North Union Farmers Market

Know Your Farmer: Goodell Family Farm

2011-05-03T08:47:00.000-07:00

Second in our "Know Your Farmer" series is an entry from Goodell Family Farm of Mantua. Goodell Family Farm has particpated in our Shaker Square Market for many years! They specialize in maple syrup and maple products.

"Goodell Family Farm is a seventh generation family farm dating back to 1825 when Jonas Goodell purchased the original farm site. Presently, three generations are involved in the farm business. Virginia, two of her sons and their wives Jay/Barb and Bruce/Sherry and Jay’s son and his wife Nathan/Rebecca are active on the farm. There has been many changes over the years, but one continuous venture for the Goodell family has been maple syrup. With great tradition, we take great pride in our maple syrup.

The 2011 season has concluded and it was a very successful year. Compared to last year’s poor season we doubled our maple production. The season started earlier than usual on February 15 and ended late on April 5, creating a long span of favorable maple syrup weather. Light amber maple syrup was the dominant grade produced this year, but plenty of medium amber and grade B were also made.

In an effort to continuously improve upon our maple operation, we introduced disposable spiles into our maple tubing system. By using a new spile each year, the tap hole will remain cleaner and therefore more productive throughout the season. In addition, the new spiles are 1/4 inch compared to the previous 5/16 inch spiles, which means a smaller hole for the tree to heal.

If March isn’t busy enough, we also hold our own pancake breakfast for three Sundays in March. The buckwheat or plain pancakes are served with sausage and, of course, our own Goodell Maple Syrup. Local residents, as well as, distant visitors have enjoyed these Sunday breakfasts for nearly 30 years.

Currently we are working on an exciting tree planting project. We have enrolled an old hay field that is surrounded by our woods into the NRCS’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The nearly 10 acres is being planted with 5 different species of trees: Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Red Oak, Black Cherry and Tulip Poplar. Half the trees will be Sugar Maple with the other half divided between the remaining species. It will take close to 20 years before the maples will be large enough to tap. Also included in the project will be a pollinator strip for bees and butterflies.

Amongst all the madness that fills the maple season was a wonderful addition to the Goodell family. Evan Jaymes Goodell was born on March 30 to Nathan and Rebecca Goodell and big brother, Ryan. The next farming generation is expanding and learning about the traditions and joys of growing up on an active farm. Now that the maple season has finished we are turning our attention to the other farm responsibilities, the dairy cows, grazing and hay season, and farm markets."

Know your Farmer: Bluebird Meadows

2011-01-27T09:00:00.000-08:00

New! North Union will begin featuring stories and words directly from our farms! This entry is from Bluebird Meadows, a family run farm that practices sustainable agriculture while providing its customers the best pastured pork, beef and poultry. Add in fresh berries and jams and they are busy on the farm Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter!

"Bluebird Meadows is a family run farm located in Northeast Ohio. Here on the farm we pride ourselves in providing top quality, pasture raised beef, pork, poultry, and eggs to our family, friends, and customers.

It is our mission to raise and sell the highest quality products all while practicing sustainable agriculture. We are committed to taking care of the earth and the gifts we have been given. We use simple, old-fashioned farming techniques that give back to the Earth what has been taken.

We use natural fertilizers on our berries and vegetables, provide ample room for our chickens to roam, and have planted a lush red clover and alfalfa pasture for the cows and pigs. On our farm water is used from our pond and we will soon be adding rain barrels to collect rain water, reducing our use of 'city water'. We compost any unneeded organic material, use the manure for fertilizer, and provide all of the animals with humane living conditions.

Every season has its challenges and keeps us busy here at Bluebird Meadows. The spring is busy with replanting pastures and mending fences and buildings that have been damaged by a long winter. Summer is very busy with the many farmers markets we attend. Fall is busy with back-to-school activities, the fair, and canning and preserving produce from our garden and from other vendors at the market, with whom we barter. The winter months on most farms is a little quieter, but so far for us this winter has been eventful. We are blessed with 4 of the most amazing kids ever. They are hard workers both in the classroom and here on the farm. During the winter ALL 4 like to fill their free time with basketball. So on our farm, the winter months are filled with 4 crazy basketball schedules. Add in Chris coaching, and there is not too much time for other things. This presents a slight problem for us here on the farm; who is going to do the chores? During the spring, summer and fall no one ever complains about watering the pigs and cows, feeding the chickens or collecting the eggs. During the winter, where we now have to carry water out to the barn from our house one 5 gallon bucket at a time, where we now have to don on boots, snow pants, gloves and hats and hike through snow drifts to collect the eggs, and now where hay and cracked corn is hauled by the pulling of a sled; no one seems to want to do chores. Luckily for the farm, we have a rule in place that no one can go to basketball until all of the chores are done. And since NO ONE wants to miss their court time, (including Chris) the chores are always done.

