SEMAP Lg. logo
SEMAP Buy Local Update #1
Hey Everyone!
          Fall in Love with Local!
 


Ok, we're a little behind in the New Year wishes for health and happiness, but I guess it's never too late...HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Now on to more current items...

Here at SEMAP we've already experienced many big, and a few little (baby Ethan!) things to be excited for in 2009. To start with there's a fun food event happening this weekend to help kick-start your month of romance.  Keep reading to learn about our friends at Lees Market and their 'Lees Loves Local' event this Saturday in Westport, MA.

If by chance your Valentines day is already booked, keep reading for further ideas to help shake the deep-freeze-blues with the many delicious local foods and products, available year-round!

Special thanks to our 2009 Corporate Sponsors!
Lees Market, Whole Foods Market, and First Pioneer Farm Credit

As always check out our Online Farm Guide for help with finding Pick-Your-Own (PYO), farmstands, and specialty products.

In case you haven't noticed... local food is fantastic!
 
These emails are designed to help you get started on your local food odysseys and inform you about the many ways you can help local agriculture, simply by buying fresh local products.

Every two weeks or so, you can expect an email updating you on:
  • What's Growin' - Local Foods that are in Season - Show your Local Growers some Love!
  • Where You Can Purchase Them - Great Stores and Restaurants who support Local!
  • How you Can Further Support Local Producers - Tastings, Discussions, and More!
SEMAP's mission is to help local farmers achieve economic success through marketing and technical assistance.  Now, we are also increasing our public outreach on Why, Where and How to buy fresh, local products.  SEMAP's 'Buy Fresh, Buy Local' Campaign makes it easy for you to find the best quality products from our terrific local farms and food businesses--look for the our new label and taste the difference! All over Southeastern Mass., this label will be at participating farmstands, farmers markets, restaurants and markets.

But there's MORE!

Be sure to check out our website at www.semaponline.org to search our Online Farm Guide where over 200 local farms can be searched by location, products, market outlets, and more.

Look for the 'Buy Fresh Buy Local' label, and taste the difference!
SEMAP!!!!!

What's Local in Winter Guide

What is sweeter to give to your loved ones then locally produced Honey, Chocolate, Maple Syrup, or perfectly sweet Apples!  And as always, get more great Valentines ideas on our Online Farm Guide!

Seasonal Produce - Still Fresh and Delicious!

·    Allen Farm, Westport, (508) 636-2013.  Pea greens year round; herbs.
·    Barden Family Orchard, N. Scituate, RI,401-934-1413. Available @ Providence Winter Mrkt.
·    Brix Bounty Farm, Dartmouth, 508-992-1868. Celeriac, squash.
·    Cooks Valley Farm, Wrentham, (508) 883-6709. Apples available!
·    Great Cape Herbs, Brewster, 508-896-5900. Herb farm & herbal apothecary.
·    Hill Orchards, Johnston, RI, (401) 949-2940. Cider & apples @ Providence Winter Mrkt.
·    Maplewood Farm, Portsmouth, RI, 401-683-1370. Potatoes.
·    Merrylegs Farm, Dartmouth, (508) 992-7424. Dried flowers/wreaths.
·    Noquochoke Orchards, Westport, 617-416-2140. Squash, turnips.
·    Roots Remedies, New York/Southeastern MA, 917-499-0991. Herbal medical products using           locally grown herbs and extracts.
·    Sampson Farms, Westport, 508-674-2733. All purpose white and red potatoes.

Jams, Jellies, Honeys, Chutneys, oh my!

·    Chatham Jam & Jelly Shop, Chatham. 120 varieties of jams/jellies, chutneys, relishes,                  butters, marmalades and more utilizing local fruit and produce.
·    Charlie's Sugarhouse, Coventry, RI, (401) 397-7102. Tours starting weekends in March.
·    E. & T. Farms, Inc., W. Barnstable, MA, 508-362-8370.  Honey, all sizes. Open every weekend.
·    Hana's Honey, Westport, 508-636-5564. Specialty honeys, variety of sizes.
·    Tripp Farm, Westport, 508-636-2126. Fresh jams & jellies using local, cert. organic fruits.
·    Walters Specialties, Kingston, 781-585-3169.  Beach plum, rose hip jellies and syrups,                   blackberry-brandy jam; BBQ and hot sauces.
·    Whispering Elms Farm, N. Scituate, RI, 401-934-0547. Available in season, Feb. through April.

