September markets are here and we are thinking about the last couple of months of twice weekly markets in the parking lot. Mother Nature has kept us guessing this year, but the outlook for markets has been favorable. August markets remained full of produce (lots of vendors, lots of customers) right through the end of the month and we are looking forward to a wide variety of options in September, as well.
This month we began planning for our fourth season of Indoor Winter Markets. The Farmers Market series of classes through Community Connections has some great courses coming up. Check out our Winter Gardening and Build Your Own High Tunnel classes and maybe you can become a part of winter markets, as well. We are always looking for more vendors to grow our year-round produce offerings.
Because we are able to support these courses with funds from the Emil Babinger Charitable Trust, we are able to offer them at very little cost to you. Please take advantage of these opportunities to gain some inspiration and new ideas.
Those classes are detailed below in this newsletter, as well as on the website.
See you at the market!
Tracy Simmons
Market Manager
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Thanks to the market's lead sponsor
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Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Vouchers Still Available -- must be spent by October 15
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The majority of produce vendors at the Emporia Farmers Market participate in the state of Kansas, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
SFMNP vouchers may be used to purchase local, fresh produce at farmers markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture (CSA) programs. EFM vendors who are certified to accept SFMNP checks will display a poster at their stall stating "Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Checks Accepted Here."
If you are an eligible senior who has not yet picked up your vouchers, please do so soon. Lyon County ECKAN reports that they still have vouchers distribute.
Please Contact:
Angela Marcotte, ECKAN
Lyon County Coordinator
616 Merchant
620-342-4607
[email protected]
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Zouplna Garden Tour
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Tony and Linda Zouplna have been familiar faces at the Emporia Farmers Market for several years now, but this year they came on board as vendors. Tony attended the Farmers Market 101 course via Community Connections in January and started attending the market as a vendor this summer. Read more about the Zouplnas, and view photos of their garden, by clicking here. Read more about the Zouplnas, and view photos of their garden, by clicking here
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Popcorn Benefits
submitted by EFM Vendor, Jerry Hill
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| Jerry Hill is a frequent vendor at the Emporia Farmers Market. Thrills Kettle Corn has become a favorite of market shoppers. |
- "We know whole grains are good for us in fighting a number of chronic diseases." Joe Vinson
- Polyphenols are concentrated in hulls because popcorn doens't have a lot of water and because it's 100% whole grain.
- A new study confirms that the hull of popcorn has some good nutritional qualities. The hull is where most nutritional goodies (polyphenols) are contained.)
- Popcorn has an antioxidant called ferulic.
- Researchers at th University of Scranton (PA) ran a lab analysis on the content in several types and brands of popcorn and found that the crunchy hull is rich in polyphenols -- antioxidants that prevent damage to cells.
- Bonnie Liebman, director of nutrition for the Center for Science in the Public Interest states, "I comfort myself that my popcorn also provided me with a whopping dose of fiber."
These popcorn findings were presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Diego. (Joe Vinson, Senior Author of the study) |
The Emporia Farmers Market Series of Classes at Community Connections
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Check out the website for a full listing of classes: http://flinthills.augusoft.net or
Enroll online, at the front office or call 341-1392 today!
Wild Edibles/Wildcrafting Adventures
Instructor: John Crisp
Cost: $5
Saturday, September 7, 8:30am - noon
Stores, local history, plan identification, recipes, an more are all part of our fascinating adventures along the trail. We will cover 2+ miles of trail. You'll learn more than you ever though possible and get a new perspective on the practical uses of edible and medicinal plants. Fishing plants, fire starting plants Kansas bananas, Vitamin C dinks, sweet water from a grape vine, pine needle tea, medicine, poisons, life-saving information, and a visit to an Indian earth lodge are part of the September trek. So put together a group of family and friends, and let's take a hike!
Eating in Season
Instructor: Tracey Graham
Cost: $5
Tuesday, September 10, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
We all know that locally-grown foods (from your garden, your friends' an neighbors' gardens, the Farmers Market, etc.) are the very best. Tips for creative ways of consuming high-quantity foods while they are at their peak is the focus of this class. Explore how to take advantage of the abundance that is available at different times of the year, and sample some recipes whipped up from what's available right now.