We love every season here at Bluebird Meadows, all of the joys and challenges."

--Julie Blankenship, Bluebird Meadows

You can find Bluebird Meadows at our Indoor Winter Market this season and at our Crocker Park, Chagrin Falls, and Cleveland Clinic markets beginning this spring!

SNAP/EBT at the Markets

2010-06-22T12:43:00.000-07:00

Beginning in July, North Union Farmers Market will begin accepting SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Cards at its Lakewood, Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland State University locations. SNAP recipients may bring their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to the farmers market and obtain tokens which may be used to purchase fresh, local vegetables, fruits, dairy products, meat products, honey, preserves, baked goods, plants used to produce food at home and much more. SNAP recipients should first visit the “Market Information” tent to receive tokens before purchasing items.

North Union Farmers Market operates certified, producer-only markets. SNAP recipients who purchase local food from the market will receive fresh, nutrient-dense produce and all natural farm products.

Market vendors will also continue to accept WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Coupons.

Market Locations and Hours:

North Union Farmers Market in Lakewood
Arthur Avenue Extension in front of Kauffman Park, behind Drug Mart
Wednesdays, 10am to 1pm through September 30, 2010

North Union Farmers Market at the Cleveland Clinic
Crile Mall on East 100th between Euclid and Carnegie Avenues
Wednesdays, 10:30am to 2:30pm through October 6, 2010

North Union Farmers Market at Cleveland State University
Off of Euclid Avenue between East 18th and East 21st Streets
Thursdays, 10:30am to 1:30pm through October 2, 2010

Our Green Heritage Under Glass

2010-05-14T10:17:00.000-07:00

North Union Farmers Market is pleased to announce our first annual “Get Growing for Summer: Flower Day at the Market” at our Crocker Park location on May 22, 2010 from 9am to 2pm. This will be the perfect opportunity to get everything you need to start your landscaping, gardening and yard work for the summer. Plus, it is a wonderful opportunity to support your local nurseries!

Did you know that in the late 1930’s, Greater Cleveland was home to the largest concentration of farming acreage under glass (225 acres) in America? Greenhouses were popping up all over Cuyahoga County as early as 1887 when T.W. James built a greenhouse near Brooklyn Heights. In fact, Dean’s Greenhouse in Westlake, built in 1924, is one of the area’s oldest operational greenhouses. The greenhouse industry in Northeast Ohio continued to flourish (pun intended!) throughout much of the 20th century, culminating in 1972 when the Cleveland Plain Dealer referred to Cuyahoga and Lorain county area as the “Greenhouse Capital of America.”

Events in the early 1990’s (a freeze in Florida which drove the prices of tomatoes up and increasing emissions standards by the EPA) put a great strain on the industry. Many growers borrowed money personally to try to protect their business. Unfortunately, many went out of business and our title of “Greenhouse Capital of America” was lost.

Several growers still operate in our area, and it is important to support them. The local food movement in Northeast Ohio is extremely popular and prominent and increased use of sustainable growing practices by local greenhouses means the two movements can work together to restore this vital industry. People who are dedicated to eating food grown locally are restricted by Ohio’s climate. Advanced technologies and growing innovations in greenhouses may provide us with an extended season.

Show your support for local nurseries and local food! Visit a local nursery for your summer supplies or shop from over 5 greenhouse vendors at our “Flower Day at the Market” on May 22nd, 9am to 2pm at Crocker Park. Local seedlings are acclimatized and plants are grown right here in Ohio, and there is one other benefit to buying local--talking to the grower, asking him or her questions and gaining a wealth of knowledge from their expertise!

An Escape to the Country

2010-05-04T11:36:00.001-07:00

Our visit to Killbuck Valley Mushrooms...a delicious day!

On Sunday, May 2, a group of us from North Union Farmers Market including staff, board, farmers and market shoppers visited Killbuck Valley Mushrooms in Burbank, OH for a day of foraging mushrooms, learning about nature and relaxing in the country.

