Tremont Farmers’ Market

Celebrate Fall at TFM! How auspicious that this week’s market should fall on the Autumnal Equinox, which will occur at exactly 5:18pm. A time of harvest, a time to reflect; respect the dark, and give thanks for the light.
And, shall we try to balance an egg on end?

Last Saturday, I attended a workshop, Our Food in Your Future, sponsored by the Innovative Farmers of Ohio. In addition to three great speakers, there were dynamic discussions and ideas centered on these three things: access, school food, and legislation, and we were challenged to brainstorm about solutions to barriers on each of these topics. I, in turn, pass the challenge onto you.

How do we access more food grown in Ohio? How do we educate and encourage others, and make it more available?

How do we ensure that our children are eating good, healthy foods in their schools? Learn more about Slow Food’s Time For Lunch Campaign.

How does upcoming legislation affect small farmers/producers and how is the consumer affected?

Read more about the workshop in this article by Debbie Snook in the Plain Dealer.

Eat well, be well.

In Season: Apples, watermelons, cantaloupes and peaches. Celery, tomatoes, corn, zucchini, beans, melons, kale, swiss chard, garlic, onions, cucumbers, pickling cucumbers, parsley, basil, squash of many sorts, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, beets, peaches, sweet and hot peppers, flowers (edible and not). Also available are eggs, meat, cheese, plants, jewelry, knitted goods, tea, hot sauces, bread, waffles, honey, and more.
*How Local Can You Go?*

Vendors:
Beecology, Country Charm Flowers, Great American Lamb Co., Hickory Acre Meats, Good & Raw, Jo Jo’s Pastry Works, Knoble Farms, Lake Erie Creamery, Ms. Julie’s Kitchen, Ohio Farm Direct, Perla Homemade Delights, Plant Kingdom Bakery, p’Zazz! Hot Sauces, Rubs and More, Red Basket Farm, Redozo Farm, Riverside Garden, Rock Valley Run, Suzanniehandknits, t. by Sarah, TUFS (Tremont Urban Food System), Unforkettable Jewelry and Wonder City Farm.

Vendor Highlights:
Suzanne from SuzannieHandknits has been whipping up some wonderful knits for fall: hats, bags and scarves. Make sure you’re warm and fashionable this winter!
Rock Valley Run has fantastic looking mums to plant in the garden now, and succulents for inside.
Riverside Gardens say they might have concord grapes this week—the sweetest of sweet!
Plant Kingdom Bakery plans to bring Nut Buttery Goodness bars with hemp protein
Wonder City Farm has Florence Fennel, AKA finocchio, AKA bulbing fennel. Widely used in Italian cooking, it is wonderful raw or cooked. Not so well known here, finicchio has a rich history. Try it!

Music: Andrew Shepherd going solo! Playing with the likes of the Burning River Band and the Flyin’ Jays, Andrew has much to offer all on his own!

Knife Sharpening: Kevin Noon has a unique setup. Come check out his human powered sharpening system. Knives, gardening tools, vegetable peelers and more. Bring ‘em on! he says.

Kid’s Corner: Camille George is always a creative force, and kids love her! A safe place for your kids’ enjoy a few moments while you are perusing the veggies.

WIC will be at TFM to distribute coupons. We are proud to participate in this program, and you may see the line forming for folks receiving coupons. To clarify, there is no need to line up to get into the market.

Senior’s Coupons and EBT (Ohio Direction Card) also accepted.

“In September
for a while
I will ride
a crocodile
down the
chicken soupy Nile.
Paddle once
paddle twice
paddle chicken soup
with rice.”
From: Chicken Soup with Rice by Maurice Sendak

Peace,
Jody Lathwell, market manager

BIG vs. small:
Take your healthcare into your own hands.
After reading Michael Pollan’s latest article, Big Food vs. Big Insurance I just had to keep nodding my head in agreement. Agribusiness, insurance and healthcare are tangled up in one big mess with our government, and it needs to change. “The American way of eating has become the elephant in the room in the debate over health care” writes Pollan.
Tame that elephant, eat small— that is, eat food from small, local producers that you purchase directly from the grower.

Secrets of the Farmers’ Market
Here is a well-written article I’d like to share about the experience of changing sides of the table, of one woman’s experience of becoming a farmers’ market vendor.

Rumor has it that Red Basket Farm will have celery this week! (I’m excited because it is one vegetable that my oldest son will always eat.)

*TFM will be hosting a showing of PolyCultures: Food Where We Live at the end of Oct. For those who do not know, this is a film about the local food movement in Northeast Ohio. A few folks involved with TFM, both past and present, are featured in the movie! As soon as details are nailed down, I’ll certainly let you know.

In Season: Apples, watermelons, cantaloupes and peaches. Celery!!!! Tomatoes, corn, zucchini, beans, melons, kale, swiss chard, garlic, onions, cucumbers, pickling cucumbers, parsley, basil, squash of many sorts, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, beets, peaches, sweet and hot peppers, flowers (edible and not). Also available are eggs, meat, cheese, plants, jewelry, knitted goods, tea, coffee, hot sauces, bread, waffles, honey, and more. *Always in season: Good cheer and great atmosphere at TFM*

Vendors: Beecology, Country Charm Flowers, Great American Lamb Co., Hickory Acre Meats, Good & Raw, Jo Jo’s Pastry Works, KC Coffee Co., Knoble Farms, Lake Erie Creamery, Ms. Julie’s Kitchen, Mom’s Gourmet, Ohio Farm Direct, Perla Homemade Delights, Plant Kingdom Bakery, p’Zazz! Hot Sauces, Rubs and More, Red Basket Farm, Redozo Farm, Riverside Garden, Rock Valley Run, Suzanniehandknits, t. by Sarah, Unforkettable Jewelry and Wonder City Farm.

