Lettuce Eat Well Farmers' Market

Newsletter for Friday August 24, 2012

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHT

Jo the Jam Lady & some of her loyal customers

                                                                          
This week's spotlight shines on Jo the Jam Lady.  Her catchy name might seem to say it all, but it doesn't.  While Jo began her career with LEWFM supplying customers with her homemade jams, she soon expanded her line of offerings.  In addition to her original line up of jams, Jo now offers apple butter and several varieties of fruit-only jams, along with scones, granola, and her whole wheat egg noodles.  The changes in her offerings took place because Jo is so responsive to her customers' requests, and to the suggestions of Market Management. 

Jo's items are very popular with her many customers, and for good reason.  She sources many of her ingredients from local farmers, which, of course, enhances both the flavor and the nutrients.  In addition to the best of ingredients, the quality of her products is due to the care she puts into the making of each item; and, she loves what she is doing.  This is evidenced by the following information Jo submitted when a month ago we asked her to describe a "life in the day of Jo the Jam Lady."  
 

I'll start by describing my kitchen right now.  I've got a huge pot of chopped apples simmering in my crock pot.   This afternoon, I'll add my spices & let it simmer over night. I've got over a gallon of deseeded blackberries from Roman's Family Farm.  This afternoon, I'll turn them into jam. I also have over a gallon of strawberries macerating in their own juices so they can get nice and sweet.  I'll use them to make unsweetened strawberry jam. A couple of weeks ago, I got some Lodi apples from Grandpa's Garden [College Hill Farmers’ Market].  I used them to make yummy apple butter.  I sold 20 jars in 2 days.  I also got some early glow peaches from Grandpa's Garden.  I used them to make unsweetened peach jam. Customers enjoyed that very much as well.  Cliff (Grandpa) told me he would have more apples for me in the fall. I can hardly wait.  I got my wheat berries from Farmer Tom Cail [Northside Farmers’ Market].   This afternoon, I'm going to grind some wheat berries in my new mill. I'll use my fresh, local flour to make whole wheat pasta.  It's going to be great fun.

This is my second summer participating in the market.  I have enjoyed it totally.  I have learned so much from all of the vendors.  I've learned what is available & when throughout the season.  I've learned to appreciate how hard farmers work and to realize that they are always at the mercy of nature.  I've learned how generous they are with their knowledge and how happy they are to teach new things.  I've found the market to be an amazing community.

 And we have found Jo the Jam Lady to be an amazing vendor.  If you have not yet found your way to her booth, you are in for a very pleasant experience.  Jo offers samples of each of her jams, and like with the offerings from our other great vendors:  the only problem seems to be deciding among the many favorites.  Oh, go ahead and buy several!

NOTICES  

• Mohr Animal Acres and Grilling By Logan will not be at market this week.  They will be at market August 31, September 14 and September 28, and every other week there after.
• Skirtz & Johnston Breads will not be at market during the month of August.  They will return in September.
•  The following vendors will not be at market this week.  They will return August 31.

1. Reidel Village General
2. Evergreen Holistic Learning Center
3. The Rock Guys
4. Danny Reckman, Licensed Massage Therapist 

VERY SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

We are very pleased to announce that we now accept Food Stamps at our market.  If you would like to use your food stamp benefits to purchase items at our market simply bring your EBT card to the Market Management Booth.  

We hope everyone will help us spread the word about this great news.  Please share the information with neighbors, friends, and co-workers so food stamp beneficiaries will become aware that they can now purchase fresh produce and other healthy food items at the Farmers' Market, directly from the people who produce the foods.  

RECENTLY ADDED
We recently added three new vendors.

• Junia/Ann's House is a non profit organization that provides numerous programs that offer training and development with a focus on self empowerment.  Through one of their programs they teach people the skills of growing their own food.  At market they sell some of the fruits of their labors.
• SAVE Energy Cincy offers free programs to help people learn to save money, energy, and the environment. 
• Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance is a non profit organization that aids in investments in energy efficiency for homeowners, non profit organizations, and commercial building owners in the Greater Cincinnati area.

SEASONAL & CHANGING PRODUCTS/ITEMS 

Even with the challenging summer of hot and dry conditions, our Produce Vendors are supplying the market with a plethora of produce.   At market this week you will see a large variety of heirloom tomatoes, along with cherry tomatoes  -  kids (of all ages) love these, Swiss chard, kale, noodle beans, peppers, onions, squash, basil, zucchini, and pears.  There might also be some additional surprises from Mother Nature to enliven your meal menus.  Also, ask the Produce Vendors about their selection of herbs, both for tea and for seasoning.

For those of you who enjoy Eating Well year round and are "putting food by" there will be tomatoes by the half bushel for $25.00.  To pre order call (812) 233-7990.


For a full listing of seasonal produce, visit CORV's Website.

For a full listing of our vendors, their products, and services, including:

• Chair Massage, where you can relax after a hard day 
• Kids & Krafts, where the kids can have loads of fun so you can leisurely shop the market
• Many food and non-food items
• and a list of vendors who accept credit cards

check out our Vendors.

DID YOU KNOW?

We now have an LEWFM Media Team.  Their coverage of our recent National Farmers' Market Week celebration is outstanding!!  You can view their videos here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZq4DzQiPaY&feature=plcp   

and here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwzbGoWNpUE
 
REMINDER

The vote for your favorite Farmers' Market contest that has been going on since June will be ending at midnight on September 3.  If  you have not already done so, we hope you will take a few moments and help make Lettuce Eat Well Farmers' Market America's Favorite Farmers' Market!  American Farmland Trust's America's Favorite Farmers' Markets contest has kicked into gear and we need your votes to win!
The process is simple.  To vote for our market, all you have to do is:

1.) Go to www.farmland.org/vote
2.) Type in Lettuce Eat Well Farmers' Market and,
3.) Click "Vote"

That's it.  That's all it takes to bring Lettuce Eat Well Farmers' Market one step closer to being America's favorite Farmers' Market.

According to American Farmland Trust, the purpose of this contest is to re-connect local consumers to local farms, with the ultimate goal of keeping our nation's farm and ranch land productive and healthy. 

ber to stock up on your eggs, meats, cheeses, and other items from Mohr Animal Acres because they will be at market every other week throughout the Outdoor Market Season.  (Date Here) They will not be at market this week.

ANOTHER REMINDER
We're always looking for volunteers! If you're available to lend a hand at the Market any time between 2:00pm and 7:30pm on Fridays, or during the week for more behind the scenes activities, check out the link below to contact us!

Volunteers Click Here!

Please share this newsletter with friends and family to help spread the word about LEWFM!

Our Vendors are at market each Friday from 3:00 - 7:00 rain or shine and they hope you will be there also.