When we arrived, Tom and Wendy Wiandt, the owners and operators, were setting up tables and grills to prepare for the dinner Karen Small of The Flying Fig would help us prepare later. Chickens scurried throughout the yard, the sun peaked through the clouds we had all been watching for rain and we decided it was going to be a great day!

As guests arrived, Tom and his daughter, Jessie, showed us around the farm. They have a field planted with garlic and rutabagas, and a few of the guests were brave enough to pluck a rutabaga right out of the ground and take a bite! We then made our way into the woods to forage. The weather cooperated and we were soon gathering wild ginger, nettle, and a few wild mushrooms. The woods were so peaceful--the only sounds being the birds, babbling creek, and occasional shouts from one of as we slipped in the mud or creek! We also saw wild life such as salamanders, newts and frogs scampering through the leaves on the ground.

In the afternoon, we all tried fishing, but the cloudy sky kept all the fish hidden. Mick Prochko of Covered Bridge Gardens caught the only fish, but Tom and Mick had caught quite a few the evening before. We all headed back to the barn to watch Tom filet the fish and get ready for dinner.

Karen Small looked over the ingredients laid out on a table in the barn. You could watch the wheels in her head beginning to spin as she asked people to start chopping, boiling and preparing each dish. When it was all over, it was hard to believe she hadn't planned for days but only for a couple of hours! The meal consisted of a chicken stock soup, a rutabaga-sunchoke puree, deviled eggs, mixed and braised mustard greens, candied wild ginger, grilled asparagus, and the fish with a log shiitake cream sauce. For dessert, we enjoyed rhubarb candied in maple syrup over vanilla ice cream. More pictures and info to come on the dinner...

The day was relaxing, educational, DELICIOUS, and fun! We hope you'll join us on our next farm visit...stay tuned for details on when and where!

2009-11-20T08:38:00.000-08:00

Tiffany's Thanksgiving shopping list for the Crocker Park Farmers Market:

Butternut and Acorn Squash -- Weaver's Truck Patch
Eggs -- Plum Creek Farm
Carola Potatoes (for mashing) -- Peth Farm
Yellow Onions -- Hansen's Greenhouse
Carrots -- Peth Farm
Bulk Sausage (for my Grandma's famous stuffing!) -- Bluebird Meadows
Salted Butter -- Covered Bridge
Pie Pumpkins (for homemade pumpkin rolls) -- Weaver's Truck Patch
Buttercrisp Lettuce (for salad) -- Nature's Garden
Radishes (for salad) -- Hansen's Greenhouse
Cider (for Hot Mulled Apple Cider!) -- Smith's Fruit Farm and Woolf Farms (we go through alot!)
Bread (for the table) -- Lucy's Sweet Surrender
Pumpkin Pecan Pie -- Gray House Pies (because they make the best!)
Remember: Bring my knives for Garth to sharpen!

Emma's Thanksgiving Shopping List for Shaker Square:

Salad:

Salad Mix -- Oasis Acres/Snake Hill(has regular or spicy mix!!)
Pecans -- Covered Bridge Gardens
Chevre -- Mackenzie Creamery
Carrots -- Blissful Acres

Sides/Basic ingredients:

Brussel Sprouts -- RainbowFarms/ Schultz
Cauliflower -- RainbowFarms/ Schultz
Potatoes -- Weavers Truck Patch

Garlic -- Crooked Creek

Eggs -- Millgate Farm
Sweet Potatoes -- Heritage Lane Farm/Don Anna/Firefly
Cheese -- Ohio Farm Direct
Carrots -- Blissful Acres
Onions -- Snake Hill Farm
Cornmeal -- Covered Bridge
Heavy Cream/Milk for Gravy -- Country Gristmill
Butter -- Country Gristmill
Ground Pork for Stuffing -- New Creation Farms
Bread for Stuffing -- Zoss/Lucys

Turkey!!!

Tea Hill Poultry(Pick up Sat @ Market or Tuesday @ Shaker Sq. in front of Deweys between 2 and 6pm) --Tea Hill will also have Lamb, Goat and Chicken this Saturday!

Dessert:

Pie Pumkins(there is a shortage of canned pumkins so stock up!) -- Covered Bridge Gardens/Rainbows Farm/Snake Hill Farms
Apples for Pies --Schultz Farm/ Smith's Fruit Farm/ Woolf Farm
Strawberries -- Walnut Drive (They still have some everbearing!!!)