Music: Mark Olitsky. Here’s what I know about Mark. He lives in Tremont, plays a mean banjo, and at music festivals, his “jamming” card is full…. i.e. everyone wants to jam with him. He can play loud and raucous; he can play soft and sweet. Let’s see what he brings to market on Tuesday!

Kid’s Corner: Usually not in a corner, Camille George will spend a few minutes with your kids to give you a moment to shop. Ever creative, in the past Camille has painted faces, done printing projects with potatoes, and coached hula hooping and more.

Knife Sharpening: Garth Proctor takes the stand this week, tools in hand. Bring your knives, bring your pruners; he sharpens them all!

Environmental Space: Nick Swetye, Special Events Coordinator for Earth Day Coalition.
“Earth Day Coalition provides education, inspires leadership and encourages action for a healthy environment. Earth Day Coalitions year-round programs include: community pollution prevention and sustainable economic development with the Neighborhood Action Program; student leadership development and service learning with the Student Leadership Program; reduced dependence on petroleum with the Clean Transportation Program; air pollution training and monitoring with the Clean Air Program; and EarthFest, Ohio’s largest environmental education event and longest running Earth Day celebration in the United States.”

*WIC, Senior’s Coupons and EBT (Ohio Direction Card) Accepted.

“Some cynics say it’s not even worth the effort, don’t even try; you cannot empower regular people to take charge. But as a friend of mine who has been a pioneer in the organic movement said, ‘Hightower, those who say that it can’t be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.’”
Taken from “Putting ‘Progress’ Back into Progressive, The route to social justice, fair food and a sustainable environment” a talk by Jim Hightower at: Bridge to an Organic Future, the 27th National Pesticide Forum, April 2009, Carrboro, NC. Published in Pesticides and You. News from Beyond Pesticides: Protecting Health and the Environment with Science, Policy & Action, Vol 29, Number 2, Summer 2009, page 9.

Peace,
Jody Lathwell, market manager

Twenty years ago, I started my gardening career. Although a move to Ohio and raising two kids has changed the capacity of my gardening, I realized I HAVE to garden. For so many reasons, but most of all, my sanity. Getting out there to dig, weed, prune and mulch allows me an outlet and space to ruminate and toss around in my head all my troubles. I garden my troubles….well, not quite away, but it certainly allows for me to put some things into perspective. No doubt my husband has learned not to question when I say I’m heading out back! I truly believe that if everyone gardened, even just a tiny bit, our world would be much more peaceful.

Garden and eat well—check out what can be grown in Ohio at TFM this week!

In Season: Apples, watermelon, cantaloupes and peaches. Tomatoes, corn, zucchini, beans, melons, kale, swiss chard, garlic, onions, cucumbers, pickling cucumbers, parsley, basil, squash of many sorts, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, beets, sweet and hot peppers, flowers (edible and not). Also available are eggs, meat, cheese, plants, jewelry, knitted goods, tea, coffee, dog treats, hot sauces, bread, waffles, honey, houseplants and more.

Vendors:Beecology, Country Charm Flowers, Great American Lamb Co.(new wool blankets!), Hickory Acre Meats, Good & Raw, KC Coffee Co., Knoble Farms (sweet corn, peaches, cantaloupe), Lake Erie Creamery (Goat Milk fudge, soap, and Chevre), Ms. Julie’s Kitchen (Apple Cinnamon Waffles), Ohio Farm Direct, Perla Homemade Delights, Plant Kingdom Bakery, p’Zazz! Hot Sauces, Rubs and More, Redozo Farm, Riverside Garden (watermelons!) Rock Valley Run, Sunny’s Tasty Treats, Suzanniehandknits, t. by Sarah, TUFS (Tremont Urban Food System), Unforkettable Jewelry, and Wonder City Farm.

Bicycles! This summer may not have been ideal for tomatoes, but it’s been awesome for biking (except the huge downpours, of course). So, be extra super duper sustainable this Tuesday, and ride your bike to market. There you will find Jim Sheehan of Ohio City Bicycle Coop from 5:30-6:30. Jim says “Come get a free bike check-over, learn some necessary bike skills, and take a quick bike quiz to win essential bike repair supplies!” I first met Jim two years ago when looking for a used bike for my then four year old. Jim taught my son a “balance” method of learning to ride that did not entail training wheels nor a parent running desperately behind a wobbly rider. Watching Colin build his balance and his confidence was amazing, and I swear by this approach. What was also great was how Jim spoke with Colin; very direct and respectful. Something I’ve noticed about my few encounters with Jim is that he treats everyone with respect. Very admirable. So, bring your bike, tell some friends, and make it a market bike rally!

*Support TFM and take a chance to win!*
A fabulous Spice of Life $150 Plated Landscapes Gift Certificate!
Chef Ben Bebenroth is an avid supporter of local foods.
More info: http://www.spiceoflifecaters.com/events_landscape.html
Tickets to be purchased at the market.

Music: Dougas Dostal and Tropical Cleveland will take us on a cruise with Jazz and
Latin music!

Knife Sharpening:
“Knives are the cooks’ oldest tool, the most essential, the most trusted. Their whole purpose is sharing.”
-Michael Symons, “A History of Cooks and Cooking”
Help your knives share. Bring them to Kevin Noon this Tuesday.

