I’ll get to what’s in at the LFM…but let’s, for a minute, talk about what needs to be out. So let’s talk trash…as in plastic waste.
This just in: July has been officially designated “Plastic Free Month”. About time, I’d say, to kick the petrochemical habit. The earth is drowning in the stuff. Literally. It took us a few decades but we’re finally coming around to the inconvenient truth that we need to make some real and often difficult changes…NOW!
Petro dependence may be a hard habit to break, but we here at the LFM are doing our part to help. The Manager’s tent has its usual supply of those bright green insulated totes and the more commodious LEDC tote bags; both can be purchased for as little as $5 (2 for $8). But, while supplies last, here’s an offer you shouldn’t refuse: you can own one of a limited edition, garden-print cloth tote, stitched up by a loyal LFM shopper, for the low low asking price of $1 (or more if you can) donated to the Community Cupboard jar. BOOM! Help save the earth…help stamp out hunger. Thank you. I’ll even throw in a market buck. Net zero.
Back to our regularly scheduled programming:
Seems like July, with some help from the steam oven that was June, had a jump start on crankin’ out the groceries. Already we’ve been able to enjoy sweet sweet corn, bowling-ball-weight ‘lopes and juicy peaches…both the old-school clingstones and the newer doughnut varieties. About that…the new-fangled squat shape has its mess-averse followers, for sure, but I say it isn’t summer ’til that peachy nectar is coating your forearm like fine shellac. Choose your game.
Potatoes are also here well ahead of last year’s crop, when too much rain spoiled the spuds. Baked, boiled or hashed: you can’t go wrong when you add in some crunch, but who doesn’t agree that potato salad is king of any summer celebration? But, you say, all that mayo sitting out? Ptomaine and tummy issues? Relax. Things have changed since granny did the mixing. Today there are a ton of non-mayo recipes for potato salads that can safely stay in your own backyard or hit the road to the beach. And you don’t even have to peel the potatoes! Fiber!
Add to that a promising (so far) tomato crop that will only get better as the big beefsteaks start rolling in. In the meantime, who doesn’t love the cartons of jewel-toned minis that are the bomb this year? Perfectly bite sized, perfectly delish au natural, but tossed with some primo EVOO and fresh basil…madonna! Try tossing them in to roast with chicken or fish…or chopped and served up on a pizza. Bellisimo! This concludes our Italian lesson.
To help you with this week’s shopping list:
Food & More: Big Sky Bread, Fruitwood Farms, Herrcastle Farm, Mitchell & Mitchell Wines, MyHouse Cookies and Pies, Potato Homestead, Wilson’s Curiously Good Foods, Amazing Acres Goat Dairy, Lemon Cello, Conshohocken Brewing Company, Firehouse Donuts, Kay Way Juice, Lucille’s Grand Daughter, Red Brick Craft Distillery, Yaya’s Caribbean Cuisine, Relishing Grannies, The Icery, The YMCA.
In the Music Tent: TBA
Artist of the Week: G. Althouse Leather-works George designs and creates useful and unique items for you and everyone you know…great for gifting.
Health & Beauty: Christine Fierras is the Essential Herbalist
Community Days: This popular recurring event is happening 4 more times this season. If you are a local small business, organization or hobbyist, this is a great way to get “discovered.” Spaces are limited and fill up quickly…so don’t wait. Go here now to sign up for a slot.
Remaining Community Days
July 27 – filled
August 31
September 28
October 26
See you at the Market!
Terry Baraldi