Sweet and Savory

·   
The Best Damn Granola Co., Dartmouth, 508-208-4487. Granola with attitude!
·    Cape Cod Cranberry Drizzle, Dennis, 508-258-0837. Cranberry syrups, dips, dressings & more!
·    Chef Paul's Truffles & Catering, Brewster, 774-263-2751. Using local organic ingredients.
·    Cranberry Hill Farm, Plymouth, 614-365-1518. Organic fresh and sweetened dried cranberries.
·    Langdon Farms Pasta Sauce, Mattapoisett, 508-828-8030.  Local sauce w/ local tomatoes!!
·    OceanState Chocolates & Confections, Kingston, 401-667-7317. Uniquely RI, naturally delicious!
·    Pesto-Fresco, Plymouth, 508-224-6045. Premium pestos & tapenades. 
·    Taza Chocolate, Somerville, (617) 623-0804. Premium local chocolate.
·    Willows Cranberries, Wareham, 508-295-9990. Fresh and dried cranberries, chocolate covered      cranberries, specialty vinegars, and trail mixes. Gift baskets available!

Baked Bounty

·    Artisan Kitchen, Rochester, 508-763-4905. Handmade pies, breads, pastries, savories, and              Wedding and Occasion cakes. Available at How On Earth: The Store or call for custom orders &      catering info. edible South Shore Local Hero Winner - Food Artisan
·    Artisan Swirls Bakery, Kingston, 508.763.4905. Specialty muffins using local fruits &                      vegetables.
·    Chris's Gourmet, Plymouth,508-274-4962. Gluten-free Handcrafted artisanal breads & cakes.
·    Cutie Pies, Providence, RI, 401-331-2414. From scratch crust pies. 'Our only competition is Mom'
·    Ever So Humble Pies, Co., E. Walpole, 508-660-9731. Home-style fruit pies and crisps.
     Holiday Hours: Mon - Fri 9-6; Sat 9-3.  Closed Sunday
- Pie tasting every Saturday!
·    Flour Girls Bakery, Marion, 508-241-2553. Fresh cookies, cakes and snacks  using all-natural          FRESH ingredients.
·    Gourmet & Gourmand, Wareham, 508-295-1915. Baked goods & spreads using local products!
·    Kayak Cookies, Cummaquid. "Subtly sweet, curiously salty".  Buy ONLINE!  Gift baskets                  available!

Dairy Delights

·    Bettencourt Dairy Farm, Rehoboth, 508-252-5464. Raw cow's milk available at farm.
·    Great Hill Dairy, Inc., Marion, 508-748-2208. Delicious locally produced blue cheese.
·    Lyons Brook Farm, Westport, 508-636-2552. Raw goat's milk. Self serve at farm.
·    Narragansett Creamery, Providence, RI, 401-272-4944. Variety of artisan cheeses.
·    Oake Knoll Ayrshires, Foxboro, 774-219-6257. Raw cow's milk available at farm.
·    Paskamansett Farm, Dartmouth, 508-990-7859. Raw cow's milk available at farm; eggs.
·    Shy Brothers Farm, Westport, 508-333-2626. Tiny artisanal cheeses.

Meat & Seafood

·    Barnstable Seafarms, Barnstable, 508-362-4125. Oysters & littlenecks, raw bar service
·    Black Eagle Bison Co., Carver, 508-866-2074. American buffalo meat products.
·    Border Bay Junction Farm, Barnstable, Borderbayfarm@verizon.net. Naturally-raised lamb.
·    E.&T. Farms, W. Barnstable, 508-362-8370. Aquaponic greens; tilapia & bass.
·    Merrylegs Farm, Dartmouth, (508) 992-7424. Occasional duck eggs, call ahead.
·    Paskamansett Farm, Dartmouth, 508-990-7859. Chicken eggs.
·    River Rock Farm, Westport, 508-636-5586. Grass-fed beef; quarter animal minimum.
·    Round The Bend Farm, Dartmouth, 508 938 5164. Freezer beef, pork, and lamb.
·    Run Dog, Run Farm, Westport, 401-662-1672. Eggs; Broilers chickens (Feb.), taking orders now!
·    Salty Lou's, E. Sandwich, 508-888-4148. Live local lobsters.

Local Libations! 
·    Buzzards Bay Brewery, Westport, 508-636-2288. Open Sat. 11-5pm for tasting, sales & tours.
·    Cape Cod Beer, Hyannis, 508-790-4200. Cape Cod's only microbrewery!
·    Cape Cod Winery, E. Falmouth 508-457-5592.
·    Mayflower Brewing Company, Plymouth, 508-746-2674.
·    Running Brook Vineyards, North Dartmouth, 508-985-1998.
·    Sakonnet Vineyards, Little Compton, RI, 1 800-91-WINES.
·    Truro Vineyards, Truro, (508) 487-6200.
·    Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery, Westport, (508) 636-3423.  Gift baskets available!