Have a great holiday, thank you for supporting local farms by shopping at the Market!

October at the Farmers Market

2009-10-02T15:01:00.000-07:00

We apologize that we've been to busy running markets, canning and freezing this year's harvest and visiting farms to blog! But it has been a great market season with farms reporting record sales and stands overflowing with a delicious bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Although we are winding down for the year, the market is still full of fun things like fall gourds, pumpkins, apples, grapes, and of course baked goods, artisan food products and more.

We are happy to report that our newest market at the Cleveland State University has been getting lots of visitors! We are open through October 22 on Thursdays from 10:30am to 1:30pm on Euclid Ave. between East 18th and East 21st Streets. Ride the trolley from downtown on your lunch break!

We're planning some fun ideas for Halloween at the market this year! Any ideas? Leave us a comment!

"It Must Be October"
By Pearl N. Sorrels

The harvest moon hangs round and high
It dodges clouds high in the sky
The stars wink down their love and mirth
The Autumn seasons is giving birth
Oh it must be October
The leaves of red bright gold and brown
To Mother earth come tumbling down
The breezy nights the ghostly sights
The eerie spooky far off sounds
Are signs that its October
The pumpkin yellow big and round
Are carried by costumed clumsy clowns
Its Halloween lets celebrate
Come one come all and don't be late
We know now its October
We'll roast and toast some luscious food
For apples we'll be bobbin
While tales are told around the fire
Of timely ghosts and goblins
Oh how we love October
The moon has grown pale
The stars have grown dim
Our Halloween party is over
With a hi-de-ho homeward we'll go
What a delightful month October

You know it's summertime when...

2009-07-10T13:51:00.000-07:00

You see baskets overflowing with fresh, plump blueberries at the farmers market.

You spend more time working on the outside of your house than cleaning the inside!

You smell freshly cut grass as you drive through your neighborhood.

Waking up early on a Saturday morning is ok...you've got to get to the market before all the good produce is gone!

The TV has gone an entire day without being turned on.

You skip work to go to the zoo.

CORN ON THE COB!!

You use your grill more than your stove.

Every weekend there is a different festival or event happening around town.

You remember what a REAL tomato, fresh from the farm, tastes like!

Your shower curtain has been replaced by wet bathing suits and beach towels.

The radio keeps playing the Beach Boys.

Your kids realize that they like green beans when they haven't been canned or frozen!

Dessert doesn't have to be covered in chocolate or whipped cream -- fresh berries are just as sweet!

Enjoy summer while it's here!

Fun Summer Recipe!

2009-06-18T11:48:00.000-07:00

Summer Green Bruschetta

Delicious as an appetizer or a light meal!

1/4 cup unbleached almonds3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup thinly sliced onion or shallot
1 pound assorted young leafy summer greens (Visit Salash Farm, Red Wagon Farm, Cherry Knoll Farm, Snake Hill Farm and many others for a great selection!)
Coarse salt and ground pepper 1 garlic clove, minced to a paste (or use garlic scapes from the market!)
8 slices rustic bread toasted (1/2-inch thick and 4 inches across) (Visit one of the bakers at the market for the freshest bread!)
2 ounces of goat cheese (Visit Mackenzie Creamery at all our weekend markets!)
2 teaspoons sherry or balsamic vinegar

1. Sautee almonds in a large skillet over medium heat, tossing occasionally until fragrant and crisp (about 7 minutes). Remove from heat. Once cooled, chop in a food processor until finely ground; set aside.
2. In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Add onion and cook, stirring constantly until tender. Working in batches, add greens, season with salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Cover for 1 minute to steam, then add remaining greens. Uncover and cook 1 to 2 minutes until greens are tender and water has evaporated. If water remains in pan, drain, and cool greens to room temperature.
3. In a small bowl, combine ground almonds, garlic, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper.
4. Spread a teaspoon or so of almond mixture on each slice of bread. Top with cheese. Toss greens with vinegar and place on top of the cheese.

Exciting Stuff at the Markets!!

2009-05-29T07:18:00.000-07:00

This is shaping up to be a great weekend at both our Shaker Square and Crocker Park Markets.

Are you a West Sider? Bring the kids to Crocker Park to see the Alpacas! If you missed opening day and didn't get to meet these gentle, herd animals, make sure to stop by Alpaca Meadows' stand!