Kid’s Corner: with Camille George. Always fun, and easier to shop when your kids are safely occupied.

*Learn more about Local Foods
Attend ‘Our Food in Your Future’ on Sept 19 presented by Innovative Farmers of Ohio. More info: http://www.localfoodcleveland.org/xn/detail/2108592:Event:26263?xg_source=activity

WIC, Senior’s Coupons and EBT accepted.

“Toad ran home. He planted the flower seeds. ‘Now seeds,’ said Toad, ‘start growing.’ Toad walked up and down a few times. The seeds did not grow. Toad put his head close to the ground and said loudly, ‘Now seeds, start growing!’ Toad looked at the ground again. The seeds did not start to grow. Toad put his head to the ground and shouted, ‘NOW SEEDS, START GROWING!’
Frog came running up the path. ‘What is all this noise?’ he asked. ‘My seeds will not grow,’ said Toad. ‘You are shouting too much,’ said Frog. ‘These poor seeds are afraid to grow.’ ‘My seeds are afraid to grow?’ asked Toad. ‘Of course,’ said Frog. ‘Leave them alone for a few days. Let the sun shine on them, let the rain fall on them. Soon your seeds will start to grow.’”
From the story The Garden in Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel

Peace,
Jody Lathwell, market manager
More info:
216-403-9436

Local. Farm. Fresh. Real. Food. Community. Music. Connections.
These words have become ubiquitous in my vocabulary. Boggles me noggin at times. However, on so many levels, I feel connected. There is an aura to the market that has brought together different aspects of my life, and attracted folks from many paths I’ve travelled. A circling back, a union, a fusion. And I gladly observe this happening with others as well. For me, there is a triad of essential components: people, food and music. Every Tuesday, these elements converge at the market. And it makes me happy.

TFM has sparked multitudinous connections. And strikingly, in two very divergent ways: face to face, and through the intangible wavelengths of electricity, i.e. the internet, as I have ventured into the world of social networking to market the market. Grounded on one hand, and flitting through the air on the other.

One important gathering has been between Cleveland independent farmers’ market managers. During the colder months, when we had a smidge bit of time to sit and talk, a handful of us gathered to share ideas. Cooperation rather than competition the goal, all of us striving to support the local food economy. There is a farmers’ market every day of the week in the Cleveland— no excuses not to attend at least one. Look for the Northeast Ohio Independent Farmers’ Market fliers at the community table at TFM.

Connect this Tuesday in Lincoln Park.

In Season: Apples, watermelons, peaches. Tomatoes, corn, zucchini, beans, kale, swiss chard, garlic, onions, cucumbers, pickling cucumbers, parsley, basil, squash of many sorts, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, beets, sweet and hot peppers, flowers (edible and not). Also available are eggs, meat, cheese, plants, tea, coffee, dog treats, hot sauces, bread, waffles, honey, and more.

Vendors:
Beecology (honey and honey-based products), Country Charm Flowers (awesome, beautiful smelling bouquets), Great American Lamb Co. (including warm, wool blankets, one of which I have wrapped around me right now), Hickory Acre Meats (and eggs and more), Good & Raw (really yummy mock tuna), Jo Jo’s Pastry Works (fine pies that are just enough, but not too much, sweet), KC Coffee Co. (really gets me going in the morn), Knoble Farms (sweet corn, cantaloupe, peaches), Lake Erie Creamery (creamy chevre), Mom’s Gourmet (great rubs!), Ms. Julie’s Kitchen (nothin’ like an almond butter and honey sandwhich made with whole grain breads!), Ohio Farm Direct (organic cheese from grass-fed cows), Perla Homemade Delights (authentic pierogies!), Plant Kingdom Bakery (crunchy, yummy snacks), p’Zazz! Hot Sauces, Rubs and More (New!!! & Delicious: Olive and Roasted Garlic Salsa), Red Basket Farm (heirloom tomatoes, fantastic beans and onions, etc), Redozo Farm (delicioso sprouts and baked goods), Riverside Garden (Apples and Watermelons!), Rock Valley Run (great looking succulent plants to take home! as well as some awesome heirloom veggies), Sunny’s Tasty Treats (treats for canine love of your life), t. by Sarah (Teas: Chillax, Sunrise –caffeinated, and Triple Mint), TUFS (Tremont Urban Food System) (the most localist of our vendors—awesome veg grown right here in Tremont!), and Wonder City Farm (some fine lookin’ produce).

Our Guest this week: Marilou Suszko will orchestrate an Heirloom Tomato Tasting. Suszko, author of Farms & Foods of Ohio: From Garden Gate to Dinner Plate will be sharing the delight of fresh, heirloom tomatoes. Please join us to learn more about the fruit/vegetable so prevalent in our diet.

Music: No stranger to Tremont is Alan Madej. Check out this video. Listen in real time at TFM. Music is always best live.

Knife sharpening: Look for the tent with the large (cardboard) Silver Knife and you will find cheerful Garth Proctor and his sharpening tools. From my own personal experience, cooking has become much easier and more efficient since having my knives sharpened.
“An inexpensive sharp knife is worth more in the kitchen than an expensive dull one!”

Kid’s Corner: Camille George. The Fun Sister you’ve always wanted. Come play!

*Sustainable living: Note this date!
Sept 8: Jim Sheehan of Ohio City Bicycle Coop will be at the market. Come get a free bike check-over, learn some necessary bike skills, and take a quick bike quiz to win essential bike repair supplies!

