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Farmers Market

Fairborn Farmers Market Opens Today

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Each Wednesday from May 20th until the end of October, the Fairborn Farmers Market opens mid-morning to early afternoon at the corner of Main Street and Grand Avenue in the Main Street Commons from 10am – 2pm.

Patrons can purchase fresh floral arrangements, baked goods, farm-grown produce, herbs, honey, preserves and other related items. All vendors must follow the Cottage Food Rules and have a signed Farmers’ Market Agreement on file with the City.

Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic:

  • the first hour of the market 10-11am will be designated for those who are most vulnerable.
  • All social distancing of 6 feet will be in effect.
  • All vendors will be required to wear mask, provide sanitizer on their tables, and be able to sanitize between customers.

An Online Farmers Market That Delivers

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Staying home? You can still support local farmers.

Market Wagon has created an online farmers markets with delivery to give consumers more access to local food.  Started in Indianapolis in 2016, Market Wagon built an online farmers market technology and a delivery service for local farms. Today, over 10,000 families have used their services.  Order fresh produce, eggs, dairy, meat, baked goods, locally roasted coffee, and more from local farms and artisans, and get it delivered to your door.

But as Covid-19 threatens our public farmers markets, farmers need this delivery service now more than ever. So, Market Wagon wants to make it as easy as possible for every shopper to support their local farmers. They have created a discount code for HALF-OFF offer for first-time customers. Limit 1 per household. Half-off discount valid on the first $40 of merchandise, a maximum discount of $20.

Shop here.

ENTER THIS DISCOUNT CODE AT CHECKOUT:
FARM-LOVE-50

NOT SURE WHAT TO ORDER?
Save Time & Shop Local with their Market Sampler Basket.
This is a broad mix of the hottest local products this week. Customize as you please and add to your cart with one click. Other bundles available for Slowcookers, the grillmaster or easy local meals.  Their site lists over 500 items from 34 local vendors.

Home Delivery is a  flat $5.95 fee.

 

2nd Street Market Now Open Sunday

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The 2nd Street Market will host its season kick off the first weekend in June, featuring summer staples such as the outdoor farmers market and the return of Sunday hours.

“Sunday hours were such a success last season that we have decided to extend this program even further into the year,” said Market Manager Jimmy Harless. “We always strive to address the needs of the community, whether it’s extending hours or hosting vendors who accept SNAP benefits.”

  • Kick off of Sundays at the Market: Sunday, June 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Expanding on a pilot that launched during summer 2017, the 2nd Street Market will welcome Sunday hours again this year. The kick-off of Sundays at the Market will include live music, shopping and a chance to milk a live dairy cow in celebration of National Dairy Month.

 

Market patrons will enjoy more than 40 vendors Many of the regular Saturday vendors will be open during First Friday and on Sundays, offering delicious prepared food, fresh produce, artisan goods and more each Sunday. Extending even further into the year, Sunday hours will now run through the holiday season, ending Dec. 31.

For a complete list of vendors at the 2nd Street Market visit the Market’s Facebook page or www.metroparks.org/localfood.

 

In an effort to make fresh, local food more accessible to the public, nearly 30 Market vendors now accept SNAP tokens thanks to a partnership with Homefull, a nonprofit working to end homelessness. Additionally, Produce Perks will also be available throughout the year. An incentive program for those who use an Ohio Direction Card (SNAP) to purchase produce, Produce Perks provides a dollar-for-dollar match to every dollar spent (up to $20 per visit) — double last year’s matching amount.

 

“The 2nd Street Market helps Five Rivers MetroParks serve as the region’s conservation leader by providing our community convenient access to local food, which is less taxing on the environment and often healthier,” Harless said. “By welcoming additional summer vendors, expanding hours and participating in programs such as Produce Perks, we are able to broaden accessibility to fresh food which is important to community health and wellness.”

 

In addition to Sunday hours, the Market is open Thursday and Friday from 11 am to 3 pm and Saturday from 8 am to 3 pm.

 

The 2nd Street Market is home to 10 prepared food vendors offering breakfast and lunch items, as well as vendors offering such kitchen staples as bread, milk, cheese, meats, oils, flour and a large selection of hand-crafted gifts. Learn more about the 2nd Street Market at metroparks.org/localfood.

 

Opening Day for Shiloh Farmers Market

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We are so excited to tell you that Shiloh Farmers’ Market Opens Saturday! We have had a busy “off-season” and we are fired up and ready for our 20th Opening Day! We will have 18 vendors this year, some “old” and 4 new ones.

