This Week - July 24 - At the WCGM!

Spending summer Saturdays at the West Chester Growers Market is a beautiful thing. Last Saturday, Hubby and I meandered around The Market with Little Chica. Now that Little Chica is almost 2 (in 2 weeks!), we've been attempting to walk around The Market sans stroller. If you have visited the WCGM at all this season, you will have noticed the increased traffic in the Market parking lot. I thought this might make Little Chica either overwhelmed or totally wired. But, it turns out, she loves the sights and sounds of The Market! She points out pretty flowers, names fruits, and is overjoyed when she sees a doggie. It makes walking around from vendor to vendor more fun and less stressful! For any Market Goers with kids, I'm sure you understand!

With North Star Orchard making their first appearence, we made sure to hit up their stand. I managed to snag some yellow peaches (which are currently in a Crisp I baked last night. Do I even need to write that it is DELISH? Thanks to awesome farm fresh peaches?), as well as some tiny plums. Lovely! Want to know how to pick a peach? Check out this blog post from North Star Orchard for helpful tips: http://northstarorchard.com/blog/2010/07/19/how-to-pick-a-peach/

Paul, our Market Director, talked to me about heirloom potatoes. I left with a bag full of beautiful variety of small heirloom potatoes: tan, brown and purple! I will be making them into a side dish this week - and I will be sure to let you know how it turns out!

Lastly, Hubby and I each tried an Iced Tea from Pureblend Tea. I stepped out of my comfort zone and sipped the Iced Matcha Tea latte, which was unique and tasty. Hubby tried the Iced Black Tea with strawberries and nettles. Both were delightful! When it's so hot, nothing feels better than to sip an Iced Tea around the Market!

I love that even though July is almost through, and the end of Summer is almost in sight, there are plenty more Markets to attend over the next few months. Don't forget next week's ICE CREAM SOCIAL! Free Ice Cream? YES PLEASE!

This week, there will be plenty to try, buy and enjoy! Here are some notes from a few of our vendors (to be updated as I hear from more vendors!):



Lindenhof Farm will be there with lots of fresh chicken, eggs, fresh turkey. This week also expect some fresh lamb items like, loin chops, rib chops, boneless leg of lamb, lamb cubes, shanks and ground lamb. Lots of beef steaks, patties and sauages for the outdoor grilling will be available.

North Star Orchard will have yellow and white peaches, awesome nectarines, some plums and apples. Plus, some assorted veggies such as Swiss chard and perhaps a few heirloom tomatoes.


Ellen from Ellen April Handcrafted Soap says, "I'm looking forward to being back at the market Saturday. I missed everyone. I'll be bringing a wide variety of soaps This week along with our wide selection of luxury soaps we'll be bringing some "orphans and uglies" priced to sell fast. We'll also have cooling hydrofoil sprays...perfect for these hot hot hot summer days!"

Bryer Apiary will have a great harvest of honey at the Market tomorrow! Be sure to stock up and add a little sweetness in your life :)



Another great Saturday - you won't want to miss it! And don't forget to VOTE for the WCGM as your FAVORITE MARKET (and spread the word!)

I'll see YOU at the Market!

WCGM in the news!

We love it when our Market gets a little press :) Here we are mentioned in an article from Lancaster Farming:

http://lancasterfarming.com/node/3056

Check it out!

This Week - July 17- at the WCGM!

I have to make a confession: I did not make it to the Market last weekend. Despite the rain, I wanted to go. I would have braved the rain. But one of our cars was having battery issues, and my daughter had a slight fever. All signs pointed to "stay at home." So I was pretty bummed. And I missed out on good stuff! I am glad the forecast is SUNNY for tomorrow!

