Vendor Updates

The market started out on a soaking wet note last week, with just a handful of hardy vendors joining us. We expect more vendors to be back this week with all their wonderful locally-grown and locally-produced foods. Tomatoes are coming in at full tilt right now, but they’ll be gone before you know it so be sure to stock up at Seeders and Feeders, North Oaks Farm, or Back Acres Farm. Remember that you can trim out the core and freeze them raw. They will soften when they thaw out, but will work for sauce, soups, and just about any dish where tomatoes are cooked. Look over here for more information and recipes. Peppers are starting to ripen with shortening days and cantaloupe, apples, okra, beans, greens, zucchini, and potatoes are all available.

Stop by Shadeau for bread and pastries,  Like Mom’s Only Vegan for cookies , Gaiser Bee Company for honey and honey products, and  Aunt Flora’s for amazing cobblers.

Emmanuel Allen Performs

We are thrilled to welcome Emmanuel Allen to the market this week. Emmanuel is a master kalimba player, but also sings and plays a variety of other instruments.

Product Spotlight: Potatoes

Potatoes, relatives of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant, are a source of vitamin B6, copper, potassium, vitamin C, and various other vitamins and minerals. Combined with a flavorful broth, Swiss chard, cheese, and sour cream, they help make a rich, creamy, and ridiculously easy soup. Apple-potato latkes are a great twist on a classic, and summer squash and potato torte takes advantage of a variety of seasonal produce to make a surprisingly flavorful dish that’s always a crowd pleaser.

Apple-Potato Latkes

Summer Squash and Potato Torte

Swiss Chard and Potato Soup

Market Information

The outdoor College Hill Farm Market is open every Thursday from 3:00 to 6:30pm in the parking lot of the College Hill Presbyterian Church, 5742 Hamilton Ave from May 18th to October 12th. Most weeks feature music from 5-6:30 and some weeks feature kids’ activities.

The College Hill Farm Market accepts credit cards, EBT/SNAP, and WIC FMNP coupons. Those using EBT will receive up to $10 in matching Produce Perks tokens to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from participating markets. Stop by the market table for more information.

Vendor Updates

Seeders and Feeders premiered some first-of-the-season apple varieties last week (Honeycrisp and “Mystery”) with more to come. Check out the apple recipes below to take full advantage of this crop. North Oaks Farm had loads of seasonal produce like acorn squash and corn as well as fresh batches of homemade jams. Back Acres Farm  brought tomatoes, melons, canned goods, meat, eggs, and lots of other veggies.

Did you snag a slice of Aunt Flora’s poundcake last week? It had a creamy crumb on the inside and a delightful crunch on the outside. Keep your eyes peeled for special features from these folks. Like Mom’s Only Vegan also premiered their small bags of vegan cookies along with the regular-sized bags. Shadeau Bread had not only pastries (chocolate croissants!) and bread, but also cut flowers and Mt. Healthy Honey. Gaiser Bee Company will be back with their local honey and honey products and Bright Soapworks will be at the market (as long as it’s not raining, which would ruin the soap) with their wide range of rich, fragrant soaps. FYI the Lavender Patchouli sold out last week. J &R Southern Grill continues to join us most weeks with their burgers, metts, ribs, sides, and more.

MayaLou Banatwala Performs 

We are excited to welcome MayaLou Banatwala to the market this week! She plays sweet, soulful sounds on the ukulele and is also the lead singer of the rock/soul/blues band Heavy Hinges. MayaLou will be at the market from 3 to 4:30.

Product Spotlight: Apples

Many of the varieties of apples available at local farmers’ market are ones you will never find in a grocery store. For example, the ‘Lodi’ early transparents that Seeders and Feeders had earlier this season do not store or ship well so they don’t ever make it to Kroger, but they do make delicious apple pie. Apples are a source of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. Remember that the fiber is primarily found in the skin and cooking will decrease the vitamin C (though not the potassium). If you’ve never made applesauce you’ll be amazed by how quick and easy it is. It’s a great way to use apples with blemishes (just trim them out) and it’s completely adaptable to your tastes. Apple-potato latkes are a delicious twist on a classic. The accompanying sauce recipe takes them over the top. Apple pie is especially great with tart apples, whose flavor provides nice contrast to the other ingredients’ richness and sweetness. This incredible apple pie recipe with a crunchy streusel topping includes a link to a great homemade pie crust recipe.