It's official, summer in Ohio is on it's way! Red Wagon Farm will be at both Crocker Park and Shaker Square this week, and Walnut Drive Gardens will begin it's season next Saturday, June 6th. Each week more and more local produce is making it's way to our farmers market's by way of our favorite farms!

Shaker Square Market will also have Polter's Berry Farm this week with the first of this seasons Strawberries!!

Great American Lamb Co. will also be at Shaker Square for the first time with their great selection of Lamb. If you want an idea for a recipe try these Lamb Chops with a Mint Jelly Crust http://www.recipezaar.com/Lamb-Chops-With-Mint-Jelly-Crust-133020. Substitute traditional mint jelly with garden.vineyard.grove's amazing Sauvignon Blanc Mint Jelly for that extra wow factor!

See you at the Market!

News Herald 5/28/09

2009-05-28T06:45:00.000-07:00

Here is a nice article about our market at the Cleveland Clinic! http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2009/05/28/life/nh948442.txt

Tiffany's Shopping List for the Crocker Park Farmers Market, Saturday May 23, 2009

2009-05-22T09:17:00.001-07:00

This week, I'm stocking up on "grill-ables" for picnics with family and friends!

Memorial Day Picnic:
Garden Brats -- Bluebird Meadows
Italian Sausage -- Sirna's Farm
Hamburger Patties -- Bluebird Meadows
Bison Patties (for my Grandpa who likes to eat healthy!) -- Heads and Tails Bison Ranch
Chicken Breasts -- Plum Creek Poultry
Shitake Mushrooms to top burgers -- Killbuck Valley Mushrooms
Lettuce (to make a nice salad) -- Nature's Garden Produce
Sweet Horseradish Pickles to top burgers -- Sirna's Farm
Assorted Mustards to top EVERYTHING -- garden.vineyard.grove.ltd
A couple of pies -- Gray House Pies (in case I'm too busy to bake!)

Bruschetta for a get-together I'm having this week (a light, easy appetizer):
Demi-Baguette -- Breadsmith of Lakewood
Feta Cheese -- Ohio Farm Direct
Pasta Sauce -- A Friend who Cooks (delicious with anything!)

Baking Day (my day off):
Apples for pie -- Woolf Farm
Rhubarb -- Covered Bridge
Rolled Oats -- A&D Cottage Foods

Also need to get:
Basil, Lavender, Oregano, Sage, and Thyme to start my herb baskets -- Hansen's Greenhouse
Hanging Basket as a "thank you" gift for my aunt -- Uncle John's Plant Farm
"Green" cleaning products -- Green Clean

2009-05-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

Visit our two Saturday Markets at Shaker Square 8am to Noon and Crocker Park 9am to 1pm.

Get up-to-date info on what’s happening at the market and what’s in season: Follow North Union Farmers Market on Twitter!

This week at Crocker Park, Hansen’s Greenhouse will bring their BIG TRUCK full of seedlings for your garden and landscaping! Heirloom varieties, herbs, and much more will be available. Ohio Farm Direct will be bringing organic ice cream—perfect for a sunny Saturday afternoon!
Planning a picnic for the holiday weekend? You’ll find the perfect ingredients at the market! Pasta for salads, beef and chicken for grilling, pork for bbq’ing, and much more. Visit Tea Hill Farm and Plum Creek at Shaker Square for chicken and Millgate Farm for beef. Hamper Homestead at Shaker Square will have pork as well!

Vendors at Crocker Park
Bring your knives! The knife-sharpener returns!

Bluebird Meadows, Cherry Knoll Farm, Hansen’s Greenhouse, Heads and Tails Bison Ranch, Jorgensen’s Apiary, Killbuck Valley Mushrooms, Nature’s Garden Produce, Ohio Farm Direct, Sirna’s Farm, Tansy Farm, Uncle John’s Plant Farm, Weaver’s Truck Patch, Woolf Farm, Breadsmith of Lakewood, A Friend who Cooks, garden.vineyard.grove, ltd., The Grateful Dog Bakery, Gray House Pies, Homemade Delights, Judy’s Oasis, Lucy’s Sweet Surrender, Ohio City Pasta, pZazz Hot Sauces, Sweetie Pie Bakery, Zoss, the Swiss Baker, Ana Banana Jewelry, Green Clean, Hummingbird Creations, Sue Santiago, Sunshine Couture, Supplements Etc, Trish Supples, Master Gardeners

