Masthead3

Issue 8 | September 2010
In This Issue
Plenty to Do, See & Sample at the Caledon Farmers' Market
Contest Winners Announced
Find us on Facebook
Market Vendor Bios
Featured Recipe - Applesauce
Did You Know??
Cash, Credit or Interac
Plenty to Do, See & Sample at the Caledon Farmers' Market
The Caledon Farmers' Market is a fantastic way to find and sample a variety of healthy foods while supporting local growers, producers and artisans.  
 
Caledon Farmers' Market Logo
Our food vendors feature high quality products that represent the best of the season, including: fruit, vegetables, lamb, beef and cured meats, honey, baked goods, chocolate products, herbs and plants. 
 
Our artisan vendors offer an intriguing range of wares ~ from clothing to unique glasswork and one-of-a-kind jewellery.
  
Shoppers are welcome every Thursday between 3:00 and 7:00pm until October 7.
 
The Country BoysActivities for Thursday, September 23 
(NOTE: The Market will be on the soccer field on this day only)
  • Apple sauce canning demonstration and samples
  • Tips for canning and preserving the local harvest
  • Apple Print Name Cards and Face-painting in the Kids' Tent
  • Live Music by the Caledon Country Boys
 Activities for Thursday, September 30
  • Book Signing and Cooking Demo by Stacey Fokas, local author of Freshalicious
  • Paper Bag Scarecrows in the Kids' Tent
  • Live Music
For more information visit www.caledon.ca/farmersmarket
Contest Winners Announced
Congratulations to Marina G. of Caledon and Michelle H. of Brampton for being selected as the winners in our random draw for two Caledon Farmers' Market Gift Baskets!
 
Each basket is worth over $100 and is filled with many of the 'goodies' available at the Market, including: artisanal soap, plants, chocolate, unique pottery, and certificates for purchases from many of our fantastic food vendors. 
 
The winners will also receive a stylish Caledon Farmers' Market apron and a jar of pasta sauce - made fresh at the Market.
 
Thank you to all who entered this contest, and please stay tuned for coming events and opportunities which will be announced in upcoming issues of this e-newsletter and on the Caledon Farmers' Market Facebook page. (See link in the next section below.)
Find the Caledon Farmers' Market on Facebook

Find us on Facebook graphicFor up-to-date information regarding the Farmers' Market, produce in season, special events, entertainment and more follow us on Facebook.

To visit our Facebook Profile page click HERE.
Vendors at the Caledon Farmers' Market

Whether food or crafts, at the Caledon Farmers' Market we are fortunate to have vendors selling the highest quality products. In each newsletter we'll feature three of our vendors.

Lori's Friendly Pastry (http://lorisfriendlypastry.weebly.com)
 
Lori's Friendly PastryLori is one of our newest Market vendors and she offers delectable gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, soy-free vegan pastries.
 
Here is her story, in her own words...
In 2007, I discovered that not only was I allergic to wheat, dairy, eggs, and soy, but an assortment of other foods as well, like flax, coconut, cane sugar and almonds, just to name a few. 

When I looked for snacks that were safe for me to eat, I found many gluten-free and vegan products but most of them still contained ingredients to which I was also allergic.

So, I created my own recipes, and motto: "When life gives you lemons, make zesty shortbread!"
When friends with and without food allergies alike enjoyed my shortbreads and tarts as much as I did, I knew Lori's Friendly Pastry was something I wanted to share.  I hope you like it too!
 
Bead BashMaria Grieco started Bead Bash last year as an artistic outlet and this year has been a regular vendor at the Caledon Farmers' Market, where she displays and sells hand-crafted jewellery children and adults alike.
 
In her own words...
Visit my booth for a wide selection of ladies beaded jewellery, featuring sterling silver, Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, vintage brass and semi-precious beads like turquoise, onyx, coral, citrine, amethyst, peridot, garnet and much, much more. 
 
Aspiring young jewellery designers can try their hand at one of my "Make Your Own" bracelet stations.
 
To contact Marie call 289-651-BEAD(2323)
 
Leitch's Honey (www.leitchshoney.com)
 
Leitch's Honey Logo"It's addictive.  Looking after bees is something that gets into your blood" says Randy Leitch, proprietor of Leitch's Honey.
 
His own love affair began at a 4-H Club 35 years ago, and today he manages some 250 hives throughout Caledon and Dufferin. Each hive has a possible yield of 100-150 pounds of honey, so yes, he is a "buzzy" bee-keeper!
 
