Thursday, July 29, 2010
On July 17, nine-year-old Tucker Scott won the Memphis Farmers’ Market corn-shucking contest! Six kids competed in the contest, and they had three minutes to shuck ears of corn. Ly’s Home Grown Produce provided the corn for the contestants to use. Way to go Tucker!
If anyone (Tucker included) is looking for a great corn pudding recipe, try this one from NPR's website.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113310116
//Tamara W.
Monday, July 19, 2010
MFM Receives TN Dept. of Agriculture Grant to Improve Facility
Join us Saturday July 24 at 10am at the market pavilion to celebrate as Tennessee Department of Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens, presents the MFM with a $100k matching grant to improve the market pavilion facility! MFM will use this generous financial contribution from the state of Tennessee to build a much needed open-air covering over the vendor spaces in the parking...
Friday, June 25, 2010
Tree ripened, sweet and juicy peaches... Simply walk by the Jones Orchard stall on Saturday and smell the sweetness. Tims Family Farm, Jesse Harris Produce, and Donaldson Farm also offer peaches at the MFM. (More info on them here , on our Vendor List.) Plan a really special summer treat this weekend...make homemade peach cobbler.
Speaking of juicy, tomatoes have arrived and they are tangy and delicious. Look for all sorts of vegetable options this week like green beans (several...
Thursday, June 17, 2010
It's starting to heat up at the MFM! Summer produce is coming in truckloads.
Start looking for summer squash, green beans, green tomatoes and even some early sweet corn. Not only can you still gather a great salad bowl of lettuces, turnips, radishes, spring onions, cucumbers and even greenhouse cherry tomatoes, now you can have a dinner plate full of veggies. If you haven't had fried green tomatoes yet this year, now is the time. Nothing screams summer like a fried green tomato...
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The South Main Association , along with area residents, is hosting a huge sidewalk sale this Saturday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
What a great Saturday -- shopping at the Memphis Farmers Market and then heading to the SMA Sidewalk Sale to find collectibles, art, and well-maintained garments. Or vice versa. Either way, be sure to participate in the fun. As you probably know, the Farmers Market is open 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. and is located in the heart of the historic South Main District...
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Miles McMath makes eating local easy for staff and patients with the St. Jude Farmers Market and community garden
- By Ashley Akin
A peculiar epiphany led Miles McMath to set out to improve the accessibility of nutritious foods for the St. Jude staff just two years ago. He realized that the very people trying to make sure patients eat healthy don’t have much time to worry about their own eating habits.
“Our employees maybe don’t have time to go to the farmers...
Sunday, June 13, 2010
My maternal family and I have a strong affinity for peaches. “Peaches” is the nickname of one of my uncles (so pervasive is this nickname that I did not know my uncle’s actual name until I was in high school). My late grandmother made what many consider to be the Citizen Kane of peach cobblers. And peach cobbler was actually my first foray into cooking from scratch. One of my favorite things about summer is that it is the season of peaches (which are, in my opinion, the best dessert fruit). ...
Friday, June 11, 2010
Newman Farm's success with their local chef favorite berkshire pork is featured in a Commercial Appeal article this week
Newman Farm Heritage Berkshire Pork is located in the Southern Ozarks near Myrtle, Missouri. They are a family farm where raising the highest quality purebred Berkshire pork is our their only business.
Today many in the pork industry are using the term "naturally" produced. What does "naturally" produced really mean? Does it mean pork raised in indoor...
Saturday, May 29, 2010
By Erin M. Hartmann, RD, LDN
In Memphis, it is rare to stroll down Front Street without catching a delectable waft of Memphis barbeque. Once a year, the World Famous Championship Barbeque Cooking Contest rolls into downtown putting senses into overdrive! Participants are able to splurge on secret rubs, mouth watering barbeque sauces and unique flavors from around the world.
I say splurge because on average appropriate daily serving sizes of meat for men and women is 5 ½ to...
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Vendor
Name: Coldwater Alpaca Ranch; Cathy Stauffer
Location: Coldwater, MS
Website: www.coldwateralpacaranch.com
What do you produce?: Eggs, fresh herbs (such as parsley and catnip), goat milk, soap, and lotion
How long have you been a vendor at MFM? Since last year
What is your favorite thing about Memphis Farmers’ Market?: Getting to know the customers—everyone is really friendly!
Cathy Stauffer's table
Customer
Name: Bridgette Work
City: Marion, AR ...
Thursday, May 20, 2010
This week's theme, "Flower Power" brings to mind a colorful array of blooms and bouquets. And, of course, there are flowers galore at the Downtown Memphis Farmers Market.
But this week think outside the bud, because broccoli will be abundant. Loaded with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants, broccoli heads are actually unopened clusters of flower buds. Imagine broccoli harvested within a day or two of market and from within 50 miles of Memphis...now, that's flower...