For complete information on all these farms (and MANY others),
plus MORE produce in season, check out our Online Farm Guide at www.semaponline.org

Cookin Local!

If you're lucky enough to have some kale ready to pick in your coldframes, here is the recipe for you. If not, ask your local grower or visit a winter farmers market (like Providence!) to pick up some delicious sweet kale, potatoes and beans. This version comes from Joan Gussow's 'This Organic Life', which is a great read to inspire the year-round grower in all of us.

Joan's Kale and Potato Soup

If you are not using canned beans, cook 1 cup kidney, pinto, or brown beans before beginning soup, and if you're not a vegetarian, boil half a chorizo or kielbasa with beans for 15 minutes during the cooking.

Steam in a large kettle until wilted and bright green:
    4 cups finely cut kale leaves
Cool and hold.

Heat in a soup pot:
    3 tablespoons olive oil

Add:
    1 medium yellow or red onion, diced
    3 to 6 cloves garlic, minced
    1/2 teaspoons chili flakes
    1 to 2 bay leaves
Saute over low heat until onion is soft but not brown.

Add:
    1 pound red or yellow potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
    2 teaspoons nutritional yeast (optional)
    6 cups water or stock (bean or bean/chorizo water may be used)
Bring to a boil, and simmer about 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Roughly crush potatoes against side of pot so most are sort of mashed.

Add:
    2 cups cooked beans
    shredded kale, which has been re-chopped finely after steaming
    sliced parboiled chorizo

Boil 6 to 8 minutes. Serve.
BUY LOCAL!
Year-Round Local Market Guide!

Almost anytime of year you can swing by or call ahead for the best in local food and products! 

(Check the Online Farm Guide for many more market and

Year-round Markets & Stores

·    Alderbrook Farm, Dartmouth, 508-636-4562.  Open year-round! All-local farmstand, selling          milk, cider, cheeses, breads, honey, seasonal produce, and gift items.  Barn-yard animals too!
·    Bradford Natural Market, Provincetown, 508-487-1373. Local produce & natural products.
·    Chatham & Dennisport Natural Markets, 508-945-4139. Local produce & grocery.
·    The Chatham Jam & Jelly Shop, W. Chatham, 1-877-526-7467. Large variety of jams, jellies,          chutneys and spreads using native fruits & vegetables. Gift baskets available!
·    City Feed & Supply, Jamaica Plain, 617-524-5539. Local produce, deli & bakery items.
·    Down to Earth, New Bedford, 508-996-1995. Large variety of natural health products.
·    Far Land Provisions, Provincetown, 508-487-0045. Deli, bakery, local produce and products.
·    How On Earth: The Store, Mattapoisett, 508-758-1341.  Open year round! Farm fresh seasonal      produce, meats, breads, prepared foods, books, local gift items and more.
·    Lees Market, Westport, 508.636.3348. Carrying many local products from these & other farms.
·    The Market @ The Pinehills, Plymouth, 508-209-0000. Grocery; local produce & products.
·    Nantucket Wild Gourmet & Smokehouse, Chatham. 508-945-2700. Variety of local and                  non-local smoked fish prepared in pates, spreads and thinly sliced versions.
·    Partners Village Store Kitchen, Westport, 508-636-2572.  Open year-round! Homemade food          using local produce plus unique gifts and books.
·    Tihonet Village Market, Wareham, 508-295-5437.  Open year-round! Village store/deli with an      emphasis on locally grown and produced products.  Try a Holiday pie w/ all local apples!
·    WholeFoods Market,Bellingham & Hingham. Local produce, cheese, and specialty products.
·    Windfall Market, Falmouth, 508-548-0242. Local produce & products throughout the year.         ·    The Village Market, Monument Beach, 508-759-3877.  Local produce & products.