Luckily, many others forged ahead and faithfully attended last Saturday's Market. Since I have no commentary from last weekend, I thought I'd share some of their comments (which answers the question I posed, "What did you find at the Market on Saturday?"):

~~~~~

"New this week @ the market- lots of umbrellas,soggy dollar bills , and soaked vendors. Thanks to all the vendors for showing up on such a rain-soaked morning. Appreciate it"

"Onions, green beans, good staples."

"Happy Farmers due to the rain!"

"rain=daddy keeping 2yo home=more time for me to get to know the vendors!"

(From our own Ellen Watson of Ellen April's Handcrafted Soaps) "We didn’t make the market today, but the rain wasn’t the main reason. My daughter-in-law went into labor this morning and I stayed with my son drove her to the hospital and our newest grandson James was born. He’s grandchild #8. Ellen April Soap will be back at the market next week with our selection of soap and bath products."

"My 2 and 4 year old kids, my wife, and I donned rain coats and boots and we struck out to jump in puddles and check out the market. We bought zucchini, yellow squash, blueberries, peaches, rosemary, cilantro, basil, chocolate and cheese croissants, and sunshine bread!"

"Rain didn't stop us from buying honey whole wheat bread, spinach feta loaf, two bagettes, & two apple strudels from Big Sky Bread! We also picked up a baker's dozen of white corn that was so tender and sweet, and some other fresh veggies. Yummy!"

"We were there! It was POURING rain when we got there, but all the vendors seemed to be in good spirits. The crowd wasn't huge, but those that were there buzzed around, glad for the shelter of a tent while they purchased their goodies. We got: lettuce, tomatoes, corn and some pepper plants!"

~~~~~

It was so amazing to hear the feedback, and even more encouraging to know that our Faithful Market Goers are hearty enough that a little bit of torrential down-pouring won't hold them back from a good Market morning!

This week, our vendors have plenty to share! Here are some Vendor Updates for tomorrow:

~ Big News! North Star Orchard will start attending the market this Saturday! Stop by and say hi to Jay; he'll be bringing lusciously sweet and juicy yellow and white peaches, two or three kinds of plums, and the first crunchy and juicy apples of the year!

~ Pureblend Tea has some great Iced Lattes lined up for thirsty Market Goers. ICED MATCHA LATTE w/ ALMOND MILK & ICED VANILLA CHAI LATTE w/ RICE MILK - These are both dairy and lactose free iced lattes made with Pureblend Matcha Tea and Pureblend Vanilla Chai. Of course there are always two hand blended fresh brewed iced teas and a variety of loose leaf teas sold by the ounce available for purchase from Pureblend as well.

~ Ellen April handcrafted Soaps will be bringing a full variety of soap to the market this week. It will be the last chance this year to purchase our Alex's Lemonade Stand charity soap with your full purchase price going to this worthwhile organization. We also still have a few bars of Earth Day soap and 50% of your purchase price of this soap will be donated to the National Wildlife Federation's Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund.

~ Axel Linde, from Lindenhof Farm, had a farming accident recently. Please keep him in your thoughts as he recovers. Family and friends will be running his stand the next few weeks in his stead, and there will still be meat to purchase at the Market!

Some other news:

~ Paul, the Market Director, would like to announce that there was a sum of money lost (and found) at last week's Market. If you have lost a sum of money, please email wcgm.blog@gmail.com or see Paul (Maple Hill Farm) tomorrow.

~ Due to the rain last week, the Fishing Derby is POSTPONED (not cancelled!)! Keep an eye out for the new date. Popsicles will be in attendance during the Derby as originally planned.

With so much going on, and so much great produce, you don't want to miss a second! So head to the Market, grab your Iced Tea Latte, and start shopping!

I'll see YOU at the Market!

This Weekend - July 10 - at the WCGM!

Market Goers enjoyed a great Market last weekend for the Independence Day holiday. Hubby and Little Chica stayed behind while I walked around the Market. It was H-O-T, but despite the heat, the Market was in full swing. People were picking up flowers for picnic table center pieces, and lots of meat and produce for BBQ recipes. I only wish I could visit each party, sampling a bit of the fresh and local meals that were created for special guests!

One way the Market celebrated the holiday was to have Face Painting for the kiddos. Check out the artist below, as well as the finished sample of her work!










