Wait to See Just How Sweet Summer Will Be | May 29, 2023

Fresh & Local:

Wait to See Just How Sweet Summer Will Be

Blueberry season is upon us, even if we don’t see as many as usual. This season has been hard on many producers. The early spring caused blueberry bushes and peach trees to flower early, but when an unusually late-season freeze covered the region at the end of March, they were exposed and damaged. We predict a near-complete blueberry loss and we are still waiting to see if we will get any peaches this year. Only time will tell the further impacts on crops that typically arrive later in summer like persimmons and figs.

Johndale Farm is able to bring a small blueberry crop to market and Poché Family Farm may have some as well. Also, while vendors typically must grow or make all of the products they bring to the Crescent City Farmers Market, vendors are permitted to sell another producer’s goods during special circumstances such as these. Though we may not see our usual fruit vendors at market in the same capacity as we are accustomed to, some vendors may bring neighboring farmers’ crops to market. If you’re at market and see these fruits, grab ‘em while you can! We may have a short run of fresh, raw blueberries this summer but there are plenty of blueberry products available, like tea, jam, popsicles and more!

Picks of the Week:

Marketeers Meetup

Join us for our next Marketeers Meet Up on June 4 at the Sunday City Park Market! For the next activity, kids will color CCFM Marketeers bandannas with fabric markers! The bandannas are theirs to keep to have cover from the summer sun! If you know some kids who would love to join in, bring them along! The more friends, the more fun! We’ll meet up at the More than a Market Tent. Aged out of the Marketeers Club? Join in the fun as a volunteer. Click here to sign up to help facilitate the market activity.

Marketeers Kid’s Club is a free membership program for market-goers under the age of 12. Marketeers get to participate in special market activities every month and receive a special $5 market token of appreciation during their birthday month! To join in the fun, enroll your kids in the Marketeers Club by completing this membership form.

Volunteer at Market in June!

Do you like to spend time at the Crescent City Farmers Market? Are you interested in helping facilitate our programs and activities? We would love to have you volunteer with us! There are several fun volunteer opportunities at CCFM, including counting visitor foot traffic, recording customer behavior, and helping out with Marketeers Club for Kids. Shifts are available at each market location on June 11th, 13th, and 15th. Volunteer with Market Umbrella to learn more about our work and get involved with the CCFM community. Click here to sign up to volunteer.

Sign up for the Next
Market Match Cooking Class

The next Market Match Cooking Class takes place next Tuesday, June 6 from 5:30 – 7:30. This free hands-on cooking series features seasonal produce that can be bought at market. With our Market Match program, shoppers who use EBT at market receive a dollar-for-dollar match to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. Thanks to the Goldring Center for Culinary Medicine for partnering with Market Umbrella to offer this opportunity to learn kitchen techniques while stretching food dollars through Market Match! To sign up for a free Market Match Cooking Class, fill out this interest form.

Learn to Compost Day
with Market Umbrella

Today is “Learn to Compost Day.” At Market Umbrella, we are big fans of compost because it returns nutrients to our soil, reduces erosion, improves plant health, and reduces our reliance on landfills! Our New Vendor Support Manager, Stacy Hall is excited to share about her Bokashi composting system:

“I recently discovered Bokashi style composting and I love it! Bokashi is a Japanese word meaning “fermented organic matter.” This composting style was developed in the early 1980s by Dr. Truro Higa, a professor at the University of Ryukyus, Okinawa in Japan. The Method involves layering all kitchen scraps (not just vegetables and fruits, but meat and dairy scraps as well) with a Bokashi inoculant in a special bucket. Usually, this inoculant consists of either wheat germ, wheat bran, or sawdust combined with molasses and effective microorganisms (EM). The bran/molasses feeds the microorganisms, which are the same natural microorganisms found in soil. It is an anaerobic process, so the lid stays on tight to prevent oxygen from entering. The best part is the “tea” byproduct, which I drain off every couple of days and dilute to water my plants. You can buy a kit or fashion your own set-up. I have been buying the inoculant, but have plans to make my own.”

Vendor of the Week:

Sam Sprouts

Sam Sprouts is a small farm that produces a variety of cleaned, dehulled, spin dried and carefully packaged hydroponic sprouts, fresh cut varieties of microgreens, and seasonal produce. Sam started growing sprouts in his kitchen 14 years ago. He fell in love with the process of growing and harvesting. He has now been in business for a decade and grows at least an acre or two of gardens every year. Sam has a passion for helping people and aims to inspire new young farmers in the industry. You can find Sam at the Sunday City Park market. Be sure to stop by!

Recipe of the Week:

Super Greens Sandwich

Microgreens are SUPERfoods! This means they are nutrient dense, so you only need to eat a little bit to receive healthy benefits. Microgreens are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants to give your immune system a boost. The fiber aids in digestion and can help you feel fuller longer. This sandwich has only a few ingredients but the microgreens bring the flavor to the next level with nutty and earthy tones. This quick and easy lunch is crunchy, cool, and packs a nutrient punch.

What’s your favorite dish to make after visiting the Crescent City Farmers Market? Share your recipes with us on Instagram or Facebook and it might be featured in our weekly newsletter!