*Local Foods Advocate, Parker Bosley asked me to pass on info about these upcoming seminars:
–On Friday, 18 September at 7:00 pm, OHIO: Our Farms Our Food, sponsored by Innovative Farmers of Ohio, with funding from the Rural Rehabilitation Council of Ohio Department of Agriculture, will present a seminar on meat processing and marketing.
As more and more consumers choose to purchase meat products directly from farmers a system of production, learning about processing and distribution has become more important.
Location: Room 130, Administrative Services Building on the OARDC campus
The seminar is free, but registration is requested. Please contact Megan Shoenfelt:
330-202-3537 or shoefelt.9@osu.edu

–On Saturday, 19 September from 9:00 to 3:00, Innovative Farmers of Ohio will present a seminar for consumers where many food and farming questions will be addressed.
Location: Trinity Commons, Trinity Cathedral 2230 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland 44115. 216-771-4815.
Learn:
How to become an advocate for local foods
How to access Ohio’s abundant sources of local foods
Challenging the school cafeteria
How to become an activist in the policy making of our state government
To register please call The Ohio State University Cooperative Extension Service at 216-429-8211. Your $35 ticket will include a brown bag lunch featuring local food products.

More info about Innovative Farmers of Ohio.

WIC, Senior’s Coupons and EBT (Ohio Direction Card) accepted.

“We animals don’t give plants nearly enough credit. When we want to dismiss a fellow human being as ineffectual or superfluous, we call him a ‘potted plant.’ A ‘vegetable’ is how we refer to a person reduced to utter helplessness, having lost most of the essential tools for getting along in life. Yet plants get along in life just fine, thank you, and did so for millions of years before we came along. True, they lack such abilities as locomotion, the command of tools and fire, the miracles of consciousness and language. To animals like ourselves, these are the tools for living we deem the most ‘advanced’, which is not at all surprising, since they have been the shining destinations of our evolutionary journey thus far. But the next time you’re tempted to celebrate human consciousness as the pinnacle of evolution, stop to consider where you got that idea. Human consciousness. Not exactly an objective source.”
From: “Love & Lies {Orchids}”, by Michael Pollan. National Geographic, September 2009.

Peace,
Jody Lathwell, market manager

Sluuurrrp. I just ate a really juicy peach, and that’s all I have to say today, because real food speaks for itself. Come get yours this week at TFM.

In Season: The first of the apples are in! Tomatoes, corn, zucchini, beans, melons, kale, swiss chard, garlic, onions, cucumbers, pickling cucumbers, parsley, basil, squash of many sorts, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, beets, peaches, sweet and hot peppers, flowers (edible and not). Also available are eggs, meat, cheese, plants, jewelry, knitted goods, tea, coffee, dog treats, hot sauces, bread, waffles, honey, and more.

Vendors:
Beecology, Country Charm Flowers, Gerard Family Farm, Great American Lamb Co., Hickory Acre Meats, Good & Raw, KC Coffee Co., Knoble Farms (sweet corn, peaches), Lake Erie Creamery (Goat Milk fudge, soap, and Chevre), Ms. Julie’s Kitchen (Black Forest Waffles), Ohio Farm Direct, Perla Homemade Delights, Plant Kingdom Bakery, p’Zazz! Hot Sauces, Rubs and More, Red Basket Farm, Redozo Farm, Riverside Garden (apples!), Rock Valley Run (great looking succulent plants to take home!), Sunny’s Tasty Treats, Suzanniehandknits (Lots of new jewelry), t. by Sarah (Teas: Chillax, Sunrise –caffeinated, and Triple Mint), TUFS (Tremont Urban Food System), and Wonder City Farm (swiss chard! Kale! Parsley! Bunching Onions!).

Cooking Demo: Ricardo Sandoval knows real food. Owner chef of three restaurants (Fat Cats, Lava Lounge and Felice Urban Café), Ricardo willingly shares his tricks of the trade. Check out his style, and taste what he makes using fresh food from TFM.

Lawyer in a box: Fatima AbuZahrieh is the most laid back busy person I’ve ever met. She takes time out of her complicated schedule to hang in the park with us, willingly answering any legal questions we might have. Introduce yourself!

Kids Corner: Camille George is back and with a vengeance. She plans to do stamping and printing with our younger crowd.

Dance: Last week, A’Kietha Carey really livened up the market and happily, she’ll be back, this time at 6PM. She invites you to get funky and get fit! At this week’s FREE participatory class, A’Keitha introduces us to CaribFunk, a combination of classical dance technique and traditional African and Caribbean movement. This class exhibits culture, tradition, funk and fusion. It is pulsating, percussive and rhythmic. A’Keitha teaches weekly classes at Studio 11 in Tremont.

Music: The South Side Blues Band, featuring Cleveland guitar wizard Danny
McFadden.

Knife sharpening: This week is Kevin Noon’s turn. Bring all things dull to him, he’ll return them better than new.

Upcoming attractions! Remember these dates:
Sept 1: Heirloom Tomato Tasting with Marilou Suszko, champion of local food. She is a “foodwriter and author of Farms & Foods of Ohio: From Garden Gate to Dinner Plate, a culinary instructor, and a frequent guest speaker.” Check out her website: http://mariloususzko.com/ and make sure you come to meet her at TFM!

Sept 8: Jim Sheehan of Ohio City Bicycle Coop will be at the market. Come get a free bike check-over, learn some necessary bike skills, and take a quick bike quiz to win essential bike repair supplies!

WIC, Senior’s Coupons and EBT (Ohio Direction Card) accepted.