Vendors at Shaker Square

Blissful Acres, Bowen Farm Garden, Cormack’s Market Garden, Country Gristmill, Covered Bridge Gardens, Deer Run Farm, Firefly Farm, Gingerich Farm, Goodell Family Farm, Hamper Homestead Farm, Heritage Lane Farm, Killbuck Valley Mushrooms, Middle Ridge Gardens, Millgate Farm, Morning Song Garden, Muddy Fork Farm, Oasis Acres, Ohio Farm Direct, Ohio Honey Company, Plum Creek Farm, Rootstown Organic Farm, Rosa’s Front Porch, Salash Farm, Scales to Tails, Sleeping Dragon Botanicals, Snake Hill Farm, Tea Hills Farm, Woolf Farm, Carol’s Eatable Art, Chooch & Pootan, Conchy’s Cabana Cubana, Dewey’s Coffee, A Friend Who Cooks, Gray House Pies, Hillfarm Feast, Homemade Delights, Jenny’s Sweets, Judy’s Oasis, Lucy’s Sweet Surrender, Ohio City Pasta, The Olive Tap, Reilly’s, Spice of Life Catering, Zoss the Swiss Baker, Ellen Schmidt Jewelry, Esperanza Threads, Exquisite Soaps, Designs by Arielle and Pamela, Intuition by Leah, JohnE’s Massage Works, Lake Erie Artist Gallery, Lise Anderson Jewelry, MZ Beads, Rapunzel’s Cottage, Scarlett O, Virescent Designs, The Artists Archive of the Western Reserve, Master Gardeners, South Euclid Humane Society

Focus on Health:

Visit Heritage Lane Farm at Shaker Square and Heads and Tails Bison Ranch at Crocker Park this weekend for bison! Bison at your holiday picnic is a healthy alternative to beef. Bison is higher in protein, iron, and Vitamin B-12 and lower in fat, cholesterol and calories!

Emma's Shopping List for Shaker Square, Saturday May 16th

2009-05-15T12:50:00.000-07:00

I like to arrange my shopping list by meals so I have a plan of attack:

Pasta Night:
Mushroom Pesto - Killbuck Valley Mushrooms
Heavy Cream - Country Gristmill
Spinach Pasta - Ohio City Pasta
Butter Garlic Chicken Patties - Tea Hills Poultry

Nachos and Wings for the Basketball Games with Friends(Go Cavs!!):
Grassfed Ground Beef - Millgate Farm
Cilantro - Salash Farms/Rootstown Organic/Firefly Farm
Cheese - Ohio Farm Direct
Chicken Wings - Plum Creek Poultry

Sunday AM Pancake Breakfast
Butter, Milk, Stutzman's Flour - Country Gristmill
Eggs - Hamper Homestead/Snake Hill Farm
Bacon - Hamper Homestead
Maple Syrup - Snake Hill Farm/Goodell

Extras(side dishes etc.):
Asparagus - Schultz Family Farms
Radishes (roasted are my favorites!) - Covered Bridge Gardens
Lettuce - Oasis Acres
Greens - Salash Family Farms and Cormack's Market Garden
Cheese for salads - Ohio Farm Direct
Honey(for my tea and yogurt) - Ohio Honey
Fresh Flowers - Morning Song Gardens/Bowen Farm Gardens/Rosa's Front Porch

Must Remember:
Gift for Samantha's B-day - potted plant from Middle Ridge for her new apartment/jewelry from an artist??
Wedding Gift for Rachel - The Clubhouse, handmade wooden bowl

This Week at the Market, May 16, 2009

2009-05-15T09:10:00.000-07:00

Visit our two Saturday Markets at Shaker Square 8am to Noon and Crocker Park 9am to 1pm.

Do you enjoy shopping at the market?

Do you like the fact that you can find safe, locally-grown food for your family each week? There are many proposed bills at the federal level that will change the way farmers markets operate in the United States. For information on proposed changes to our local food system, visit American Farmland Trust’s website. Write to your representatives to tell them why YOU value local food and farms!

Rhubarb Meringue Pie

From Farmer’s Market Cookbook by Ysanne Spevack

A fun springtime dessert… from scratch!