It's Time to Start a Winter Garden!
Instructor: Lisa Tosti
Cost: $5; kids under 18 are free!
Wednesday, September 11, 6:30-7:30pm
Start your winter garden now, and you can harvest greens and vegetables all winter. Join Lisa Tosti, who has raised a dozen different vegetables through the winter for 5 years. She will share the best tips on vegetable varieties hat thrive in the winter - di you know kale grows wonderfully in cooler temps? September is the best time to plant your winter garden; minimal construction, and no heating required! Come and get started, and check out Lisa's thriving winter garden patch!
High Tunnel Construction for Beginners
Instructor: John Crisp
Cost $10
Friday, September 13, 6:00-8:30PM and Saturday, September 14, 8:30AM - noon
Review the website or a Community Connections Catalog for Details.
Cheap and Easy Worm Composting
Instructor: Tracey Graham
Cost: $5
Wednesday, September 25, 6:00-7:15PM
Review the website or a Community Connections Catalog for Details.
and more!
Check out all the courses offered through Community Connections by visiting their website at http://flinthills.augusoft.net or look for a course catalog at the market or any area business
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With a Little Help From our Friends
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You may have noticed the carrot sign in the parking lot and the PayPal link on the website and newsletter. Why does the Emporia Farmers Market need friends, you might be asking. Isn't it enough to shop at the farmers market? Isn't it enough to lend a hand when possible, and buy burritos for breakfast or eat at the market's soup fundraisers?
Quite honestly, these things are enough, and we don't ever want to make anyone feel like their contributions to the market--be it shopping weekly or sharing our news and notes on your Facebook page--are not valued. It may be, however, that you or someone you know can do a little more. And as the song says, "We get by with a little help from our friends."
Since I've put the carrot sign up in the parking lot this year, showing that we were about a quarter of the way toward fulfilling our Friend goal of $2,000 for the year, I've had a lot of people ask me why the farmers market solicits donations. I thought perhaps it would be helpful to put it all down in writing.
The Emporia Farmers Market is unique among Kansas markets. We were founded as, and remain the project of, a non-profit organization -- The Learning Connection of the Flint Hills. We are one of the very few markets I have come across that maintains a part-time, paid staff member for conducting market business and promotion, including book keeping. While we rely heavily on our 12-member volunteer board and several volunteer farmhands to help run the kios during market hours, most farmers markets run entirely on volunteer power. As such, many markets tend to turnover and require a "re-start" every few years, as organizers move on or vendors grow frustrated from lack of consistent support.
Our operating budget, minimal though it may be, allows Emporia Farmers Market to grow, improve and expand, giving our community increased access to high quality, local foods, as well as giving area farmers and gardeners additional opportunities to market their products close to home.
As well, as a 501(c)(3) organization, the Emporia Farmers Market maintains a mission of community outreach and education for both growers and consumers. In order to maintain this status, we must receive a certain level of public support for our programs and activities.
The $2,000 Friends goal for 2013 allows us to meet our projected budget for the year. It allows us to maintain an office as a base of operations, maintain a year-round presence in Emporia with the goal of continually increasing access to local food, and to continue to support our vendors with basic services (such as bookkeeping) as well as promoting the market to keep their trips to the parking lot worthwhile.
We are always open to ideas and opportunities for partnering in our community. If your strength is in helping us get the word out, we are more than happy for the assistance. If you have a business that could benefit from promotion opportunities through the market's website, newsletter and social media pages, please review our Helpful Harvester program. Your contributions, in whatever form or amount they take, are greatly appreciated.
Stop by the Market Kiosk to become a Friend of the Emporia Farmers Market , or join/update your membership online today!
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Tomato Quartet
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"A world without tomatoes is like a string quartet without violins," according to the writer Laurie Colwin.
Of course she was talking about backyard garden and farmers' market tomatoes--all those luscious local tomatoes that provide a bright symphony of flavors. And now is the time to seek out every theme and variation on tomatoes: hybrids, heirlooms, cherry, pear, plum, even the diminutive currant tomatoes. The rainbow names of the heirlooms are enough to set your mouth watering: Sun Gold, Green Zebra, Pink Accordion, Prudens' Purple, Striped Roman, Purple Calabash, Orange Oxheart, Black Trifele, Great White, and the ever-popular Brandywines (pink, red, and yellow),to name just a few.