“Artists are visionaries. We routinely practice a form of faith, seeing clearly and moving toward a creative goal that shimmers in the distance——often visible to us, but invisible to those around us. Difficult as it is to remember, it is our work that creates the market, not the market that creates our work. Art is an act of faith, and we practice practicing it. Sometimes we are called on pilgrimages on its behalf and, like many pilgrims, we doubt the call even as we answer it. But answer we do.”
From The Artist’s Way. A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity. By Julie Cameron.

Peace,
Jody Lathwell, market manager

I’m all about food, I guess that’s pretty clear by now. But I wanted to spend a moment to highlight a few of our non-food vendors. Suzanne Kohring Reich, (market code name: SuzannieHandknits, Etc.) is a very talented woman. She displays her beautiful jewelry very artistically, and is probably one of the most organized people I know. But what I really want to tell you about is the bag she made for me to use at the market. Not being a purse kinda gal (I started carrying one after having kids, when I had to have ID, etc on me at all times….and various sundry things you have to carry when you have little kids), I realized I needed one for my market duties. Ah, ha, I thought. I’ll check out Suzanne’s felted wool bags….. and here’s what happened. I gave her a rough size, just by showing her with my hands, asked her to feel free to be creative with the design (no pink, though), and in ONE WEEK, she presented me with the PERFECT bag. I display it at the market weekly, and it makes me very happy, because it really is what I desired, and it’s beautiful to boot. Very sharp, indeed.

Which leads me to my next topic: knife sharpening. Being a market manager often presents me with interesting scenarios. Well, one week, I received an email from a knife sharpener wanting to participate in the market. Very cool. Don’t you know it, a few days later, I got another email with the same request, different guy. Never heard a word from knife sharpeners last year! Anyhow, that is how we got to know Garth Proctor and Kevin Noon. Guys of the same trade, with their own unique style, they’ve been a great addition to the market. They alternate weeks; this week is Garth’s turn. He sharpened my loppers for me, and pruning is vastly easier, and consequently, more fun. Last week, Kevin sharpened for me a knife, pruners and fingernail clippers. I’m getting spoiled—with ease I chopped onions, garlic and tomatoes— I did not realize how blunt my knife had gotten. Ah, the joy of sharpened tools! You can sure bet I’ll be bringing something dull to market this week!

Check out the latest recipes sent in by TFM vendors in our Recipes section.

In Season: tomatoes, corn, zucchini, beans, melons, kale, swiss chard, garlic, onions, cucumbers, pickling cucumbers, parsley, basil, squash of many sorts, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, beets, peaches, sweet and hot peppers, flowers (edible and not). Yumminess.

Vendors:
Beecology, Country Charm Flowers, Gerard Family Farm, Great American Lamb Co., Hickory Acre Meats, Good & Raw, Jo Jo’s Pastry Works, KC Coffee Co., Knoble Farms (sweet corn, peaches), Lake Erie Creamery (Goat Milk fudge, soap, and Chevre), Ms. Julie’s Kitchen, Mom’s Gourmet, Ohio Farm Direct, Perla Homemade Delights, Plant Kingdom Bakery (Organic Ohio Spelt Hempy Raisin Bread), p’Zazz! Hot Sauces, Rubs and More, Red Basket Farm, Redozo Farm, Riverside Garden, Rock Valley Run, Sunny’s Tasty Treats, Suzanniehandknits (Lots of new jewelry), t. by Sarah (Teas: Chillax, Sunrise –caffeinated, and Triple Mint), TUFS: Tremont Urban Food System, Ultimate Brownies (Buy 10 brownies, get ONE FREE), and Wonder City Farm (swiss chard! Kale! Parsley! Bunching Onions!).

Music: Trepanning Trio as defined on Facebook is an instrumental avant-chamber ensemble named for a surgery in which a hole is drilled into the human skull. Cave paintings indicate that people believed the practice would cure seizures, migraines, and mental disorders by letting evil spirits escape. Interesting description, but I have listened to their music on MySpace, and we are in for a treat. A ten musician ensemble will provide the market with plenty of atmosphere!

Dance/Fitness: From 6-7pm: Zumba class. From Studio 11, A’Keitha Carey invites market goers to get funky and get fit! Come and participate in her FREE exercise and dance demonstrations.

Zumba fuses hypnotic latin rhythms and easy to follow moves to create a dynamic fitness program that uses interval training.

Knife Sharpening: Garth Proctor!
“An inexpensive sharp knife is worth more in the kitchen than an expensive dull one!”

WIC will be at the market to distribute coupons. Last time they were with us, a line formed at their tent, and we were glad to have reached so many folks. To clarify, there is no need to line up to enter the market.

Senior’s Coupons and EBT (Ohio Direction Card) also accepted.

“There is a harmony that is almost tangible in the fields at this time of year, and that arrives with the ripening of fruit on plants seeded in the greenhouse four months earlier. It is a predictable result of shared labor and appreciation for that labor, but I cannot describe the quality at the source —which is energetic, the by-product of plants respiring. I am reminded of a curious poem by Robert Frost, inscribed on a plaque facing a Vermont field beside the narrow Middlebury River: ‘We dance round in a ring and suppose/ But the Secret sits in the middle and knows’”
From: This Common Ground. Seasons on an Organic Farm, by Scott Chaskey

Peace,
Jody Lathwell, market manager

Something really cool happened last week. After market teardown, one of our devoted market volunteers, Camille, spotted a cicada on the tree behind our tent that had just emerged and molted its skin. To remind you, and to fill in those just starting to read my blog, last week I wrote about my fondness for the summer sound of cicadas. An amazing coincidence? Maybe…..

