Countryside 
Farmers' Markets
  Howe Meadow              Highland Square
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Countryside
Farmers' Market
E-News
May 25, 2011
In This Issue
Market Report
Market Happenings
Upcoming Events
Market Recipe
No Dogs at the Market, Please
 

Market Dates

 
Howe Meadow
4040 Riverview Road
Saturdays,
9am until Noon
May 14 - October 29

Highland Square
W Market St. & Conger Ave
Wednesdays, 4-7pm
June 1 - September 28

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Countryside Conservancy
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About the
Countryside Conservancy
Countryside Farmers' Markets are producer-only markets managed by the Countryside Conservancy.
The Countryside Conservancy supports community-based food systems through its four program areas of farmland, farmers, food and community. Read more about the Countryside Conservancy...
 

About our Market Partners

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the partner for our Saturday morning market at its new Howe Meadow location.  Established in 1974 as a National Recreation Area, the park received National Park status in 2000.  Cuyahoga Valley National Park is also Countryside Conservancy's partner for the Countryside Initiative program, which offers long-term leases of farms within the National Park boundaries.  For more information on Cuyahoga Valley National Park visit their website.  For more information on the Countryside Initiative click here. 

Assorted Winter Squash


Dear Market Supporter,
 
I was lucky enough to be able to visit Portland, Oregon last week- a bit of a local-foods mecca for many. I attended (along with about 600 others from across the country) Community Food Security Coalition's "From Neighborhood to Nation" Food Policy Conference. The conference was the first of its kind nationally, and I was able to gain some insights on how best to focus our energies locally to affect policy changes for improved nutrition & infrastructure, as well as information on advocating for national policy changes. A nice sized group from Northeast Ohio was in attendance, and I think we all returned energized and ready to put some of our gleaned ideas into practice.

While the conference was worth the trip (and the red-eye return home) what really made the entire adventure inspiring were the visits to Portland Farmers Markets while I was there.  I was able to visit the Shemanski market on Wednesday during the day, as well as the Saturday PSU market, which has no fewer than three times as many vendors as our largest market. 

While I didn't really feel that in terms of quality products they had any sort of leg up on us (our producers are second to none!) there were a couple of striking things about the markets.  Clearly their value added producers are a few years ahead of us- pickles everywhere, of every kind from your standard pickles to multiple varieties of kimchee; two charcuterie vendors (YUM!).  There were also mushrooms galore- I managed to snag an Oregon truffle, which unfortunately managed to stink up my room while in town.  The other thing that was interesting was the sheer number of certified organic producers, and the scale of their operations. Finally, the amount of customers coming through the markets (800,000 in 2010!) and the general acceptance in town that supporting local farmers is important was really inspiring.

I was lucky and feel grateful that the Market Managers and the Executive Director took time out of their busy schedules to talk with me and share their experiences.  In the process, they made me feel sane, and reinforced my belief that we're on the right track here. I hope you all feel the same! 

See you at the market,
Beth Knorr
Market Manager
  
PS - Because the lower parking fields are still saturated, we will be repeating the parking pattern from last week. Watch for our friendly parking volunteers in the bright orange vests and they will direct you to the most convenient, mud-free spot possible!
 

Market Report

  
 Basil Plantvegetable & herb plant starts ~ radishes ~ knife sharpening ~ gourmet brownies ~ apple cider ~ fresh chicken ~ Siberian Night Beer Cheese ~ dahlia roots ~ grass fed beef ~ unseasoned ground pork ~ apples ~ Wine Cheese ~ watercress ~ beets ~ ready-to-eat salads ~ spinach ~ breakfast burritos ~ honey ~ gladiola bulbs~ turnips ~ quinoa tabbouleh ~ arugula ~ pierogies ~ lily plants ~ jam ~ cornish game hens ~ spinach ~ fresh eggs ~ stained glass ~ over 20 varieties of croissants ~ smoked ham lunchmeat ~ asparagus Rhubarb~ rhubarb ~ hot coffee and beans ~ hanging flower baskets ~ Orange A Peel ~ vegan waffles made with local spelt & oats ~ brewed & loose tea ~ carrots ~ bison ~ flower bouquets ~ fresh baked bread ~ and much more!
  
  
photos courtesy of George Remington

Market Happenings

Brian Doyle will be demonstrating some delightful spring recipes at the demo booth in the center of the market.  Stop by to taste what he's come up with!

 

Brett Gordon and Frank Krygowski will be dishing up traditional Irish and American tunes on fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle, and squeeze box.  Bring your instrument and sit in for a tune, or just show your appreciation with a small tip!

 

Can you recycle your breakfast burrito wrapper?  Are those coffee stirrers compostable?  Find out the answers to these burning questions and more at the Waste Not booth and do your part to cut down on trash!


Upcoming Events:

For more information on Countryside Conservancy events, visit our website.   


Rhubarb Streusel Muffins

from SmittenKitchen.com  

I made these muffins this week with rhubarb from the market and declared them the best muffins in the history of muffins.  Hope you enjoy!  -Heather

 

** Denotes an ingredient available at the market! 

 

Streusel

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup white whole wheat flour

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

3 tablespoons light or dark brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

pinch of nutmeg

pinch of salt

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

 

Muffin

1 large egg**

1/4 cup light or dark brown sugar

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled to lukewarm

3/4 cup sour cream

1 cup white whole wheat flour

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup diced rhubarb, in 1/2-in pieces**

 

Preheat oven to 375 F.  Butter 12 muffin cups.

 

Make streusel:  In a small dish, stir together flours, sugars, spices, and salt.  Stir in butter until crumbly.  Set aside.

 

Make muffins:  Whisk egg in the bottom of a large bowl with both sugars.  Whisk in butter, then sour cream.  In a separate bowl, mix together flours, baking powder and baking soda and stir them into the sour cream mixtue, mixing until just combined and still a bit lumpy.  Fold in rhubarb and 1/3 of the streusel mixture.

 

Divide batter among prepared muffin cups.  Sprinkle each muffin with remaining streusel, then use a spoon to gently press the crumbs into the batter so that they adhere.  Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until tops are golden and a tester inserted into the center of muffins comes out clean.  Rest muffins in pan on cooling rack for two minutes, then remove muffins from tin to cool them completely.


Dog Policy

While we love our four-legged friends, dogs are not permitted at the Countryside Farmers' Markets.  They are, however, permitted to play at Howe Meadow, walk on the towpath or elsewhere in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, but must remain on a leash at all times.