An Orchestra of Flavors
Tangy, bright, and explosively ripe, an in-season tomato is any cook's dream. You can do almost anything, or almost nothing, and either way, the result will be mind-blowingly delicious. To celebrate the season, we propose a tomato trio, starting with a garden-fresh bloody mary, moving on to a big herbed heirloom tomato salad, and ending with a pizza (or bread) topped with oven-roasted tomatoes.
The Melody of Summer Year Round
And after you slice 'em, dice 'em, sauce 'em, salad 'em, and slurp 'em down shamelessly, be sure and put some up for winter. Tomatoes are one of the few vegetables that you can simply wash, cut into chunks, and slip into a zip-lock freezer bag. Nothing could be easier, or more rewarding come winter.
Garden-Fresh Bloody Mary Mix
6 large, ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced 3 tablespoons lemon juice 3 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 teaspoons hot sauce, optional 2 teaspoons minced fresh horseradish 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon celery seed 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
Herbs for garnish (we love lovage), nasturtium and other Blend the tomatoes, lemon and lime juices, Worcestershire, garlic, hot sauce, horseradish, salt, celery seed and pepper until smooth. Cover and chill until needed. This recipe makes 6 to 7 cups, depending on the size of the tomatoes; the mix will keep for 1 week.
Herbed Heirloom Tomato Salad
Tomatoes this good deserve your best
extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and even some highfalutin�€™ salt because each of this salad's few ingredients defines the final flavor. Of course, the most important element is ripe, beauteous tomatoes, so hunt some down at your local farmers market.
- Gather up 2 pounds of the most beautiful heirloom tomatoes you can find, choosing a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Cut them into wedges or thick slices. If you have cherry tomatoes, leave them whole. Arrange them on a chilled plate and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and your favorite vinegar. Top with a sprinkling of fresh, torn herbs like tarragon, basil, chives, and/or Italian parsley. Serve immediately.
Fresh-Roasted Tomato Pizza
Pre-roasting the tomatoes for an hour or more in a slow oven (about 275 evaporates the water and concentrates the flavor, making powerful little flavor packets.
Makes 1 pizza or 3-4 pizza-breads
For roasted tomatoes
6 to 10 tomatoes (any size or color) 2 Tbs olive oil 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp fresh oregano, thyme, or parsley
For pizza 1 pizza dough (or 3-4 toasted slices of bread) 2 Tbs melted butter or olive oil 1/4 cup finely grated parmesan or other hard cheese 2 Tbs chopped fresh oregano, basil, or other herbs to garnish the pizza after it comes out of the oven
Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
Cut small tomatoes in half, and larger ones into wedges. Mix tomatoes in a bowl with olive oil, salt, and herbs. Place in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and slow roast in the oven for an hour or more.
Stretch the pizza dough and put on a pizza stone or cookie sheet. Bake in a hot oven (400 degrees) 3-5 minutes until dough has started to crisp slightly. Remove crust and use a fork to pierce any air bubbles. Use a brush to spread the melted butter or olive oil on the crust. Scatter the roasted tomato pieces on top, and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake 8-10 minutes, or until crust is crisp. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with fresh herbs. Enjoy!
When tomato season is in full swing, fill your oven with baking sheets full of tomatoes, and use them on any pasta or toasted bread of your choice. You can freeze any extra for winter.
For more information about the benefits of buying local food and a chart of what's in season when, check out our Farm Fresh Now! Infographic.
The best way to enjoy healthy, seasonal produce is to buy it from your local community farmer. To locate the farmers' market or CSA nearest you, or visit www.localharvest.org.
Farm Fresh Now! is a project of The Land Connection, an educational nonprofit that preserves farmland, trains new farmers, and connects people with great locally-grown foods. This series is made possible with generous support from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
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Thank YOU for Shopping Emporia Farmers Market. |
Several EFM Vendors participated the Market at the Lyon County Fair on Sunday, August 11.
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Wednesdays 5 PM
till approximately 6:15 PM, depending on weather and produce available -- shop early for the best selection!