Did you know that there are more than 300 flavours and shades of honey? That's right. Flower nectar, the sweet liquid gathered by bees, determines the honey's flavour and colour. In general the darker the honey, the more bold the taste.
 
Passionate about the health benefits of hive products, Randy advises that "a spoonful of honey before bed helps ensure sleep and nourishes the brain."
Featured Recipe - Applesauce
Applesauce 
(recipe courtesy of Eat Local Caledon)
 
Applesauce is a simple yet nutritious food that has been around almost as long as apples have been cultivated. It can be enjoyed on its own, as a condiment to accompany other foods or as a substitute ingredient for eggs and/or oils and fats in baking. 
 
Below are preparation instructions for making applesauce for immediate consumption and for canning.
 
Recipe for a batch of homemade applesauce
Applesauce in bowlIngredients:
  • 6 apples
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup sugar (optional)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Preparation:
  1. Core, peel, and slice the apples. There exists a wonderful peeler/corer/slicer that makes this process incredibly fast.
  2. Boil the apples and water in a pot for 15 to 20 minutes until soft.  For chunky applesauce, mash with a potato masher; for smoother applesauce purée with a food processor.
  3. Gradually add cinnamon and sugar to taste. The exact amount depends on personal preference and the natural sweetness of the apples used, so add slowly and taste before each addition. Some apples may require no added sugar at all.
  4. Place in a container and refrigerate for use within a week or so.
Applesauce for Canning
To make a large batch and can several jars of applesauce for future use, quadruple (or more!) the recipe and follow the canning directions below.
 
Required Equipment:
  • Mason jars and lids
  • Applesauce - CannedLarge pot with tall sides
  • Canning tongs
  • Canning funnel
  • Clean napkin or cloth
  • Plastic Knife
Plan to can the applesauce immediately after making it, when the applesauce is still hot. Putting cold jars in boiling water will cause them to burst.
 
Preparation:
  1. Wash the jars and lids in hot soapy water.  Let dry.
  2. Fit the funnel into the lids of the jars and fill within 1/2" of the top.
  3. Swipe around the inner edges with the plastic knife to remove air bubbles.
  4. Wipe rims of jars clean, screw on the lids, and use the tongs to place the jars in the boiling water. The water level should be an inch or so higher than the jars. Boil for 20 minutes.
  5. Remove the jars with tongs and allow them to cool. The lids will usually give an audible "pop" as they vacuum seal.
  6. After all jars have cooled, remove rings and press on the lids. Any that have not sealed may be re-canned or placed in the refrigerator to eat immediately.
Did You Know?
The apple is perhaps the most common cultivated fruit in the world which has left its mark in literature and mythology across many cultures throughout the ages. 
 
Here are a few apple facts that will help give you a more rounded understanding (pun intended) of the world's favourite fruit.
  • The apple tree is a member of the rose family (Rosaceae)
  • The apple tree originated in Western Asia, where its wild ancestor is still found today.
  • There are more than 7,500 known varieties of apples, resulting in a range of characteristics, including: size, colour, flavour and texture. 
  • The center of diversity of the apple is in eastern Turkey.
  • The apple tree was perhaps the earliest tree to be cultivated, and its fruits have been improved through selection over thousands of years.
  • Apples were brought to North America with colonists in the 17th century, and the first apple orchard on the North American continent was said to be near Boston in 1625.
  • Guinness World Records reports that the heaviest apple known weighed 1.849 kg (4 lb 1 oz) and was grown in Hirosaki city, Japan in 2005.
  • The proverb "An apple a day keeps the doctor away.", addressing the health effects of the fruit, dates from the 19th century Wales. Research suggests that apples may reduce the risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer.
  • Apples on the GroundCompared to many other fruits and vegetables, apples contain relatively low amounts of vitamin C, but are a rich source of other antioxidant compounds.
  • Apples may also help prevent heart disease, assist in weight loss, and in controlling blood cholesterol levels.
  • In contrast to the apple's many health benefits, apple seeds are mildly poisonous, containing a small amount of amygdalin. The dosage per apple is usually not enough to be dangerous to humans, but it can deter birds.
Cash, Credit & Interac Options Available at the Market

Some of our vendors, particularly those that you may want to make a substantial purchase from, are now offering alternatives to paying cash.

Visa MastercardBert Nieuwenhuis - lamb (VISA & MasterCard)
Speers Farms - beef (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, & Interac)
Arthur Greenhouses - plant material and vegetables (VISA & MasterCard)
 
We continue to promote cash transactions, as most of our vendors can only accept cash.
However, if you are interested in making a purchase of the products listed above, there are other payment options.
Town of Caledon, Economic Development Department