Liberty Lake Farmers' Market

Wow, it has been a long time since I've posted on this blog.  But trust me it isn't because things aren't happening. Because they most definitely are. The Market is going wonderfully this year.

 I recently got a question from a Local Harvest Viewer that was wondering about where to get cucumbers to make pickles.  I thought I'd share my response with you...

 Humm....

Try Strawberry Hill

Or Fresh Start Produce...  927-3373

Remember to use a research based recipe for canning pickles, and don't forget to adjust your processing times for altitude. You can find your altitude here

http://www.earthtools.org
or

http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/elvation.htm

And you can find research based recipes in the most recent Ball Blue Book or at the National Center for Home Food Preservation site. 

To make sure your pickles don't turn out soft make sure you take a little slice off of each end.  The stem doesn't do well for crisp pickles.  Also the water you use can effect this.  People typically have best luck with hard water.

If you use lime to get your pickles crisp be sure to use as directed in the recipe and get it all rinsed off. 

I hope you find some cukes.

 

June is Here.

Our farmers are busy at work. After reading this article from the New York Times called Bowlfuls of Lettuce I was reminded of the hard work that goes into farming.

The Farm Chicks Show has been on my calendar for months and is now just around the corner. The Farm Chicks have the motto, Live Well, Laugh Often, Junk Much. But junk much has nothing to do with junk food. They recently released a cookbook where they change it up to say Cook Much. But the cutest thing is a bag they have that says To Market. After going "To Market" you may want to put the show on your calendar for this Saturday or Sunday.

There are so many June events that encourage us to get outside. Some outside things that are on my calendar for June are the Liberty Lake Yard Sales (6/13), the Coeur d'Alene IronMan (6/21), Hoopfest, and of course the Market.

We are very excited to welcome new vendors to the Market for 2009. When vendors express interest in the market they ask lots of questions. Some are more willing to take the risk than others. But sometimes we have to say, “You have to take a leap of faith just like every other vendor has in the past.” We can’t make any guarantees to our vendors. But you, the customer, can. Please get to know our new vendors and buy something (even if you’ve never tried it before) from them this season.

C & S Hydro-Huts… Hydroponic Lettuce from Otis Orchards
Cascade Creek Farm… Sustainable beef and pork from Idaho
Garden Gate Growers… Nursery plants from Kettle Falls
GreenWave Gardens … Organic fruits, vegetables, garlic, and nuts (starting in June)
Harvey Creek Boer Goats… Goat meat (starting in June)
PureHeart…Unique Artsoaps (first Saturdays)
Quail Ridge Ranch … Goat meat (starting in June)
Stacy Blowers… Chocolate, Preserves, and Aprons
Tall Grass Farms … Eggs, Flowers, and more
Tearmann Realtai Farm & Bakery… Veggies and angora wool
Winiecki Honey… Just honey
Chukar Dave's All Natural Herbal Seasoning … Yummy seasoning
White Cane Sockeye Salmon … Salmon from Alaska
Thistledown Farms … Fibers, yarns and more (starting in June)
ThrowDown Pottery … Pottery

2008 was the best year that the Liberty Lake Farmers’ Market had seen since it opened in 2001. But 2009 looks even better.

Here’s what the numbers look like so far going into opening day…

Total vendors 2008: 35
Total vendors 2009: 42

Farmers 2008: 18
Farmers 2009: 24

Market Days 2008: 22
Market Days 2009: 23

Events 2008: Italian Festival, Pie Festival
Events 2009: Art at the Market, Italian Festival, All Things Theater, Pie Festival

Join us at the Market for a great year.

Each week I'll try to keep you posted on which vendors are going to be at the Market with a little Who's In, Who's Out post.

For opening day...

Who's In:
Bouzies Bakery
Chukar Dave's All Natural Herbal Seasonings
Liberty Lake Soap
Maggie's Garden
Mary Richardson's Country Pot Pies
Natural Start Bakery
Rocky Ridge Ranch
S & P Homestead Farm
Silvia's Designs
Small Planet Tofu
Susie David's Cattle Co.
Taza
Tonnemaker Hill Farm (Certified Organic)
Wooden Eagle
Xao Vang
Pacific Produce
Lenny's Juan in a Million, Jalapeno Jeaven
White Cane Sockeye Salmon
Leisure Lavender
The Barn on Trezzi Farm
C&S Hydro-Huts
Garden Gate Growers
The Herb Garden
Tall Grass Farms
Tearmann Realtai
Winicki Honey
Throw Down Pottery

Who's Out:
Sidewalk Floral and Produce
Cascade Creek Farm
GreenWave Gardens
RiverView Gardens
Harvey Creek Boer Goats & Quail Ridge Ranch
Crepe Café
Fresh Start Produce
Jim Lloyd's Orchard
BitterSweet Bakery
Graham's Garden Goodies
Thistledown Wools
Liberty Lake Wine Cellars
Maple K Farms
aNeMonE Handmade Paper Flowers

If you use Google Calendar you can add the Liberty Lake Farmers’ Market and set a reminder to come to the market here.

Someone from the press was writing an article about the Market and asked me how the current economic situations were affecting us.

This is my take on it so far…

The economy doesn't seem to be hurting farmers' markets across the state. The Seattle Neighborhood Farmers' Market Association operates 2 year round urban markets that saw a large increase in sales this winter from last winter. 25 markets in the state got a grant from the Local Farms Healthy Kids bill to accept food stamps and credit and debit cards at their market. This is also a big draw to markets despite the economic challenges. 5 of the markets that got the grant funding are located in Spokane County. The Liberty Lake Farmers' Market didn't apply for the grant funding because of the additional staffing needed to facilitate such a program, but we are encouraging our vendors to look into credit and debit options for their businesses.

I don't think the economic uncertainty poses a threat for the Market. People are staying closer to home and enjoy visiting with their neighbors and the atmosphere that the Market offers. Part of the Market's vision statement says this, "We believe there is benefit from spending money and time within one's own community rather than exporting value to the outside." Our customers also generally have the same mindset. The Market is a wholesome gathering place that helps to create and enhance the culture of Liberty Lake. The Market has a lot of good things that make it appealing to customers. Live music every Saturday is one of those things and it starts with a bang, the Greenacres Elementary Marimba band on opening day. Good parking is another one of those things. We have had a good relationship with STA since the Market started and between the STA parking and parking at local businesses customers that are coming by car don't have to worry about a high-stress situation when finding a parking space or a dangerous situation when unloading their kids into strollers. We also put out tables and chairs for our customers which are a great perk. The Adirondack chairs were a big hit last year and we have already purchased more for this year.

We are committed to add value to our local community through economic development. The Market is a type of small business incubator. Just what we need in times of economic uncertainty.

 We're blogging.

We’ll try to keep you up to date regularly, but things get kind of busy when the Market is in full swing. We will also be posting our blog posts at: http://libertylakemarket.blogspot.com/