My happiest purchase was a large bunch of beautiful peaches from Fahnstock's Fruit Farm. I stopped in on my way out of the Market, and the gorgeous orange, red and yellow caught my eye. I couldn't help but buy 10 little spheres to take home and bake with! I wasn't too sad about the price either - under $5! Hubby can attest that those peaches went to a delectable Peach Pie, of which there is only one remaining piece sitting in our fridge. I can only attribute the equisite taste to how fresh (and local) the produce was!






This weekend will be equally eventful. For returning Market Goers, the WCGM will be hosting their annual Children's Fishing Derby (no fish, of course, will be harmed during the derby. Nor will they be real :)). So if you have a Little Market Goer, give them a chance to reel in some fun! Free popsicles for all!







As Summer is settling in for a while, we can expect more fruit. The Market has already bestowed upon us blueberries, strawberries (which will be making their exit, if they haven't already), blackberries, cherries and peaches. There will be more to come, with Asian Pears hopefully making an apperance in a few weeks! New vegetables will be entering the Market as well (for a better idea of "What's in Season," check out the What's Fresh Guide).

The Porters from Chile Spot want to note, "We will have some additional mid-season pepper plants available (Big Jim - the largest chile pepper grown in the southwest and ideal for roasting and our long awaited Serrano peppers, both of which still have time to reach maturity). We'll also be featuring our full line of pepper jams, sauces, salsa, pickeled and dry peppers."



Check back for more Vendor Updates!

I'll see YOU at the Market!

This Weekend - July 3 - at the WCGM!

Hello Faithful Market Goers! You may have noticed my absence over the last week. I apologize - things here for this blogger got a bit crazy, as my husband and I bought a house and moved over the course of a few days. I was sad to miss out on my usual stroll through the Saturday Market, and was remiss in posting (although it was expected). I'm sure you understand.

What a great way to usher in a new post but with a holiday weekend! It is almost Independance Day, and this weekend brings many things to be excited about: National History, good food, time with family and friends, and, of course, a super fun West Chester Growers Market!

While we intially had Sno Cones on the schedule for the weekend, we will now be having Face Painting for the kids instead. Kids can come by the painting station to have a flag painted on their cheek - a great way of showing their pride in the holiday weekend! The weather looks perfect for Saturday, and with many BBQ's on the schedule, it's best you stop by and pick up all the food you need to entertain your guests!

Here are notes from a few of our vendors:


Ellen April Handcrafted Soap will again be bringing charity soaps. Buy a bar of Lemon Fizz, and 100% of the selling price of this soap will be donated to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation to fight against childhood cancer. Buy a bar of Earth Day soap, and 50% of the selling price will be donated to the National Wildlife Federation's Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund. Get clean and feel GOOD about it!


Red Earth Farm will be featuring gorgeous fragrant Oriental Lily and Sunflower bouquets!


Lindenhof Farm will be bringing, for the first time this summer, ground turkey! You might also catch a few young turkey wings and drumsticks, perfect for the grill. This week, the lamb is fresh with many options for the grill: chops, cubes, ground and bonless leg of lamb. Steaks, sausages, kielbasa and chicken (whole, breasts, thighs and drumsticks) will be there as well. So many BBQ opportunities!


Check back before you head to the Market for more vendor updates. In the meantime, get your shopping lists ready, and prepare yourself for the Holiday Weekend!

I'll see YOU at the Market!

Photos from the 2010 Father's Day Pie Eating Contest

The 2010 Annual Father's Day Pie Eating Contest was a complete success! The crowd was huge, the excitement was amazing, and the pie was flying!

Thanks to Faithful Market Goer Ray Sachs for taking AMESOME pictures of the event! If you want to view the pictures, head over HERE!

Here are some highlights...

Contestants preparing for battle

The anxious crowd awaits

Paul, our Market Director, proudly looks on

This year's winner! Congrats!

And just for fun and because I can: my husband. He's a cutie :)

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR Blog Post Series (Parts I and II)

Lisa, from North Star Orchard, is writing a 3-part blog series about prices and shopping at Farmer's Markets. If you are a Faithful Market Goer or Market Doubter, head over to the North Star Orchard Blog and begin reading the intriguing series! Hopefully it will make for some good community discussion!

Click here to read Part I

Click here to read Part II - discussing meats and cheese pricing