We know many of you are looking forward to seeing National Trail Family Farm with their wonderful NON-GMO meats and poultry, eggs, cheeses and more.
It’s been a challenging growing season for our produce vendors, but we are happy to say that Downing Fruit Farm is planning to join us for our first market this season. Bob will have some produce as well as his award-winning cider, apple butter and more. Cook’s Garden is hoping these next few days of sunshine will mean lettuce for the first market. They will also have some of their bedding plants and Spring Run will have some too.
Our new produce vendor, Guided By Mushrooms specializes in… yes, you guessed! mushrooms, so that should be interesting! Cressel Farms will not be at our first market, but they plan to join us soon.
Rahn’s Artisan Breads will be back with us again this year along with two other baked goods makers: Beers Bakery and Grandpa Billy’s Bakery. Grandpa will also be bringing kettle corn!
Harry’s Ole’d Country Orchard joins us this year with jams, jellies, sauces, dressings, pickles, chow-chow, sprouts and wild basil herbs, and more! Hooked On Brittle returns with a variety of tempting brittles. Back Attack Snacks brings a variety of protein-rich snacks such as flavored almonds and beef jerky. 
Be ready to smell the joys of Mysterium Coffee, Ballantine Gardens, Tasha’s Common Scents, along with the colorful displays of Ear-Resistible by Anita and Connie’s Tupperware. Matty G’s Salsa cannot join us every week but we can let you know when he is planning to come.
The weather looks like it’s going to great, so I hope you will plan to join us between 8AM – 1PM this coming Saturday at 5300 Philadelphia Dr. (on the corner of N. Main & Philadelphia) in the parking lot of the Shiloh Church.
This post was written by David Hurwitz

6 Reasons to Shop at Your Local Farmers Market

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fresh produce from your local farmers market

The 2016 Farmers Market season is just getting started, and we’re all waiting with anticipation for the fresh, local foods they’ll bring! But access to amazing local produce isn’t the only reason to shop at a farmers’ market. Farmers markets provide additional benefits that you may not know about, for your body, community, and wallet. A regular trip to a farmers market is one of the best ways to connect with where your food comes from. Meeting and talking to farmers and food artisans is a great opportunity to learn more about how and where food is produced.  Read on for more reasons why you should check out your local farmers market this season!

1. Taste the difference.
Farmer’s markets offer the freshest food around—usually only hours from the field—so you get top quality, perfectly ripe flavor.

2. Help the environment.
Eating locally saves vast amounts of packaging waste and energy required to ship food around the globe.

3. Eat Seasonally
Farmer’s markets are filled with food that is fresh and ripe. Because it was grown locally, there is a good chance that the apple you buy from the farmer was picked a few days ago. This is virtually impossible in a big supermarket.

Female hands holding an aubergine

4. Become part of your community.
Festive and lively, farmer’s markets are social venues where you bump into friends and meet local farmers face to face.

5. Save money.
Buying from farmers eliminates the cost of the middleman and pricey shipping, so you get more value for your dollar. There are also many farmers that carry products that are not technically “organic,” (as this is a costly and often beurocratic-heavy process), but have many low-priced foods that are pesticide and herbicide free.

6. Find new cooking ideas.
Community chefs at the farmer’s market are often happy to share recipes for in-season foods.

Need help finding your local farmers market?  Check the DMM Calendar for our list of markets!

Christopher’s Restaurant: Saintly and Sinful

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Mushroom Bisque one of many homemade soups

Some say the food at Christopher’s Restaurant is like a religious experience.  That would make sense because the eatery is named after St. Christopher, the patron saint of travel.  Owner/Chef Chip Pritchard and his staff have developed a cult following with the locals, and a favorite stop of foodies who are passing through town.  Why?  Because it is comfort food.  It is not pretentious, just good solid food.  We met the owners at a farmer’s market and it has been a favorite Food Adventure stop ever since.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Known for their extensive, fresh menu it is a salad, soup and sandwich lovers paradise.

— Vegetarian and Vegan friendly choices make it a favorite healthy dining spot.  Many gluten free menu items to choose from as well.

The Black Bean Burger: not just for vegans anymore

— Breakfast menu that rivals anyplace in Dayton.   Most overheard quote at Christopher’s  “you gotta come back for breakfast.”  Tasty indeed.

— Christopher’s employs two bakers who make the desserts from scratch twice a week.  Check the revolving choices and make sure you don’t miss out on these sinful offerings.

— Thursday nights are “theme nights.”    Probably our favorite time to visit Christopher’s.  Guaranteed great foodstuffs in a fun, inviting atmosphere.  Most recently, we went to Caribbean Theme Night on September 12th.

