Celebrate Independence Day With Durham Farmers' Market

With Independence Day upon us, Durham Farmers' Market urges the community to celebrate with foods from small, independent family farms and business. In order to be successful, local, independent farmers are dependent on those of us who have chosen to eat local and fresh food.  So, in a sense, we are interdependent on one another.  Our local food system in North Carolina is strong for two reasons: first, there are wonderful, hardworking farmers and second, there is a strong, supportive community of eaters who buy local products. One could not exist without the other.

And please, remember to vote in the America's Favorite Farmers' Market Contest. Show your Durham love and appreciation for independent farmers by voting HERE.

Fresh this Week
Fruit:  Melons, Peaches, Blueberries, Dewberries, Blackberries, Rasperries
Vegetables:  Field tomatoes, Arugula, Beans (green, yellow, Roma, filet, purple), Beets, Carrots, Chinese Cabbage, Cabbage, Cherry Tomatoes, Corn, Collards,  Cucumbers,  Dandelion Greens, Eggplant, Garlic,  Green Onions, Herbs (Basil, Cilantro Oregano, Parsley, Dill, Chives, Mint),  Kale, Lambs Quarter, Leeks, Lettuce,  Okra, Onions, Pea Shoots, Peppers (sweet, hot, Padron), Potatoes, Salad Mix, Shallots, Swiss Chard,  Summer Squash,  Tomatillos, Tomatoes (red and green),  Zucchini
Flowers:  Agrostemma, Asiatic Lillies, Campanula, Dahlia, Delphiniums, Lisianthus, Snap Dragon, Sunflowers, Zinnia
Meats:  Beef, Bison, Chicken, Duck, Goat/Chevon, Lamb, Pork
And:  Honey, Chicken and Duck Eggs, Flour, Yellow & White Cornmeal, Grits, Pecans, Wines, Fresh and Aged Goats and Cows Milk Cheeses, Baked Goods, Pasta, Beer, Wine, Jams, Jellies, Pickles, Preserves, Handmade Chocolates, Wool, Landscaping Plants and Vegetable Transplants
Crafts:  Handmade Clothes & Jewelery, Baskets, Pottery, Photographs, Soaps and much more...

Pollinator Day at Durham Farmers' Market

Pollinator Day at the Market 
Saturday June 25th
Join the Durham County Master Gardener Volunteers and their friends the Master Beekeepers to learn how honey is made. The Master Gardeners will have information about attracting pollinators to your garden.  Look for them under the White tent on the Central Lawn.

 
Chef in the Market, Andy Magowan, Geer Street Garden
June 25th, 10am
Andy Magowan, formerly from Piedmont is now chef and owner of the new restaurant, Geer Street Garden.  Andy will join us on June 25th with a taste of his Geer Street Garden.

Free Yoga in the Park
For more info about Yoga in the Park, check out their blog.

The 2011 America's Favorite Farmers' Market Contest sponsored by the American Farmland Trust has started. Show your support and vote here.


Fresh this Week
Fruit:  Melons, Cantaloupe, Peaches, Blueberries, Dewberries, Blackberries, Loganberries, Black Raspberries and Strawberries
Vegetables:  Corn, Arugula, Beets, Braising Greens, Chinese Cabbage, Cabbage, Cherry Tomatoes, Collards,  Cucumbers,  Dandelion Greens, Eggplant, Fava Beans, Fennel, Garlic, Green Beans, Green Onions, Herbs (Basil, Oregano, Parsley, Dill, Chives, Mint),  Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, Radishes, Okra, Onions, Pea Shoots, Peppers, Potatoes, Roma Beans, Salad Mix, Swiss Chard,  Summer Squash, Greenhouse Tomatoes,  Turnip Greens, Zucchini
Flowers:  Agrostemma, Asiatic Lillies, Campanula, Dahlia, Delphiniums, Larkspur, Lisianthus, Snap Dragon, Sunflowers, Zinnia
Meats: Beef, Bison, Chicken, Duck, Goat/Chevon, Lamb, Pork
And: Honey, Chicken and Duck Eggs, Flour, Yellow & White Cornmeal, Grits, Pecans, Wines, Fresh and Aged Goats and Cows Milk Cheeses, Baked Goods, Pasta, Beer, Wine, Jams, Jellies, Pickles, Preserves, Handmade Chocolates, Wool, Landscaping Plants and Vegetable Transplants
Crafts: Handmade Clothes & Jewelery, Baskets, Pottery, Photographs and Soaps

Fresh from Durham Farmers' Market

When it is stiflingly hot outside, look to Durham Farmers' Markets farmers for the best tricks for staying cool.  In the heat of Wednesday Market, Renee Clayton of Wild Scallions Farm and Judy Lessler of Harland's Creek Farm shared their favorite cold, refreshing salads. 

Cold Cucumber Salad
Cucumber(s)
Salt
Sugar

Slice the cucumbers very thinly.  Sprinkle them with some salt and some sugar.  Mix it around and let it sit in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes to let the cucumbers start to sweat.  Optional: chop up a a few mint leaves and sprinkled them on top.


Crunchy Kohlrabi Salad
Kohlrabi
Red Wine Vinegar
Salt

Peel the kohlrabi and slice it up.  Sprinkle with a little bit of salt, enough to let it start to sweat.  Shake some red wine vinegar onto it and enjoy!


The warm days (and warm nights) mean summer crops are kicking into high gear. New fruits and vegetables include: Loganberries, Black Raspberries, Blackberries, Dewberries, Blueberries, Cherry Tomatoes, Okra, Basil,  Bell Peppers, and every type of summer squash imaginable.


Remember to show your Durham love and VOTE for Durham Farmers' Market for the 2011 America's Favorite Farmers' Market Contest sponsored by the American Farmland Trust.