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
By J.J. Hermes
This month, as bunches of lovely greens are on offer at the Memphis Farmers Market, we go South of the border for dinnertime inspiration.
Way, way South of the border, past Mexico, the Equator and the rainforests of Brazil, lay the pampas of Argentina. In these vast grasslands, cattle graze on estancias not unlike the pastures of West Wind Farms and Neola Farms right here in Tennessee. The people who raise the beef are...
Monday, May 10, 2010
Did you know it takes about 1,000 volunteer slots to run the Downtown Farmers Market every season? I'm in my second season of volunteering, and it's so much fun to spend Saturday mornings with such a well coordinated and deeply committed group of volunteers (big shout out to Terre G., MFM Volunteers Cultivator!).
In addition to writing for the blog, you'll find me on Saturday mornings volunteering in the Courtesy Pet Sitting tent -- I think I have one of the best jobs there! But in...
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
The term “organic” gets tossed around many times in discussions about food, but there are some misconceptions about it. The United States Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program defines organic as follows: “Organic crops are raised without using most conventional pesticides, petroleum-based fertilizers, or sewage sludge-based fertilizers. Animals raised on an organic operation must be fed organic feed and given access to the outdoors. They are given no antibiotics or growth...
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Read to discover more about a MFM vendor and customer, both of whom braved Saturday's storms.
Vendor Profile
Name: Flora at Bluebird Farms; Van Cheeseman
Location: Holly Springs, MS
What do you produce?: Specialty cut flowers and produce
What is your favorite thing about Memphis Farmers’ Market?: The atmosphere and developing relationships with the customers
Fun Fact: Flora at Bluebird Farms also has heritage chickens and Indian runner ducks.
Van...
Friday, April 30, 2010
This weekend MFM is celebrating its five-yearanniversary. What better way tocelebrate this milestone than by sharing five things you might not know aboutthe market—but should! Market Bucks: We now have our own optional currency, good at any MFM booth. If you forget to bring cash—or run out—use your credit or debit card to purchase Market Bucks at the information table. Market Bucks can be saved and redeemed at a later date. Cooking Gurus: The market can be a...
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Friday weather update -- no pet-sitting tomorrow, 5/1, but plenty of food, gifts and entertainment otherwise! Hope to see you tomorrow, rain or shine.
Don't let the weather forecast cloud this fabulous weekend! There's just too much to do to be rained out.
Start the month of May off right with a trip to the Downtown Memphis Farmers Market. This Saturday we're celebrating our "official" 5th anniversary -- even though the 2010 season started two weeks ago, this time five years...
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Sunday was the perfect day to be outside at the Down to Earth Festival at Shelby Farms Park. Approximately 15,000 people from all over the Mid-south gathered to fly kites, check out the booths and learn more about recycling. MFM was proud to be among the booths supporting this great event.
While many of the faces coming by the booth were familiar, we were excited to introduce so many new people to the market. We handed out 500 seed packets to attendees and added many to...
Monday, April 26, 2010
Saturday the forecasters definitely got it right; rain, thunder and lightning, oh my! But despite the sometimes light, sometimes drenching raining that continued throughout the morning, the market didn’t miss a beat. Thirty-five vendors set up booths under the pavilion, and market-goers flocked to fill their reusable bags with strawberries, bok choy, eggs and much more.
When asked what brought them from their dry homes to the wet market, most pointed to a favorite booth...
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Ashley Donati, with her son Franklin
Customer Profile
Name: Ashley Donati
Neighborhood: Midtown
How long have you been coming to the Memphis Farmers' Market?: Since it opened in 2006
What is your favorite thing about MFM?: Seeing people I know, getting to know the vendors, and supporting local farms.
Fun Fact: Ashley just joined a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) owned by Whitton Farms.
Jill and Keith Forrester
Vendor Profile
Name:...
Thursday, April 22, 2010
It’s a busy week in Memphis – Dinner Tour , City Hall Mini Farmers Market , Earth Day celebrations, and the early days of festival season – but take a short time out for this cool news: The café at the Memphis Farmers Market has gone green!
That’s right, the food and beverage cart (lovingly referred to as “The Beast” by those who have to move it into place every Saturday morning) now wholly features biodegradable, compostable, and locally sourced products.
Let’s...
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Felicia Suzanne Willett (pictured) , owner of the popular Felicia Suzanne’s restaurant in downtown Memphis, kicks off the 2010 Memphis Farmer Market Dinner Series this week. Here's her insight into what it takes to “ Dish it up Local ”:
What was your inspiration to become a chef?
I have a long history with farming and cooking. Growing up in Arkansas, my grandmother used to make these huge family Sunday dinners; she’d use her china and crystal and make it a...
Sunday, April 18, 2010
On Saturday, the opening day of the Memphis Farmer’s Market, chef Jennifer Chandler conducted a demonstration of spring salads. Chandler is the author of Simply Salads: More than 100 Delicious Creative Recipes Made from Prepackaged Greens and a Few Easy-to-Find Ingredients , which was published in 2007.
