Weekly Market Report 4/9/10
Welcome to the Portland Farmers Market Blog (be sure to bookmark the site). In our never-ending quest to promote conversation about local foods and the agricultural heroes and small business people who make local foods happen, we are excited to have a new space to share ideas and information. Big thanks to blog contributor Jen Stevenson of Wordcake and the Market’s Mona Johnson and uber-volunteer/blogger-in-residence, Allison Jones.
A more formal thank you to Tricia Butler of Sassafras Catering for sponsoring our contest this week: lucky participants from the twitterverse and Facebook will each take home a bottle of Sunchoke Relish due to their crafty ability to describe the veg also known as Jerusalem Artichoke in 7 words or less. Gardenstatechef tweeted – sunchokes: the original nut-covered caramel apple flavor. On Facebook, Market fan Veronica won with – roasted, fried or raw: knobby, nutty goodness. Special hint – pay attention to where vendors are located and items priced under $2. Tote bag and baked goods await the keenly observant.
In keeping with the tradition of April being the cruelest month, April is also National Poetry Month and PFM offers you a chance to mix your own lilacs with despair or dirt with ‘Get Growing Portland’. Every Saturday in April, Portland Nursery is giving away potting soil to help your plants get a good start in life. Tomorrow, Growing Gardens volunteers will be filling containers and dispensing advice. And if dirt isn’t exciting enough for you, the Food Alliance Scavenger Hunt, happens at the Market tomorrow – stalk a radish for fun.
French Prairie Perennials will be selling the type of stock that can be potted. Asparagus, Philleo has Asparagus. Asparagus and smoked salmon and/or sable go together really well -The Smokery has both (say hi to Lisa Jacob’s mom). But you can’t go wrong with Asparagus and beef – Highland Oak will be at Saturday’s Market selling grass-fed beef: A Yorkshire Pudding and you have a meal worthy of Dickens. Loibl Farm has pretty, pretty flowers, Nut-tricious foods offers something other than the same old peanut butter and Fraga Farms has their award-winning cheeses.
Musically, the lines are again divided along the North-South. Going for the north, Free Choir – hits the stage between 9-10. Followed by The Underscore Orkestra at 11. On the South Stage, which looks north, The Gordon Neal Herman Trio will be entertaining people waiting for a Pine State Reggie, if the line is too long Via Chicago has made pizza a socially acceptable breakfast food by adding egg and pancetta. Nick Peterson closes out the day between 1-2.