Applesauce

Apple-Potato Latkes

Apple Pie

Market Information

The outdoor College Hill Farm Market is open every Thursday from 3:00 to 6:30pm in the parking lot of the College Hill Presbyterian Church, 5742 Hamilton Ave from May 18th to October 12th. Most weeks feature music from 5-6:30 and some weeks feature kids’ activities and food demos.

The College Hill Farm Market accepts credit cards, EBT/SNAP, and WIC FMNP coupons. Those using EBT will receive up to $10 in matching Produce Perks tokens to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from participating markets. Stop by the market table for more information.

August 8th was National Sneak some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day (it really was!) so be sure to pick up some zucchini or summer squash from Back Acres Farm, Seeders and Feeders, or North Oaks Farm to do your part. See below for some ideas on what to do with these versatile veggies. 

Bright Soapworks was back last week with some new soap scents as well as lotion sticks and tons of other products. Aunt Flora’s offers cobblers, coffees, and sauces and Like Mom’s Only Vegan (above) has amazing cookies. Gaiser Bee Company sells a range of honey and honey products, Shadeau has incredible bread and pastries, and J&R Southern Grill brings you grilled and smoked meats (hot dogs, metts, burgers, ribs, etc.) and sides like beans and mac and cheese.

Some of our vendors do sell out so be sure to arrive as early as you can!

National Farmers’ Market Week

It’s also National Farmer’s Market week this week! Sometimes it’s easy to forget why we shop at farmers’ markets. Some (not all!) of the benefits include getting fresher, higher-quality produce, supporting small business people in your region, connecting with the people who produce your food and your neighbors, and supporting agricultural practices that are often better for the environment. That’s not to mention that the food we find at markets is downright delicious! The offerings at farmers’ markets can encourage us to try foods we may not have otherwise; remember to ask the vendors how they like to prepare their products.

Peraza Music Workshop Performs

We are excited to welcome Peraza Music Workshop to the market this week. They will be at the market around 3:30 or 4:00.

Product Spotlight: Zucchini or Summer Squash part 2!

In honor of National Sneak some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day (a reference to the abundance of the crop around this time of year) here are some delicious dishes that spotlight this surprisingly healthy veggie. The summer squash au gratin with salsa verde is a stunning way to prepare squash or zucchini as a main dish or a potluck side dish. If the slightly cooler weather has given you the baking bug try one of the zucchini/squash breads – you can make them as a tray bake or as muffins. Remember that you can grate and freeze squash for making dishes like this. See the June 29th Newsletter for more information and ideas about zucchini and summer squash.

Summer Squash Au Gratin with Salsa Verde

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

Summer Squash Bread

Market Information

The outdoor College Hill Farm Market is open every Thursday from 3:00 to 6:30pm in the parking lot of the College Hill Presbyterian Church, 5742 Hamilton Ave, from May 18th to October 12th. Most weeks feature music and some weeks feature kids’ activities.

The College Hill Farm Market accepts credit cards, EBT/SNAP, and WIC FMNP coupons. Those using EBT will receive up to $10 in matching Produce Perks tokens to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from participating markets. Stop by the market table for more information.

Vendor Updates

Lots of exciting produce made its debut at last week’s market. North Oaks Farm had okra and Back Acres Farm had fresh lima beans. (Succotash, anyone? Both vendors had sweet corn if that’s on your menu). Seeders and Feeders continue to offer their superior peaches, blackberries, early transparent apples, and veggies.

Every week you can pick up Shadeau bread and pastries (a word to the wise: it’s dangerous to buy two, thinking you’ll take one home), Like Mom’s Only Vegan’s cookies, and Aunt Flora’s Cobblers. Gaiser Bee Company has this years’ honey for sale as well as honey treats and products. And J&R Southern Grill keeps working hard to bring you smoked and grilled meats and sides.

Preston Charles Performs

We are excited to welcome Preston Charles back to the market this week!

Be sure to stop by and hear violinist Preston Charles playing at this week’s market. Preston is a proud father of three and a musician that has studied this field since the age of four. He started the violin with a private teacher, Gloria Wallace, who worked with him through high school and further developed under Ken Welsh at WHHS. Transitioning into composition, he found that folk, classical, and other lively forms of music were all in great compliment and just as important as the classics! You can find him on YouTube, at various places in the region, or check out his website MAKEITHAPPENMUSIC.COM, where you can book or support him in a variety of ways.