Back to food. In our busy lives, we have to prioritize. For me, having a spic and span house is not on top of the list. Why worry about it when we need to take advantage of warm weather and be outside! But food, that’s another matter. I love food, and I love yummy, nutritious food, so I cook a lot. Nothing fancy, in fact, most of what I make is quite simple. I believe if you start with quality ingredients, the tastes of the veggies themselves are a treat. This past week, I made a great soup featuring almost entirely local ingredients. (The true taste test is whether my kids will eat it— and they gobbled this soup up). Check out the new ‘Recipes’ section—please feel free to send in your favorite recipe using local ingredients and I will post it on the site. Here is what the soup highlights: Red russet potatoes and carrots from Wonder City Farm; beautiful onions from Red Basket Farm; sweet corn from Knoble Farm; rosemary, sage and beets from my garden; butter and milk from Hartzler’s (Wooster, Ohio). I garnished the soup with lentil sprouts from Redozo Farm and taste-bud dazzler Crazzy Coyote Fury Hot Sauce from p’Zazz! (skipped the hot sauce for my kids—it’s awesomely hot, and a little bit goes a long way!)
See you at the market!

What’s in season: Maybe a few blueberries! Peaches. Summer squash, kale of various kinds, swiss chard, lettuce, greens, carrots, beets, potatoes, onions, cabbage, broccoli, parsley, basil, zucchini, tomatoes, garlic, sweet and hot peppers, and muches of mores.

The Voluminous Vendors: Beecology, EcoVillage Produce, Gerard Family Farm, Great American Lamb Co., Hickory Acre Meats, In the Raw Café, Jo Jo’s Pastry Works, KC Coffee Co., Knoble Farms (sweet corn, varieties of hot and sweet peppers), Lake Erie Creamery, Ms. Julie’s Kitchen, Ohio Farm Direct, Perla Homemade Delights, Plant Kingdom Bakery, p’Zazz! Hot Sauces, Rubs and More, Red Basket Farm, Redozo Farm (peanut sprouts), Riverside Garden, Rock Valley Run, Sunny’s Tasty Treats, Suzanniehandknits, Ultimate Brownies and Wonder City Farm.

Music: Jon Mosey juggles instruments and musical styles like a circus pro, “making noise on various instruments”. He plays fantastic Piedmont Blues guitar and a wide range of traditional music. You don’t want to miss his performance!

Kids Corner: Camille is always full of surprises! Come play!

Mind/body health: From Tremont’s own Studio 11: Tiiu and Shakthi—-they demonstrated some incredible moves last week. But do not be intimidated, they are gentle folks willing to tailor a market stretch to your individual needs. Footloose and fancy free! Test out yoga and Pilates for free.

Knife Sharpening: To those who arrived last week bearing knives, come back! Look for Kevin Noon donning his hat, shuffling sharpeners. Kitchen knives, scissors, garden tools (pruners, loppers, edgers etc.)— he can do them all, and amuse you with a tale to boot. “An inexpensive sharp knife is worth more in the kitchen than an expensive dull one!”

Lawyer in a box: A mere quarter will get some legal advice from Fatima AbuZahrieh. Look for Lawyer Lucy of the Market!

Bags: Sue Coy is selling market bags to help fund recycling efforts in Tremont.

WIC, Senior’s Coupons and EBT (SNAP) accepted.

Jody Lathwell, market manager

We have drifted into August, and I await the serenade of cicadas, nostalgic for the lazy summer afternoons of my childhood. Heard a few last week, but they seem to be late this year, maybe because of our cooler weather. This relates to the market, how? Get to know a farmer, you will realize that insects are part of their job, both beneficial and destructive. Determining Arthropodic friend versus foe is essential (and that healthy soils and plants are the best defense against damage). This allows me to segue into insect identification, as I’d like to introduce one of my favorite websites: “What’s That Bug?” (www.whatsthatbug.com)
I get lost in this website. I discovered it when we were new to our house and experienced the first annual influx of flying ants on our back porch. My husband ran screaming for a can of insecticide, freaking out that our new house might have termites. Not ready to poison my own atmosphere frivolously, I tied Jim down, and did a bit of internet research to discover that ants and termites are quite different anatomically. “What’s that Bug?” features multitudes of photos for identification purposes, posted both by the site hosts and by individuals who send in pictures and questions. The moral of this story is to remember that insects are an integral part of the complex balance in our interdependent worlds: Think before you swat.

What’s in season: Blueberries and peaches; tomatoes are rolling in! beets, carrots, onions, mesclun mixes, yellow squash, zucchini, cabbage, loads o’ beans, basil, parsley, broccoli, garlic, peppers, potatoes, kale, swiss chard, lettuce, collard greens, cucumbers and corn. What have I forgotten? I know there’s more……
Also available: free range, organic eggs, beef, lamb, sausages and more; organic cheese, goat cheese, pierogies, brownies, vegan baked goods, organic & whole grain breads; honey and honey products, cut flowers, plants for the garden and house, pies of all sorts; rubs, hot sauces and salsas; coffee, tea, and bath salts; dog biscuits!