— Christopher’s uses local farms, local produce, naturally raised beef, organic salmon (from Foremost Seafood), local free range eggs, and organic coffee and teas.

Speaking of which, The Big Ragu and crew have to tell you about …. the MUST EATS at CHRISTOPHERS

Many organic items like Ice Teas served with fresh, local mint sprigs

— THE CHRISTOPHER SPECIAL:  A bacon sandwich with avocado, tomato, Neufantel cream cheese and bean sprouts. We crave this and get nights sweats thinking about this specialty sandwich.

— THE MEZZA PLATE:  House Hummus, falafel, feta cheese chunks, kalamata olives, tomato slices, cucumbers and carrots surrounded by pita chips.  This ain’t your grandparents vegetarian menu…

— BUFFALO CHICKEN SOUP:  Phenomenal homemade soup with a kick better than Pelé.  Eat some and become a Buffalo Soldier like The Big Ragu.

— THE BLACK BEAN BURGER: Even if you are not a vegetarian, you gotta try this delicious and filling burger.

— MUSHROOM BISQUE: One of our all time fave soups is simply divine.  Creamy goodness in every spoonful.

— CARROT CAKE:  The homemade icing will have you saying “dude, seriously?”  Try it, your tummy will thank us.

— BUMBLEBERRY PIE:   Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries.  Yes, 3 berries, one pie.  Served cold or hot, you can’t lose with this fresh, local creation.  Big Ragu approved !

— TWO GOOD BREAKFAST: Two eggs, two pieces of bacon, two pieces of sausage and two pancakes or French toast.

Delicious, Fresh Breakfast Choices

Honorable Mention: Bacon & Tomato Omelette, Honey BBQ Chicken and The “Decent Breakfast” which features choices of fruit or home fries, choice of meat, 2 eggs and a biscuit, toast or English muffin.

This quaint dining establishment is a great place for a date, or a visit with your grandmother.  Expect great service, as the staff is friendly and very knowledgeable.  The eclectic menu at Christopher’s Restaurant is a great place for a serious eater.  From healthy, to vegan, from ethnic to good old fashioned American comfort food, they have it all.  It fits the bill for practically any occasion.  Best of all, many ingredients are fresh and local.    Give it a try next time you are near the corner of Woodman Dr and Dorothy Lane. They are open Monday – Saturday: 7:30am – 9pm.  They use organic to make meals that are fantastic.

Browse the many dishes in our photo album below from our many meals at Christopher’s.

Love Facebook?  Want some more from your favorite “foodies in their forties?”  Then check out Food Adventures on Facebook   —> HERE

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West Carrollton Farmers Market Debuts Tues, May 28th

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FM sign webA ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, to kick off the city of West Carrollton’s first Farmers Market located at 833 E. Central Ave.The market will begin on May 28 and continue through October 22 – open each Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. Eight vendors are signed up to participate during the season. Some vendors will begin later in the summer when their produce is ripe.Those eight vendors include:
Blairquist Speciality Meats (dairy shares, meat) of Hollansburg;
Bubbles, Bows & More (handmade detergents, soaps) of Moraine;
El Meson Restaurant (fruits, vegetables, herbs, baked goods) of West Carrollton;
Karolyn’s Gardens (fruits, vegetables, jams, jellies, soaps) of Springboro;
Silva Scensations (soaps, shower gels, foot cream, body cream) of Centerville;
Spring Valley Farm (fruits & vegetables)of New Madison;
Tom’s Garden (hot sauces & mustard) of Xenia;
Downing Fruit Farm (fruits & vegetables) of New Madison.
Additional vendors will be accepted as the season progresses. However, prior to participation, vendors are required to file an application permit, as well as pay a fee of $175 per 22-week season or $20 per week. Vendors, who are interested in more information, can contact Erika Mattingly, public relations coordinator, at (937) 847-4634 or e-mailemattingly@westcarrollton.org“> emattingly@westcarrollton.org.

The market will be held on a vacant lot, formerly a McDonald’s restaurant site, which is owned by the city. “This seemed like the ideal location because it’s easily accessible and has right the combination of green space and pavement for parking,” said Brad Townsend, city manager.

According to statistics from the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, about 13,000 vehicles pass the site each day.  “With our newly improved interstate access at Exit 47, we are excited to be able to showcase our community as well as provide fresh fruits and vegetables to our residents and visitors,” Townsend said.

A Facebook page has been recently created to highlight the new market, and keep up with vendors as they are added.
For more information, call Erika Mattingly at (937) 847-4634.