Salads are ideal for spring, since greens are cool-weather crops. In addition to her demonstration of spring salads, Chandler also advocated making homemade salad dressings to go...
Thursday, April 15, 2010
MFM: Tell us what's in store for Memphis Farmers Market goers in 2010.
Maryanne: MFM patrons will be in for an amazing market season. The growers andproducers are pushing the growing season, planting a larger variety of earlier springand late fall crops. This means that there are even more product options thanever before. Our vendors are producing more and more quantities toaccommodate the later market shoppers as well. You need to seek out thenew and different this...
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
This Saturday, April 17th, is Opening Day for the 2010 Downtown Memphis Farmers Market season. We know you've waited patiently for the market to start again, and with just a matter of days to go it's hard to fight the excitement!
Got questions about healthy eating? Great spring recipes? What to do with all that tasty produce you just bought? Dietician Jamie Bailey can help! She'll be at the Harvesting Good Health table from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday. Stop by and see her -- but first...
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Memphis Farmers Market wants to help get the word out to support the WEVL FM 89.9 Spring Pledge Drive
From their Facebook page...
Please join us April 9-17 for 9 days of special programs, live music, and "thank you" gifts as WEVL celebrates 34 years of volunteer-powered, listener-supported radio!We're counting on listeners like YOU to pledge your support so we can continue to bring you the eclectic and entertaining programming you love.Don't wait . . . please...
Sunday, March 21, 2010
From the Center City Commission website, downtownmemphis.com
The League of
American Bicyclists is promoting Bike-to-Work day on Friday, May
21, and for the first time, Downtown Memphis is proud to be a part of this
national initiative! From Anchorage, Alaska to Tallahassee, Florida, hundreds of
cities across the country will participate in this day to rediscover the bicycle
as a viable means of transportation!We believe that bicycles are ideally
suited for getting...
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Join Kat Gordon, owner of Muddy's Bake Shop, Jason Doty, owner of Crave Gourmet, and others in their movement to support Memphis area eateries and locally sourced ingredients. You'll find ingredients from the farmers market on several of these menus.
"To me, Memphis is a place that makes me think of food, and then it makes me feel bad for the people that don’t get to eat like I do. Again, to me, what makes the food special is that it has character, breeds...
Friday, March 12, 2010
You can find Neola Farms Black Angus Beef featured on the menus of several local area restaurants. Mike and Charline Lenagar, owners of Neola Farms also sell their beef at Memphis Farmers Market, every Saturday, starting April 17th. Stop by and say hi to Mike and he'll tell you all about how he brings the delicious gourmet beef to market.
View article in Memphis Daily News
Neola Farms has been owned and operated by Mike and Charline Lenagar for the past 25...
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Get more event details in our market calendar
April 17th
Spring into Greens
Kids can start their own salad bar with a lettuce planting workshop featuring the Memphis Botanic Garden. Kids don't miss how to grow your own little salad bar with
early Spring greens like loose leaf lettuces, arugula, mesclun mix, buttercrunch and bib lettuce heads, spinach,...
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Jill and Keith Forrester of Whitton Farms, one of the first vendors to sell at Memphis
Farmers Market, are expanding their business with a retail and
wholesale outlet, The Trolley Stop Market, at 704 Madison. On
the retail side, The Trolley Stop will offer produce and flowers from
Whitton Farms, along with the work of local artisans, potters, bakers
and other farmers as well as meat from locally raised livestock."We've got close to 40 vendors that have committed to our store," Jill...
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Here's a
little chatter about what's going on lately in the Memphis Farmers
Market's neighborhood. What do our fans think would be the best use of
the adjacent lot and the land that has housed the Merchants Warehouse
Company building?
From Downtown Memphis Download Feb 18th
"They
are finally demolishing the old, abandoned Merchants Warehouse Company
building (South Front and Georgia Ave) and appear to be going back to
plans I saw in 2006/2007 where...
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Rain and a late-winter chill didn't stop us from heatin' up Beale Street’s Kings Palace Café!
On Sunday, Feb. 21st, local musicians, volunteers, and Market supporters turned out for the first-ever Memphis Farmers Market Musicians Reunion Jam. The Jam -- which started as a brainstorm between MFM board members Jeanne Bleu (Entertainment Committee chair) and Mac Edwards (Restaurant Committee chair) -- featured several Market favorites.
Video
Photos
...
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Pamela Denney with Memphis Flyer covers the 2009 MFM Harvest Celebration .
"Hundreds of supporters gathered at downtown's Central Station Sunday evening for Harvest Celebration, the Memphis Farmers Market annual fund-raiser. It was quite the culinary event: tasting stations from 20 of the city’s leading restaurants, lots of wine (thank you, Star Distributors and A.S. Barboro), and a unique auction for fun food stuff like pick-your-own strawberries, a party patio at Hunt Phelan,...