Cafe's & More!
·    Cafe Arpeggio, New Bedford & Fall River. Homemade ice cream using Arruda Dairy's cream.
·    Gourmet & Gourmand, Wareham, 508-295-1915. Small artisan food producer using local                    ingredients in their breads, pastries, pies, biscotti, jams & jellies, and meals to go.
·    Mirasol's Cafe, Dartmouth.  Serving Jim's Organic Coffee - Egg Nog Lattes, specialty soups,                 sandwiches, baked goods and much more!  Gift packages available!
·    Pie in the Sky, Woods Hole, 508-540-5475. Handmade breads & pastries; soups & sandwiches.
·    Prisco's Market, Bridgewater, 508-697-3711. Seasonal local produce; grocery items.
·    Seven Arrows Farm, Attleboro, 508-399-7860. Plants, teas, books & herbals.
·    Shipyard Galley, Mattapoisett, 508-758-9408. Baking, catering and other nutritious mischief!
·    Starfish Bakery, Westport, 508-636-3020 . Fresh baked breads, pastries, cakes, cookies & more!
·    Rockin' K Cafe, Bridgewater, 508-697-8278. Organic Fair Trade coffee & specialties.
·    Ward's Berry Farm, Sharon, 781-784-3600. Local produce, deli & groceries.


Educational / Non-food Items
·    Great to Be Green, Swansea, 508-567-0274. Eco-friendly gifts and local art!  Check out there           store in the Swansea Mall this holiday season!
·    Soule Homestead Education Center, Middleboro, (508) 947-6744. Open yr-round, classes,              workshops and children's activities.
BUY LOCAL!
Local Events!

Also, be sure to scan our Online Farm Guide to look for more ideas on local specialties and events.
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Lees Loves Local!lees logo

Saturday, February 14th, 2009  10:00am - 3:00pm

@ Lees Market, 796 Main Rd., Westport MA
Please let us make your Valentine's Day special as we celebrate local foods, local shopping, and local living. There will be over twenty local businesses sampling their products along with great instore specials, treats, kid's crafts, and raffles. There is fun for all ages!
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CHEZ DUCROT - Flavors of Love - Diner for Two - Saturday Feb. 14, 2009
www.chezducrot.com  - 
508-747-4148
Romance the special person in your life with Valentine's dinner Chez Ducrot. Enjoy live music by the fire as Chef Philippe tempts your taste buds with "flavors of love".... Lobster Velouté with Truffles, Spiced Pumpkin Flan with Saffron-steamed Baby Mussels, Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb kissed with lavender buds and Soufflé au Chocolat.... Savor four-course dining with your love in the romantic and intimate ambiance of Chez Ducrot. Shelley Otis tugs your heartstrings with live harp music all evening.

Reserve Now: Four courses, live music
$65 per person + +
Reservations accepted from 5 PM to 10 PM
Call for reservations & information.
Limited seating available
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VALENTINE SPECIALS @ Martha's Stone Soup, Plymouth MA
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 12, 13, & 14th.  - www.marthasstonesoup.com

Local foods this week: Hannabells cheese, Clams, Scallops and Cape Scallops, New England grown onions, potatoes, red cabbage and Plymouth grown cranberries.

Entrees include Coq au Vin, Cape Scallops, Beef Almost Wellington, Braised Lamb Shank (prepared in the same manner that I first tasted it at one of Paul Bocuse's restaurants in Lyon) and Grilled Marinated Ostrich (very lean, high protien with the flavor of red meat and the benefits of poultry)
Dessert pairing of Chocolate, Cheese, Fruit and Brigantino (a lovely Italian sparkling red dessert wine). You will also find Crepe Suzette as a choice this week.
 
Space still available Saturday at 5:00 and 9:00 and several time slots free on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. We are serving Children's High Tea all of Valentine week for $12, heart shaped scone, finger savories and sweets and organic hot chocolate.
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RI WINTERTIME MARKET - EVERY SATURDAY!  11am - 2pm
Hope Artiste Village, 1005 North Main Street, In Pawtucket, just over the Providence line.
From holiday wreaths in December to the first asparagus in April, there is a place for you to get locally grown and produced food, every week, all winter long.  Click here for map & directions!
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SOULE HOMESTEAD EDUCATIONS CENTER - www.soulehomestead.org
February School Vacation Program 2009
Winter Fun on the Farm!
Ever wonder what happens at the farm in the winter? What happens to the wild animals, birds and insects? Do they stay or do they go? Come learn about what happens to the wild life. We have fun games, songs, crafts and walks planned. Each day is different, come join the winter time fun! 
Tue 2/17:       Where are the Wild Animals?
                      Explore basic animal facts and trivia.
Wed 2/18:      For the Birds
                      Learn some particulars about our fine feather friends!
Thurs 2/19:    Creepy Crawlies
                      Come discover the small details of INSECTS!!
Fri 2/20:        We're in this Together
                      Celebrate the circle of life!
 
Sign up for a day or the week by e-mail, mail, or phone.  We'd love to hear from you! Members pay $44 for the week or $12 for a day. Non-Members pay $52 for the week or $15 for a day. Please print, complete, and return the registration form found on our website with your check (www.soulehomestead.org).

