some of the other opportunities at the market!

Did you know you can have lunch and take in some music while at the market? A different performer is at the market nearly every week, and a recent performance (seen above) was courtesy of John Scardina and his folk band.

You can certainly make a snack by going around and sampling different unique foods at the market like fresh cheeses and breads. And of course you can make up a yummy lunch for yourself with whatever you buy when you get home. But what if you don't feel like cooking on a lazy Saturday afternoon?

Earth 2 You has tasty gourmet treats made with fresh, local, natural ingredients every week. Their spreads and dips are a popular item to take home, but try having a spinach and mozzarella sandwich or a Portobello ALT - avocado, Boston bibb and alfalfa of course!

And finally, you can always expect something new and different at the market at the charity booth. Different nonprofit organizations set up at the market each week. Recently the HomeAID for Africa group displayed hand died silk items, handbeaded jewelry and adorable totes for carting home your market wares. Find out more at www.homeaidforafrica.org.