Product Spotlight: Okra

Okra suffers from a lot of bad PR. Some think okra is only good for frying or pickling, which are both delicious, but ignore the power and versatility of this unique fruit. It also has a reputation for being slimy, which it can be! It’s best to embrace okra’s mucilage (slime) and use it to thicken and bind dishes, like this non-traditional okra gumbo and Indian-style Bhindi Masala. Both use a lot of seasonal veggies. Remember to look for small okra (they can get woody when large) and to remove the stem end when preparing them.

Okra Gumbo

Bhindi Masala

Market Information

The outdoor College Hill Farm Market is open every Thursday from 3:00 to 6:30pm in the parking lot of the College Hill Presbyterian Church, 5742 Hamilton Ave from May 18th to October 12th. Most weeks feature music from 5-6:30 and some weeks feature kids’ activities and food demos.

The College Hill Farm Market accepts credit cards, EBT/SNAP, and WIC FMNP coupons. Those using EBT will receive up to $10 in matching Produce Perks tokens to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from participating markets. Stop by the market table for more information.

Vendor Updates

It’s been so lovely to have flowers and plants from Northside’s Village Green gracing the Shadeau bread market table. Also, Aunt Flora’s debuted some of their delightful coffees at the market last week. Be sure to pick up a bottle of their sauce (it goes with everything!) and a cobbler, of course. North Oaks Farm will be back this week with seasonal berries and veggies as well as their homemade jams.

Gaiser Bee Company brought raw honeycomb to the market last week (along with all their other wonderful honey products). Try it on toast, oatmeal, yogurt, or salad, for a whole new honey experience. Seeders and Feeders had peaches apples, and veggies. Back Acres Farm brought cantaloupe, tomatoes, greens, peppers, onions, corn, greens, and more. Don’t forget they always have eggs and meat, too! Like Mom’s Only Vegan will have delightful cookies every week and J&R Southern Grill will have grilled and smoked meats and sides to take care of your market-shopping hunger. 

Produce Spotlight: Tomatoes

Tomato season is hitting its stride at the market. The nutritional benefits of tomatoes are practically too numerous to mention; they have many potentially-beneficial phytonutrients and a serving provides about a third of your daily value of vitamin C. They also contain high levels biotin, molybdenum, and vitamin K. Cooking tomatoes increases the amount of lycopene, a beneficial phytonutrient (though it decreases the vitamin C). Try the unbelievable three-ingredient tomato sauce from Marcella Hazan; it’s especially wonderful over polenta. Bruschetta isn’t just for bread! Try it with quinoa for a bruschetta grain bowl. The balsamic in this recipe takes it over the top. And don’t forget about a salad or panzanella (bread salad) with tomatoes, like the BLT salad.

Marcella Hazan’s Tomato Sauce

Bruschetta

BLT Salad

Market Information

The outdoor College Hill Farm Market is open every Thursday from 3:00 to 6:30pm in the parking lot of the College Hill Presbyterian Church, 5742 Hamilton Ave from May 18th to October 12th. Most weeks feature music from 5-6:30 and some weeks feature kids’ activities and food demos.

The College Hill Farm Market accepts credit cards, EBT/SNAP, and WIC FMNP coupons. Those using EBT will receive up to $10 in matching Produce Perks tokens to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from participating markets. Stop by the market table for more information.

Vendor Updates

Blackberries made an appearance at last week’s market at both Seeders and Feeders and North Oaks Farm. Back Acres Farm had first-of-the-season sweet corn along with plenty of other seasonal veggies, eggs, meat, and canned goods.

When you stop by the Shadeau stand for breads and pastries keep an eye out for some new items – bedding herbs and cut flowers from the Village Green in Northside. You can also pick up Mt. Healthy Honey. Looking for beeswax candles or a honey stick treat? Check out Gaiser Bee Company. To further satisfy your sweet tooth check out Aunt Flora’s Cobblers (it’s true what they say – they are just that good) and Like Mom’s Only Vegan‘s cookies (whether you’re avoid animal products or not!). Bright Soapworks has an impressive array of handmade soaps and other items. J&R Southern Grill will have a full menu of smoked and grilled meats and sides. Last week turkey “ribs” made an appearance.