Our Tremondous Vendors: (highlights in parentheses) Beecology (sulfate-free shampoo), Country Charm Flowers, Gerard Family Farm, Great American Lamb Co., Hickory Acre Meats (ground chuck), In the Raw Café (Rawsome Burger: nut/seed & veggie patty w/avocado, sprouts & tomato & living pickle on the side), Jo Jo’s Pastry Works, KC Coffee Co., Knoble Farms (peaches), Lake Erie Creamery, Mom’s Gourmet, Ms. Julie’s Kitchen (peach waffles), Ohio Farm Direct, Perla Homemade Delights, Plant Kingdom Bakery, p’Zazz! Hot Sauces, Rubs and More, Red Basket Farm, Redozo Farm, Riverside Garden, Rock Valley Run, Sunny’s Tasty Treats (KaCee’s Choice Beef Jerky, made with lean ground round—NO MSG or preservatives (these are dog treats, but sound good enough for two-leggeds), t. by Sarah, TUFS, Ultimate Brownies and Wonder City Farm.

Music: Locals Corissa Bragg and Lauren Voss will take turns at the microphone. Dueling vocalists. Not really, these gals get along well, and will share graciously. We give a special market bow to Corissa, who helped with the first several seasons of TFM by scheduling musicians. Welcome back, Corissa!

Kids Corner: Face illustrations by Camille George. Maybe she’ll bring her hoops again!

Mind/body health: From Tremont’s own Studio 11: Tiiu will teach Pilates from 4:30-6pm & Shakthi will teach yoga from 6-7:30pm. Sessions start on every half hour. Classes free and spontaneous!

Knife Sharpening: Look for Garth Proctor and his sidekick Paul Podnar: comedians of the blades; sharp knives+sharp wits. Bring your kitchen knives, scissors, garden tools (pruners, loppers, edgers etc.) and any other items which can benefit from being sharp. Items brought to the market are usually returned finished to you at the end of your visit. Special cases can be taken to the shop, and returned the following week.
“An inexpensive sharp knife is worth more in the kitchen than an expensive dull one!”

WIC, Senior’s Coupons and EBT (Ohio Direction Card) accepted.

“Trot with the turkey. Leap with the frog.
Take another spin with the barnyard dog.
Turn with the cow in a patch of clover.
All take a bow, and the dance is over.
With an OINK and a MOO and a QUACK QUACK QUACK,
the dance is done, but we’ll be back!”
Taken from Barnyard Dance! By Sandra Boynton

A piece of peace for you.
Jody Lathwell, market manager

My slightly older, but much wiser sister commented on my Facebook updates last week, stating that had I not been so cavalier about the market continuing in inclement weather, maybe we would not have been hit so hard. And were we ever! The storm blew in fast, drenching visitors and vendors, demolishing quite a few tents due to high winds and the weight of the water that was building up quickly in the canopies. Imagine having such power to affect the universe so greatly. Is it possible I could influence the weather? If so, I’d like to know how to harness that power; there are many things I’d like to change for the positive! Anyone out there able to facilitate in developing my intuitive abilities? Feel free to contact me, telepathically or otherwise.

Seriously, I’d like to thank everyone who jumped right in and helped in any way they could. In particular, there was one fellow, a visitor to the market, who helped drag tents out of W.14th Street. Whoever you are, you have our devoted appreciation. Thanks also to the folks from WIC and market volunteers Trent Boerner, Marc Dorsey and John Briggs for everything.

Please make up for last week’s interrupted market. Maybe this is a good week to stock up and preserve for the winter. Freeze some blueberries, pickle some beets? Homemade pesto in January! Pesto freezes very well. Enjoy the taste of summer in the wilds of winter.

What’s in season: Bountiful blueberries! Scrumptious summer squash, kopious kale, sassy swiss chard, lovely lettuce, gregarious greens, a cacophony of carrots, beetiful beets, promising potatoes, oogles of onions, catches of cabbage, bold broccoli, perky parsley, bashful (not) basil, zesty zucchini, tantalizing tomatoes, gorgeous garlic, and muches of mores.

The Hardy Vendors: Beecology, Country Charm Flowers, Gerard Family Farm, Great American Lamb Co., Hickory Acre Meats, In the Raw Café, Jo Jo’s Pastry Works, KC Coffee Co., Knoble Farms, Lake Erie Creamery, Mom’s Gourmet, Ms. Julie’s Kitchen, Ohio Farm Direct, Perla Homemade Delights, Plant Kingdom Bakery, p’Zazz! Hot Sauces, Rubs and More, Red Basket Farm, Redozo Farm, Riverside Garden, Rock Valley Run, Rose Ridge Farm, Sunny’s Tasty Treats, Suzanniehandknits, Ultimate Brownies and Wonder City Farm.

Chef Demo: Ricardo, Ricardo, Ricardo. Need I say more? Of course. For those unfamiliar with him, Ricardo Sandoval is now my favorite chef. I know, I’m not supposed to play favorites. However, not only has he been a great support to the market, he is just incredibly talented, and despite it all, the sweetest person. So come meet him! At 5:30, the owner of Fat Cats, Lava Lounge and Felice’s Urban Café will strut his kitchen stuff, and offer samples from his creation.

Raffle: Up to this point, we have been very low-key about it all, but we are holding a fund-raising raffle, and FINALLY, the drawing will be this Tuesday at 7:15. It’s not necessary to be present, and all the money raised will go directly into running the market. Being raffled: a gift certificate to Fat Cats! $1=1 ticket; $5=6 tickets. For sale at the Community Info Tent. Support TFM!

Music: Chris Eppley and Just Folkin’ Around: teacher by day, musician by night! Witness the magical transformation.

Kids Corner: Rumor has it that Camille will be bringing hula hoops.