1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour, plus extra for flouring

¼ cup ground walnuts

½ cup chilled butter or margarine, diced

A generous 2 ½ cup unrefined caster sugar or rapadura

4 egg yolks

1½ lb rhubarb, cut into small pieces

Grated rind and juice of 3 oranges

5 tbsp corn starch

3 egg whites

Whipped cream to serve

Sift the flour into a bowl and add the group walnuts. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in 2 tbsp of the sugar with 1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tbsp of water. Mix to a firm dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Roll out the pastry on a floured surface and use to line a 9 inch fluted flat tin (quiche pan). Prick the base with a fork. Line with foil and fill with baking beans. Bake for 15 minutes.
Put the rhubarb 6 tbsp of the sugar and orange rind in a pan. Cover and cook gently until rhubarb is tender.
Remove the foil and beans from the pastry case, then brush with a little of the remaining egg yolk. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the pastry is crisp.
Blend together the cornstarch and the orange juice in a small bowl. Remove the rhubarb from the heat and stir in the cornstarch mixture then bring back to a boil, stirring constantly until thickened. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then beat in the remaining egg yolks. Pour into the cooked pastry case, spreading evenly.
Whisk the egg whites in a large mixing bowl until the form soft peaks, then gradually which in the remaining sugar 1 tbsp at a time, whisking well after each addition.
Spoon the meringue over the filling to cover completely. Bake for 25 minutes until golden. Serve warm or leave to cool for 30 minutes and serve with whipped cream.

Vendors at Crocker Park
Bluebird Meadows, Covered Bridge, Dean’s Greenhouse, Garden Gate Herbs, Hansen’s Greenhouse, Jorgensen’s Apiary, Killbuck Valley Mushrooms, Nature’s Garden Produce, Ohio Farm Direct, Sirna’s Farm, Snake Hill Farm, Tansy Farm, Uncle John’s Plant Farm, Weaver’s Truck Patch, Woolf Farm, Breadsmith of Lakewood, A Friend who Cooks, garden.vineyard.grove, ltd., The Grateful Dog Bakery, Gray House Pies, Homemade Delights, Judy’s Oasis, Lucy’s Sweet Surrender, Ohio City Pasta, The Olive Tap, pZazz Hot Sauces, Sweetie Pie Bakery, Tatum’s Mom’s Cookies, Zoss, the Swiss Baker, Ana Banana Jewelry, Green Clean, Partners in Pottery, Sunshine Couture, Trish Supples, Treasures, Master Gardeners

Vendors at Shaker Square
Blissful Acres, Bowen Farm Garden, Cormack’s Market Garden, Country Gristmill, Covered Bridge Gardens, Deer Run Farm, Firefly Farm, Goodell Family Farm, Hamper Homestead Farm, Immaculata Farm, Killbuck Valley Mushrooms, Middle Ridge Gardens, Millgate Farm, Morning Song Garden, Muddy Fork Farm, Oasis Acres, Ohio Farm Direct, Ohio Honey Company, Plum Creek Farm, Rootstown Organic Farm, Rosa’s Front Porch, Salash Farm, Scales to Tails, Sleeping Dragon Botanicals, Snake Hill Farm, Tea Hills Farm, Woolf Farm, Carol’s Eatable Art, Chooch & Pootan, Conchy’s Cabana Cubana, Dewey’s Coffee, A Friend Who Cooks, Gray House Pies, Hillfarm Feast, Homemade Delights, Jenny’s Sweets, Judy’s Oasis, La Campagna, Lucy’s Sweet Surrender, Ohio City Pasta, The Olive Tap, Rapunzel’s Cottage, Reilly’s, Zoss the Swiss Baker, Exquisite Soaps, Designs by Arielle and Pamela, JohnE’s Massage Works, Lake Erie Artist Gallery, Lise Anderson Jewelry, Scarlett O, Truly Namaste Natural Skin Care, Virescent Designs, Master Gardeners, Nature Center at Shaker Lakes

Focus on Health:

Rhubarb is a good source of Magnesium, Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Calcium, Potassium and Manganese.

Go Green!

Visit Green Clean a new vendor this year at the Crocker Park Farmers Market for cleaning products that are local, environmentally-friendly, and safe for you and your family!

Spring has Sprung!!

2009-05-12T17:25:00.000-07:00

It has begun! North Union Farmers Market has opened for Spring at it's Shaker Square and Crocker Park locations. The farmers have returned with the best spring produce available in Ohio, including asparagus, pea shoots, rhubarb, spring greens, lettuce, radishes, grassfed beef, local dairy products, honey, poultry, maple syrup and much more!

Come and join our community, see you at the Market!