Play the Recycling Game!

Have you ever found yourself asking “Can I recycle this?” or, “How can I make sure my family is recycling in the right way?” Cincinnati Recycles will be on hand during this week’s market to answer your recycling related questions and to test your knowledge with a recycling game.

Preston Charles Performs

Be sure to stop by and hear violinist Preston Charles playing at this week’s market. Preston is a proud father of three and a musician that has studied this field since the age of four. He started the violin with a private teacher, Gloria Wallace, who worked with him through high school and further developed under Ken Welsh at WHHS. Transitioning into composition, he found that folk, classical, and other lively forms of music were all in great compliment and just as important as the classics! You can find him on YouTube, at various places in the region, or check out his website MAKEITHAPPENMUSIC.COM, where you can book or support him in a variety of ways.

Product Spotlight: Green Beans

Bacon-braised green beans are perfect as a summer barbecue side dish, but they could also be a weeknight main dish. The beans are savory, sweet, and salty from the bacon, plenty of onion, and a hint of sugar. Green beans and almonds are a classic combination (think green beans amandine), but green beans with almond pesto puts a different twist on the dish, grinding the almonds into a pesto with cheese, garlic, herbs, and oil. The pesto would be a great accompaniment to a number of grains and veggies and is also just fine eaten with a spoon.

Bacon-Braised Green Beans

Green Beans with Almond Pesto

Market Information

The outdoor College Hill Farm Market is open every Thursday from 3:00 to 6:30pm in the parking lot of the College Hill Presbyterian Church, 5742 Hamilton Ave from May 18th to October 12th. Most weeks feature music from 5-6:30 and some weeks feature kids’ activities and food demos.

The College Hill Farm Market accepts credit cards, EBT/SNAP, and WIC FMNP coupons. Those using EBT will receive up to $10 in matching Produce Perks tokens to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from participating markets. Stop by the market table for more information.

Vendor Updates

Thank you to the vendors and market patrons who braved the rainy weather last week to support the College Hill Farm Market. The peaches from Seeders and Feeders did indeed sell out as did the 100% whole wheat loaves from Shadeau (along with most of the other breads and pastries). Back Acres Farm had various varieties of tomatoes (including greenies!) and North Oaks Farm had blueberries along with produce and jams. Like Mom’s Only Vegan  brought their incredible vegan cookies. J&R Southern Grill will be back this week along with Gaiser Bee Company. Expect to see Mai Ro and Co, Aunt Flora’s , and Bright Soapworks, too (soap doesn’t fare too well in the rain, you know).

MayaLou Banatwala Performs

We are excited to welcome MayaLou Banatwala to the market this week! She plays sweet, soulful sounds  on the ukulele and is also the lead singer of the rock/soul/blues band Heavy Hinges.

Product Spotlight: Carrots

Carrots are biennials related to parsley, cilantro, dill, cumin, and fennel that store nutrients in a taproot for flowering during their second year. They contain plenty of healthful phytonutrients like beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Beta-carotene is partially converted into Vitamin A in the body and the other pigments may be good for vision. Carrots are also a source of Vitamin K, biotin, and B6. Cooking (depending on the method) makes the beta-carotene more available, which makes carrot soups a delicious, easy, and healthful choice.

This Carrot Miso Soup from Smitten Kitchen is so simple and satisfying. Watch the saltiness of your broth since the miso is quite salty and remember not to boil miso if you can help it (it depletes the health benefits). This soup is better the day it is made, unlike many soups. Find white miso at Fresh Thyme, Jungle Jim’s, or CAM (among other stores). The Carrot Coconut Curry Soup adapted from Orangette gets heat from Sriracha and curry paste, brightness from lime juice, and a luscious mouthfeel from coconut milk.

Carrot Miso Soup

Carrot Coconut Curry Soup

Market Information

The outdoor College Hill Farm Market is open every Thursday from 3:00 to 6:30pm in the parking lot of the College Hill Presbyterian Church, 5742 Hamilton Ave from May 18th to October 12th. Most weeks feature music from 5-6:30 and some weeks feature kids’ activities and food demos.

The College Hill Farm Market accepts credit cards, EBT/SNAP, and WIC FMNP coupons. Those using EBT will receive up to $10 in matching Produce Perks tokens to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from participating markets. Stop by the market table for more information.