Saturdays 8 AM
till approximately 10:30 AM, depending on weather and produce available -- shop early for the best selection!
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September Special Event Dates
Saturday, Sept. 7
Music by Zx3
Saturday, Sept. 14
Music by Lee Muller
Saturday, Sept. 21
Celebrate World Wide Spin in Public Day
Demonstrations by area spinners at the market.
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Located in
Downtown Emporia
Parking Lot at 7th & Merchant
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The Emporia Farmers Market Accepts Vision Cards
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The market is currently offering $2 in market tokens for every $1 a customer spends on a state of Kansas Vision Card. Please see a volunteer at the market kiosk/desk for details. Offer good while supplies last.
This gift made possible by the Emil Babinger Charitable Trust.
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Thank You to our Farmhands
The Market could not run without you!
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August Market Volunteers:
Janet Brassart
Ele Browning
Ellen Hansen
Kelsey McClellan
Ruthann Resch
Dr. Michael Shonrock
Kaman Simmons
Rand Simmons
Becky Smith
Garrison Smith
Cheryl Unruh
Market Musicians:
Savanna Chestnut
Lace Fahy
Bill Ihling
Lee Muller
Jasmine Reese & Ben Stallings
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Market Sponsors |
Winter Market & Vision Card Enhancement Sponsor:
The Emil Babinger Chartiable Trust
Facilities Sponsors:
The City of Emporia
Lyon County K-State Research & Extension
Elbert Liquor Store
Mark II Lumber
Media Sponsors:
KVOE
The Emporia Gazette
The Flint Hills Shopper
Community Partner & Event Sponsors:
Country Mart North
Emporia Community Foundation
Emporia Main Street
Emporia Subways
Flint Hills Community Health Center
Emporia Area Local Food Network
Murphy's Menu
Thurston's Plus
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Many Thanks to the Friends of the Emporia Farmers Market & Farmhands
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Tom & Rachel Andrews
Heath & Kim Botkin
Riley Botkin
Taylor Botkin
Janet Brassart
Harold & Naomi Brenzikofer
Ele Browning
Jessica Bucholtz
Betty Campbell & Margaret
Davidson
Laura Clawson
Coffelt Sign Company
Judy Conway
Tyler Curtis
Carla R. Davis
S.C. Dixon
John Dougherty
Paul DuToit
Emporia Gardeners of America
Flint Hills Music
Joe & Allison Foster
Colby Fuller
Courtney Gagan
Erica Grayson
Becky Hadicke
Joyce Hanlin (Arizings)
Ellen Hansen
Christina Hardin Fannie Harrell
Dr. Stephen Haught
Roger Heineken
Beth Henrikson & Charles
Rothenberg
Jessica Hopkins
June Hubert
Bill & Dianne Ihling
Janice Jaggard
Amy Jordan
Patricia Kahn
Rachael LeClear
Logan Ave. 4-H Club
Lyon County Master Gardeners
Max McCoy
Regina Murphy
Wanda Myers
Bobbi Mylnar
Dr. DenaSue Potestio
Ruthann Resch
Gretchen Russell
David Scheller
Mike Scheller
Carol Schoeck
Mark Schondelmaier Renewed!
Mark Sherman
Dr. Michael Shonrock
Evie Simmons
Kaman Simmons
Maddie Simmons
Rand Simmons
Becky Smith
Karen Sommers
Ben Stallings
Ashley Storrer
Anna Tall
Pam Thuma
Cheryl Unruh
Jesse & Beth Wilson
Ruth Wise
Casey & Erin Woods
Jennifer Youngblood
Barbara Younger
and Market Musicians
Sara Coltrane
Savanna Chestnut
Sue Claridge
Lance Fahy
Joe Foster
Bill Ihling
Eric Martin
Jane McCoy
Lee C. Muller
The Neighborly Brothers
Carlos Pringle
Ben Stallings
P.J. Stephenson
Anne Strobel
Charlie Wilks
Anton Zouplna
Anton Zouplna, Sr.
Anton Zouplna, III
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Contact EFM |
EFM Market Office
701 Commercial
Suite 202
Emporia, KS
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1911
Emporia, KS 66801
Office Hours:
by appointment
620-343-6555
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