All photos and text Copyright Sandra Gutierrez, 2009; All Rights Reserved.
There were only good news around Cary, North Carolina, as the rain held up, despite early forecasts for thunderstorms, and as the sun shone for the opening of the Western Wake Farmers' Market http://wwwWesternWakeFarmersMarket.org in the Carpenter Village neighborhood. Thirty vendors, from artisan bakers, to cheese crafters and herb growers gathered in one spot to sell their local products. It has been a long time in coming to the westside of Cary and the public's turnout (over 300 this morning alone), is a sure sign that this community is eager and willing to wake up early on Saturday mornings to support their community and join the locavore movement.
I for one, am excited to welcome this market to my vicinity for more than one reason. Of course, there is the wonderful reality of being able to purchase my week's produce, meats and cheese without having to worry about additives and carbon footprints; but also exciting is knowing that this market was the result of women power. That is right: Women power. This is what happens when a group of mothers and women from one community get together in search of health and community building. This market is the brain-child of Mia South who envisioned a market where families could come together to buy and eat local. She contacted Natalie Hill, who had also began inquiring about forming a farmers' market in Cary; together with another group of ladies that include Juliann Zoetmulder (President), Jennifer Gibbs (Market Manager) and Amy Lee (Vice President), they made it a reality. I say, that's something to get excited about. No government ordered this to happen, no corporation made it so. No, just a group of women with a dream and the dedication to see it through. This is private enterprise and competition at its best. And I for one, am grateful!
Here is a little sampling of what I found today, in hopes that you too, will join the many of us who are shopping local (whether in Cary or wherever you are reading this from).
The Reil family: Tobi, Paul and Paxton selling their scrumptious artisan baked goods. I can attest to their cinnamon buns (impossible to resist when warmed briefly in the oven and the perfect pair to a cup of coffee). German and Scottish ancestry are represented in delicious breads, cakes and pastries.
Jim Pellegrini, who co-owns Muddy Dog Roasting Co. with his wife Debbie, will sell you a mean cup of coffee to go with those pastries (and pounds of locally roasted, organic and fair-trade coffee). He has also partnered with Ron West of Carolina Grits and also grinds the grits he sells at the market(I'll report on those on a later post). In the meantime, read more about this company at: http://www.muddydogcoffee.com
Matt Cronheim, of Eco Farm and his Mom Donna Rhode had beautiful flowers and sweet, plump, local strawberries, chorizo and perfectly sweet Italian sausage, ideal for the breakfast table today (sausage and biscuits are a staple in the South and they are bound to be served with organic eggs for breakfast at my house tomorrow). Matt calls his products "morganic" because, he says: "we go beyond organic". He believes in putting back in the soil what he takes, being careful to rotate crops and enable nitrogen fixing each year (this means, not planting the same thing in the soil all the time, as nutrients are depleted). See, by getting to know your local farmers, there is so much one can learn. Matt represents the best of the sustainable movement in our area.
Look at the beautiful colors of our local radishes! Larry's Heriloom Gardens allows you to purchase harvested plants but if you like to grow your own garden, this is your vendor, carrying pesticide, herbicide and fungicide-free plantings for vegetables and herbs to get yours started.
But of course, if flowers are more your style, then let Michelle Blackley teach you how to plan your own container gardens (or you can purchase them already planted too).
I don't know about you but to me, tomatoes are a sure sign that summer is only around the corner, and early May already signals tomatoes. I found plenty of specimens at the market today:
Jonathan Bullock, owner of Old Sparrow Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina is already growing 1000 tomato plants for his summer offering. He promises to have Heirloom tomatoes, Beefsteaks, Big Boys, Cherry and Romas this season. Today, he offered beautiful green house tomatoes, grown without pesticides.
And Tim and Nancy Bass, owners of
Sunburst Tomato Company offered juicy pesticide-free, greenhouse tomatoes too. They sold me my first green tomatoes of the season and I can't wait to cook with those. Green tomatoes, a Southern delicacy, can be prepared in a variety of ways (hmmm...I've got some recipe development to do with these...)
The Lujan Family. Sandra and Fabian Lujan (pictured here with their son), owners of The Farm Fairy, are originally from Argentina. As more Latinos make their home in the South, they are a welcome addition to our community. They are local bee farmers but ran out of local honey before I could blink my eyes, so I'll have to go back for mine next week. Their artisan breads were delicious. Check them out at: http://www.thefarmfairy.com
Effie Barbee of Durham, NC makes amazing baklava that were quickly running out. Of course, eight (almost nine)-year old Adrian was the most popular vendor today, an outspoken and skilled salesman!
As you continue to shop locally, you will begin to recognize your local food producers. I was happy to see some familiar faces today:
My friends from Roberson Creek Farm. Wendy will be at this market every week, while her mom (whom you met in my last post) will be at the Estes Farmer's Market in Chapel Hill, and Dad, Bobby (standing), goes to the Durhams' Farmers' Market! It runs in the family, isn't that great? Dylan (sitting) is the next generation in training!
Also here in Cary is Coon Rock Farm, with their Organic vegetables, eggs, pasture-raised poultry and meats. We sampled chorizo, sausages, bacon and pork chops. Getting hungry, anyone? Find out more about them at: http://www.coonrockfarm.com
And lucky for us, Hillsborough Cheese Co. is also setting up a spot in Cary's market and my friend Dorian (owner) didn't get tired of handing out samples of his amazingly succulent cheese!
All in all, I'd say the market was a huge success and only the beginning of what is to come. I was particularly pleased to see many families with small children (the future locavores), enjoying a day of community building and delicious food.
I'm sure the organizers must be proud of themselves and so they should be. If you missed it this weekend, join the many who will be visiting the market every Saturday between May-November from 8 am to 12 noon. I'm sure to become a regular. I'm looking forward to seeing you there!
Copyright Sandra Gutierrez, 2009; All Rights Reserved.
