RAIN or SHINE, Farmers’ Market Fans KEEP SHOPPING!

It feels as if every Saturday since the Main Street Farmers’ Market has been open, there’s always the threat of rain.  But it hasn’t stopped the die-hard food lovers from mixin’ it up with the merchants downtown.

You know who you are and we love seeing your faces week after week.

Yesterday for example, the weather started out beautifully!  Dry, sunny and cool, perfect for a day out at market. The merchants started setting up at 7 a.m. and by 7:30 a.m.  shoppers were carrying away bags loaded with goodies. Our block party for food lovers was off to a great start.  The morning ROCKED!  By nine o’clock, Main Street was FULL of food lovers.  The aromas of Roasted Zucchini Quesadillas, grilled burgers and fresh roasted coffee danced with the jazz music over everyone’s head.  Merchants couldn’t blow open their plastic bags fast enough as shopper after shopper indulged themselves on healthy foods and sweet treats.

Then somewhere around noon, the sprinkling of raindrops turned to a downpour in a matter of minutes.  Squeals of laughter echoed through the street as merchants scrabbled to protect their goods, and shoppers ran for the nearest canopy for shelter.

Here’s a free tip for the downtown shop owners, have a canopy installed on your store just for those moments when shoppers need shelter.  Observe the next two photos.  This farmers’ market family had no intention of leaving over a little rain; they were waiting it out.  Then, they noticed the store behind them was open.

Shoppers will be shoppers when you give them an open store. $ca- ching$

Rain is always a blessed event.  At the Main Street Farmers’ Market, it’s a time to huddle a little closer under a canopy and make new friends, shoppers get to know the merchants better, merchants learn what the shoppers are looking for, and we all get to share some laughs with old friends.  But you know, Main Street Farmers’ Market is MORE than a spot for commerce, it’s a growing vibrant community.  An event for whole families to experience together week after week.  It’s the place where children explore new foods and parents have a relaxing stroll while they shop.  Where newly weds and empty nesters plan romantic dinners for two and friends sit on the benches to break bread together.  It’s a safe and fun place to hang for HOURS. *sigh*

RAIN OR SHINE, we can count on the Main Street Farmers’ Market to be open for business and community every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. until October 17, 2009.

Vendors Attending Market, Saturday May 23, 2009

Al Guerra – Jalapeno Sauces, jellies

Bar V Brand – rib eyes, sirloin, club steak, ground beef, pork sausage and will be cooking sausage in the morning and hamburgers for lunch

Danny Arnett – Beef Jerky

Deanna Boggs – Market baskets, gourds, packaged nuts, fruits, trial mix and pecan pie

NEW to MARKET: Debroha Cavanaugh – Cookies, breads, Cinnamon Rolls, Cakes, Pies and more

Fernando Rodriquez – produce

JCS Cookies - Homemade cookies, brownies and specialty dog treats

Jennifer Allison – specialty dips, jellies, and eggs

Patsy Yates – produce

Robert Armor – smoked cheese

Roy Olayo – Homemade tamales, onions, plants

Rusty’s Grass Finished Foods – Beef, Herbal Sorbet desserts

Seven Seas Coffee Roasting Company - fresh roasted coffee, smoothies, cappuccino’s, etc.

Sloans Creek Farm – Beef, lamb, goat, pasture pork, wild-caught salmon

Three Oaks Farm – landscape plants, tropicals, hanging baskets, flowers

Webb’s Farm Fresh Produce delivers cabbage*, collard greens*, Noonday onions*, onions*, Kentucky Wonders green beans, peaches, potatoes, tomatoes (red & green), cucumbers, purple onions*, white onions, cantaloupes, strawberries, squash and more to market.  Marlon Webb will also have peaches from Pitsburgh!

*Locally Grown Produce

Main Street Farmers Market Caviar

So FRESH, so hard to stop eating.

HERE’S ALL IT TAKES

Chunky salad bits

• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained & rinsed
• 1/2 (11 oz) can sweet corn
• 2 small ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 3/4 cup seedless cucumber, chopped
• 1/4 cup purple onion, finely chopped
• 3 green onions, finely chopped
• 2 jalapenos, seeded & finely chopped

• 1 avocado, chopped but wait until the last toss before adding
• Feta cheese, crumbled (Athenos Basil & Tomato flavored is good)

Zesty dressing

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• juice of 2 fresh squeezed limes
• a good pinch of kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1/2 (7oz) can Salsa Verde

Eat Shop and Meet Up With Friends

Main Street Farmers’ Market is more than food, it’s about community.

Keep up with What’s Fresh from the Farm
The early bird gets the worm, and in the case for market shoppers that means all the best products.  Stay updated all week with Facebook updates from market staff and friends.  We’ll let you know what’s happening at the market and what’s just rolled in from the farms.

Become a Fan on Facebook, Join Main Street Farmers’ Market Fan Page.

Keep up to date about events, new vendors, recipes and more with our Main Street Farmers’ Market e-Letter.  Fill in the Stay Connected box with your name and email address.

Vendors Attending Market, Saturday May 16, 2009

Bar V Brand – rib eyes, sirloin, club steak, ground beef, pork sausage and will be cooking sausage in the morning and hamburgers for lunch

CiboVino Restaurant bakes up fresh, crispy baguettes, foccacia bread.

Danny Arnett – Beef Jerky

Deanna Boggs – Market baskets, gourds, packaged nuts, fruits, trial mix and pecan pies

Fernando Rodriquez – produce

HCMH – Memorial Physician Services

Hopkins County Extension office - demo – Homemade seasoning mixes with herbs and spices

JCS Cookies – Homemade cookies brownies and dog treats

Jennifer Allison – dips, eggs

Patsy Yates – produce

Robert Armor – smoked cheese

Rusty’s Grass Finished Foods serves up chirizo, German, Italian and Polish sausage burgers like no other.  Cool down with frozen sorbets in amazing flavors such as, Triple Lemon, Spiced Wine, Lavendar, Rosemary Chablis, and on and on.  OH! And a slice of his Peanut Butter Pie will make you weak in the knees!

Seven Seas Coffee Roasting Company – coffee, smoothies, cappuccino’s, etc.

SW Farms bakes fresh, sourdough breads in different flavors, along with homemade ricotta, mozzarella and feta cheese.

Sloans Creek Farm – Beef, lamb, goat, pasture pork, wild-caught salmon

Three Oaks Farm – plants, hanging baskets, flowers

Vaughan’s Soap Farm – handmade soaps

Webb’s Farm Fresh Produce delivers broccoli*, cabbage*, collard greens*, onions, Kentucky Wonders green beans, peaches, potatoes, tomatoes (red & green), cucumbers, purple onions*, white onions, cantaloupes, strawberries, squash and more to market.  Marlon Webb will also have some peaches from Grand Saline, but he won’t have many, so early birds will get the peach!

*Locally Grown Produce

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