Happy National Farmers’ Market Week!

Highlights from Last Week’s Market: 

What’s for Sale at the Market Today:

• Hand-painted Flower Pots by Nallely Barón
• Fruit Cobblers from Cinfully Cinnamons
• Blueberries from Mitchell Farms at the Growing Matters Garden booth
• Blueberry Vanilla Jam from Bilberry Jams and Jellies
• Key Lime Pie Granola from Kahoona’s Kitchen
• Peach Ice Tea and Spicy Caramel Corn from Mz Marilyn
• Chocolate No-Bake Cookies from Shae’s Tasty Treats
• 25% off Ribs from Village Fresh Pick
• Kale and Tomatoes from Habonim Camp Tavor

National Farmers’ Market Week:
Since 2001 the number of farmers’ market has grown approximately 170% from 2,863 to more than 7,800 in 2012. Thanks for supporting our market by purchasing locally produced goods. We couldn’t do it without you! 

Read and Seed Activities:
From 3:30 to 4:30 this week kids are invited to learn about Seedfolks by Paul Fleishman by acting it out with “readers’ theater”. Those who participate will recieve a free juice box. Additional discussion of the book will take place between 5:00 and 6:30 at the Douglass Community Garden. This is part of the People’s Food Co-op’s Read and Seed Program.

Rain or Shine- the Market is open today!

Highlights from Last Week’s Market: 

What’s for Sale at the Market Today:

• Tomatoes from Bonamego Farm
• Coca Cola Chocolate Cakes from Cinfully Cinnamons
• Onions from the Growing Matters Garden
• Kale from Habonim Camp Tavor
• Pesticide-free Blueberries from Mitchell Farm at the Fair Food Matters booth
• Strawberry Marmalade from Hungry Diva Pantry (last chance this week!)
• Homemade Baked Goods from Mz Marilyn
• Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies from Shae’s Tasty Treats

Conversations about race, food, and the community:
Kalamazoo College senior Maddie Baxter (an intern with Fair Food Matters this summer) is looking for members of the Northside and Douglas Neighborhoods interested in sharing their perspective on the role of farmers markets and gardens in Kalamazoo. Interviews will be face to face, approximately 30 minutes long and will touch on topics of race, food access, and community within the context of Kalamazoo. If you are interested in participating, feel free to call Maddie at 479-422-5154 or e-mail at K09MB04@kzoo.edu.

Meet the Fresh Food Fairy

Highlights from Last Week’s Market:

What You’ll See at the Market Today:

• Handmade Head Bands by Nallely Barón
• Tomatoes and Melons from Bonamego Farm
• Zucchini Bread from Cinfully Cinnamons
• Cucumbers from the Growing Matters Garden
• Blueberries from Mitchell Farm (at the Fair Food Matters booth)
• Kale and Swiss Chard from Habonim Camp Tavor
• Homemade Baked Goods from Iboni Rootz
• Turtle Cookies from Mz Marilyn
• Rice Crispy Treats from Shae’s Tasty Treats

Special Events Today:

Chef Demo

Hether Frayer (a.k.a. the Fresh Food Fairy) will be on site with her blender bicycle making fresh smoothies all market long. Click here to see her in action!

Kids Activities
Kids are invited to participate in readings of Seedfolks by Paul Fleishman and respond to the book’s ideas with drawings and words. Those who complete a Seedfolks reflection will receive a free bag of popcorn. This is part of the People’s Food Co-op’s Read and Seed Program. Stay tuned for additional Read and Seed Educational Activities on August 7!

After the Market
Join Zee Ford and Chris Broadbent from the People’s Food Co-op inside the Powell Branch Library at 6:30pm for “Healthful Soul Food,” a cooking demonstration with a few surprising twists. For more information, please click here.

Blueberries are back!

What’s for Sale at the Market Today:

• Handmade Wood Crafts by Nallely Barón
• Okra and Corn from Bonamego Farm
• Gourmet Pie Pan Cookies from Cinfully Cinnamons
• Dried Meats from Dublin Jerky
• Free Samples of Cool Cucumber Soup from the Growing Matters Garden
• Strawberry Rhubarb Jam from Hungry Diva Pantry
• Mini Cheesecakes from Iboni Rootz 
• Ice Cold Drinks from Mz Marilyn
• M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies from Shae’s Tasty Treats

Special Event Next Week- Chef Demo (Tues, July 24)
Hether Frayer (a.k.a. the Fresh Food Fairy) will be on site with her blender bicycle making fresh smoothies all market long. Click here to see a video of Hether in action. Kids are invited to listen to readings of Seedfolks by Paul Fleishman and respond to the book’s ideas with their drawings and words. Kids who complete a Seedfolks reflection will receive a free bag of popcorn. This is part of the People’s Food Coop’s Read and Seed Program- click here to learn more.

Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes Today

Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes staff will be available at the market today between 3-6pm to assist people with their application for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, otherwise known as SNAP or EBT. This is an essential step for eligible customers who want to earn free Double Up Food Bucks tokens to increase their fruit and veggie buying power!

Today’s Vendor Highlights:

• Okra and Corn from Bonamego Farm
• Fruit Cobblers from Cinfully Cinnamons
• Dried Meats from Dublin Jerky
• Homemade Cakes by Flying on the Wings of Change
• Silk Flowers by Juliette’s Arrangements
• Fresh Herbs from the Growing Matters Garden
• Strawberry Jam from Bilberry Jams and Jellies
• Afrocentric Colored Pencil Drawings from Iboni Rootz
• Ice Cold Tea from Mz Marilyn
• Granola Bites from Kahoona’s Kitchen
• M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies from Shae’s Tasty Treats
• Pulled Pork Sandwiches from The Rib Cage

Celebrate Local Food for the 4th of July

At the Market Today:

• Handmade Beaded Jewelry by Anna’s by Design
• Fresh Melons from Bonamego Farm
• Fruit Cobblers from Cinfully Cinnamons
• Dried Meats from Dublin Jerky
• Homemade Cakes by Flying on the Wings of Change
• Silk Flowers by Juliette’s Arrangements
• “Water with a Cool Kick” from the Growing Matters Garden
• Baby Mustard Greens from Heron Homestead
• Homemade Jams from Hungry Diva Pantry
• Famous Cookies from Mz Marilyn
• Sugar Free Oatmeal Cookies from Shae’s Tasty Treats
• Pulled Pork Sandwiches from The Rib Cage
• Kale from Village Fresh Pick

Highlights from last week’s market:

Visit the Information Booth for:

• Free face painting with purchase
• Special gifts for Bridge Card holders (new items each week!)
• Free gifts for all customers who complete a written survey
• Info about using Bridge Cards/EBT, Double Up Food Bucks, WIC/Senior Project FRESH coupons, and Read and Seed Market Bucks at our market

Drum and Dance at the Douglass Farmers’ Market this week

Come down to the market this Tuesday, June 26, and enjoy the rhythm of Dunuya Drum and Dance group. Feel like dancing? Please join in!

Dunuya Drum and Dance is a global drumming collective presenting music of (West) Africa and the Diaspora (including Cuba, the Caribbean, North Africa, and Brazil). Visit their Facebook page by clicking here.