February Workshops at Soule Homestead:

Sat., Feb 14th   - Chair Seat & Basket Weaving 9am-3pm  Materials are available for purchase from the instructor. Instruction and materials for this week's project, a Heart Basket, will be available at a discount, along with assorted kits from past classes and bulk materials for those making their own custom baskets.  All weavers:  Just bring a lunch, as all tools are provided.  Class size is limited.  Members $15/Non-member $20.
Feb 21st- Yoga for Gardeners-10am to 11:30am Join instructor Kim Alemeida for an introduction to this ancient practice that will help you improve and maintain your muscle tone & flexibility. Please bring a yoga mat or beach towel if you have one. Adults of all ages, all levels; $8 Members/$10 Non-members.  Please call to register.
Sat., Feb 28th - Quilting Workshop - 9am to 3pm Join Judy Rolt as she teaches beginners & experienced quilters alike. It's a chance to learn new techniques & skills.  Bring a lunch, your own machine and materials or use our materials.  $15 Members/$20 Non-members.
Sat. Feb 28- Chair Seat & Basket Weaving 9am-3pm This week's project,  Large Muffin Basket (see 2/14 for details
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BRIX BOUNTY FARM - Know Your Vegetables!
Winter Monthly Discussion - Monday Feb. 23rd, 6:00pm -

858 Tucker Road, Dartmouth, MA  /  508.992.1868  / http://brixbounty.blogspot.com/

Subject for discussion: Tools for the Vegetable Garden, Small Farm and Different Approaches to Tillage


A monthly conversation series focusing on small-scale vegetable production.  We invite you (home gardeners, farmers, foodies, anybody who enjoys vegetables...young and old) to join us in a free discussion series on a range of topics to sustainable vegetable production. Please RSVP.

Where ELSE Can I Find Local Products?

SEMAP's Buyer Members in our Business-to-Business/Buy Fresh Buy Local Network are local restaurants, schools, and markets.  Listed here are 2008 members; they are a group interested in supporting local producers and educating their customers on the many benefits of buying fresh, local products.

Barnstable County, Ma.
New Members!    Blue Moon Bistro - W. Dennis - www.bluemoonbistro.net
Hatch's Fish and Produce Market  -  Wellfleet  -  www.hatchsfishmarket.com
New Members!    Osteria La Civetta - Falmouth - www.osterialacivetta.com
New Members!    Quicks Hole -  6 Luscombe Ave., Woods Hole
New Members!     Starboard Side Landscaping - Dennis - www.starboardsidelandscaping.net

Bristol County, Ma.
Fall River Public Schools - Fall River
Fine Catering by Russell Morin  -  Attleboro  -  www.morins.com
M & C Cafe Restaurant and Catering Co.  -  New Bedford  -  www.mandccafe.com
Morton's Fork Catering - New Bedford - www.mortonsforkcatering.com
Raymond Norman Cooks! - N. Attleboro - www.raymondnormancooks.com
Westport Community Schools  -  Westport

Dukes County, Ma.
Eden Market & Garden Center - Vineyard Haven - www.EdenMV.com

Norfolk County, Ma.
Ever So Humble Pie Co.  -  East Walpole  -  www.eversohumble.com

Suffolk County, Ma.
Baldor Boston, LLC - Chelsea - www.baldorfood.com
Costa Fruit and Produce - Boston - www.freshideas.com

Plymouth County, Ma.
Bay Club Mattapoisett  -  Mattapoisett  -  www.bayclubmatt.com
Chez Ducrot  -  Plymouth  -  www.chezducrot.com
Cirelli Marketplace - Middleboro -   www.cirelli.com
New Members!     Lindsey's Family Restaurant - Wareham - www.lindseysfamilyrestaurant.com
Martha's Stone Soup @ the Tavern - Plymouth -  www.marthasstonesoup.com

Rhode Island
Ocean State Peeled Potato, Inc.  -  Johnston
Persimmon Restaurant  -  Bristol  -  www.persimmonbristol.com

If you're looking for a nice dinner, lunch or local market to pick up some snacks, be sure to check out these great businesses.



Pass It On...

If you have friends & family who would be interested in receiving these updates, please have them sign up on our website! Or you can easily forward this email to them by clicking the "Forward email" link at the bottom of the page.

Any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Happy Gift Giving!
 
Sarah Cogswell
SEMAP Buy Local Coordinator
scogswell@semaponline.org
www.semaponline.org
PO Box 80625
South Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02748