Since launching the "Name Our Newsletter" contest last month we have received quite a few excellent suggestions for this publication.

It's not too late to send your suggestions though!

If you haven't already done so, we're asking that you take a few brief moments to enter this contest and offer your suggestions.

CLICK HERE for details and to enter.

The person who submits the winning suggestion will receive 50 "Market Bucks" which can be used to purchase products from any of our vendors while visiting the Market during the 2011 season.

This contest closes on Monday, March 21, 2011. The winning entry will be chosen by the Caledon Farmers' Market Advisory Committee.

We have started receiving Vendor Registrations for the third season of the Caledon Farmers' Market, which will start on Thursday, June 16, 2011 and run each Thursday (rain or shine) until October 6, 2011.

Our Vendor Handbook and Vendor Registration Package have also been updated and are available for download on the Market's webpage at: www.caledon.ca/farmersmarket.

Whether you are a past vendor of the Caledon Farmers' Market, or would like to become a new vendor in 2011, you are encouraged to submit your completed registration form as soon as possible.

Even though the start of the 2011 Caledon Farmers' Market season is still a few months away, have been posting lots of interesting information about the Market on our Facebook Profile page.

You are encouraged to visit often to learn about upcoming special events, recipes, previews of vendors and much more.

While the return of spring is cause for celebration, it is a difficult time of year to find fresh local ingredients, as many fruits and vegetables are at least a month or more away. However, there are a few tasty spring treasures that show themselves almost as soon as the snow melts.

Included in this special group is Asparagus - and there are very few things that taste more like spring than fresh local asparagus. So, watch your local grocery stores and markets for it because its season is short and its always in high demand.

The following recipe for Asparagus Stuffed Baked Potatoes is a delectable addition to any spring dish. 

Ingredients:

• 4 medium sized baking potatoes
• 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon onion salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 pound fresh cooked asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces (Click HERE for cooking tips) 
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 2 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

1. Bake potatoes at 400°F for about 1 hour or until fully cooked.
2. Cut a thin slice off the top of each potato and carefully scoop out pulp while leaving shell intact.
3. In a mixing bowl, mash pulp with milk, sour cream, onion salt and pepper until smooth.
4. Fold in asparagus.
5. Stuff shells with mixture and place in an ungreased shallow baking dish.
6. Sprinkle with cheese and bacon.
7. Return to the oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through.

 This recipe makes four (4) servings.

NOTE: Potatoes can be substituted with Sweet Potatoes, if you so desire.

In cold countries like Canada, spring is typically the most anticipated season of the year because it (usually) means that warmer weather is soon to follow.

Mesopotamia (Modern-day Iraq)

Akitu was a spring festival in ancient Mesopotamia. The name is from the Sumerian for "barley", originally marking two festivals celebrating the beginning of each of the two half-years of the Sumerian calendar, marking the sowing of barley in autumn and the cutting of barley in spring. A portion of the harvested barley was fermented and used to make an early form of beer - which no doubt contributed to the celebratory mood.

India

Holi, or Phagwah, is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon of the lunar month Falgun (February/March). It is the most vibrant festival of colours celebrated by Hindus in India. People throw water and coloured powders at each other.

Vietnam
The Vietnamese traditionally celebrate the New Year in late January or early February which is traditionally considered as the beginning of Spring. The lunar calendar is used mainly to divide the year into seasons for agriculture purposes. In the old days, the celebration used to last the entire month of January of the lunar calendar and firecrackers are used on "New Year's Eve" (đêm giao thừa in Vietnamese) to scare away bad spirits and souls.