Mind/body health: From Tremont’s own Studio 11: Tiiu will teach Pilates from 4:30-6pm & Shakthi will teach yoga from 6-7:30pm. Sessions start on every half hour. Classes free and spontaneous!

Knife Sharpening: For Kevin Noon’s debut at TFM, let’s hope the sparks come from his work and not from the sky! Bring your kitchen knives, scissors, garden tools (pruners, loppers, edgers etc.) and any other items which can benefit from being sharp. Items brought to the market are usually returned finished to you at the end of your visit. Special cases can be taken to the shop, and returned the following week.
“An inexpensive sharp knife is worth more in the kitchen than an expensive dull one!”

Lawyer in a box: Being nagged by a legal technicality? Look for Fatima, market lawyer of the year: a quarter for her thoughts.

Bags: Sue Coy is selling market bags to help fund recycling efforts in Tremont.

WIC, Senior’s Coupons and EBT (SNAP) accepted.

“In ev’ry job that must be done
There is an element of fun
you find the fun and snap!
The job’s a game”
From the song A Spoonful of Sugar, in the movie Mary Poppins
Written by: Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman

Peace,
Jody Lathwell, market manager
I know these blogs are getting treacherously long. Someday I might surprise you with just two words. How to sum it all up in just two simple words. Hmmm…..

My Delight of Summer is a sandwich. Fresh tomato and basil, cheese and Lemonaise on dense, whole grain toast. That was dinner Friday night, with the first farmers’ market tomatoes of the season (alas, my own tomatoes are not yet red). So good. Bedtime for my two kids was split that night, my oldest staying downstairs for a snack whilst my youngest and I read books. Lo and behold, Colin wanders upstairs, telling me he had another sandwich. My child, known to pronounce to the entire universe that he hates tomatoes—- ATE THE TOMATOES! Not only that, he said “The sandwich was the highlight of my day”. I nearly fell over. Ah, ha! My theory works; just keep putting those veggies in front of my kids, they will eventually eat them! Mitchell, my youngest, who would not go near raspberries last year, is eating all within his grasp. Success again!

What’s in season and available at the market: Blueberries, potatoes, onions, lettuce, kale, greens of all sorts, kohlrabi, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, garlic, beans, summer squash, zucchini, cucumbers, corn and tomatoes, basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, sage. Also free range, organic eggs, organic grass-fed beef, lamb, sausages and more; organic cheese, goat cheese, pierogies, brownies, vegan baked goods, fresh pasta, organic & whole grain breads; honey and honey products, cut flowers, plants for the garden and house, pies of all sorts; rubs, hot sauces and salsas; coffee, tea, and bath salts; dog biscuits! And more; the season is in full swing. So many choices!

Vendors: Beecology, Country Charm Flowers, Gerard Family Farm, Great American Lamb Company, Hickory Acres Meats, In the Raw Café, Jo Jo’s Pastry Works, KC Coffee Co, Knoble Farms, Lake Erie Creamery, Mom’s Gourmet, Ms. Julie’s Kitchen, Ohio City Pasta, Ohio Farm Direct, Perla Homemade Delights, Plant Kingdom Bakery, p’Zazz! Hot Sauces, Red Basket Farm, Redozo Farm, Riverside Garden , Rock Valley Run, Rose Ridge Farm, Sunny’s Tasty Treats, t. by Sarah, Ultimate Brownies, Wonder City Farm.

Music: The Uncanny Xela! Alex Alvarez was first brought to my attention last summer, and since listening to his music on MySpace: I know you won’t be disappointed!

Environmental Space: Nancy Hughes is the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Compost & Recycling Coordinator. She will be available to answer any questions. I want to learn more about ZooPoo!

*Knife sharpening: Introducing Garth Proctor and Kevin Noon: “We are Garth and Kevin (the one with the Hat), and we sharpen kitchen knives, scissors, garden tools (pruners, loppers, edgers etc.) and a surprising number of other items which can benefit from being sharp. Please allow us to make your cooking, sewing and gardening experiences all the more productive, enjoyable and user friendly with our service. Items brought to the market are usually returned finished to you at the end of your visit. Special cases can be taken to our shop, and returned the following week.”
Garth and Kevin will be at the market on alternating weeks: This Tuesday, look for Garth.
“An inexpensive sharp knife is worth more in the kitchen than an expensive dull one!”

Kid’s Corner: Calling all kids! Come get your face painted!

Lawyer in a box: One certainly cannot box Fatima AbuZahrieh in! But, she’ll answer general legal questions for a mere 25 cents.

Bags: Sue Coy is selling market bags to help fund recycling efforts in Tremont.

*WIC: Will be at the market to distribute Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupons

*Yoga; “Get inspired to live healthy with Studio 11 teachers through short demos, Q&A, and practice.” Tiiu will teach Pilates from 4:30-6pm & Shakthi will teach yoga from 6-7:30pm . Sessions start on every half hour. Classes free!

Food donations: Can be made at the Community/Information Tent and will be delivered to local Hunger Centers.

WIC, Senior’s Coupons, and EBT accepted.

“The basis of good cookery is the kitchen garden, for without it the chef is nothing. The hoe is merely a tool of the kitchen. Yet how many cooks are trained to know that moment when the ice bean has reached perfection, or when the Musselburgh leek is most succulent? These are not plastic-wrapped vegetables of the supermarket, long ago suffocated in the stale air of transport trucks. These are the fruits of flavor brought to high intensity by freshness and the blush of natural perfection.”
Taken from Heirloom Vegetable Gardening, by William Woys Weaver

Peace,
Jody Lathwell, market manager