Farmer's Market #2

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2012

Farmer's Market #2

This week at the farmer's market we got more of the same. Squash was everywhere 

and there was a trickling in of tomatoes. I even treated myself to an Izzie's Ice 

while I walked around. The ice is made by two sisters who use real fruit! 

Steve and I split a large, with three scoops of strawberry, watermelon, and mango. 

The mango was far and away my favorite flavor. Mango just feels like summer.

This week's CSA from Flying S Farms

After my post last week, I received additional information about the market from Amy 

who's family (Delvin Farms) started the East Nashville Farmer's Market 6 years ago (I was way off). This is what she has to say about ENFM:

The market was started 6 years ago by Delvin Farms to provide healthy food 

to the East Nashville community. It started in the parking lot of the Turnip Truck 

but quickly outgrew that space.  We strive to make it an organic market, but do 

allow a few conventional produce farms who grow their own produce. 

The farmers who grow the food and the people who make the goods 

are present at our market- there are no re-sellers.  

Vendors who are certified organic or certified naturally grown 

get 10% off their vendor fee. We are the first market in Nashville to accept 

EBT/Food stamps as a whole. Customers can also use their debit card 

at the market info booth to get "cash" in the form of wooden nickles to spend 

with the vendors. It has become very popular and allows customers to buy 

what they need with vendors who may be unable to accept credit or debit cards. 

The food stamp program has really taken off as well, and providing healthy 

food in the community (especially the food desert areas) was the goal 

from the beginning. We're currently working with the Martha O'Bryan 

center to provide transportation to the Casey housing residents to the market. 

The center also brings out groups of children and teenagers once a season 

to learn about vegetables, how they are grown and to meet the farmers 

who grow them. Delvin Farms has paid for the market for the past 5 years 

(insurance, rent, live music, etc), but this year the market is beginning 

to pay for itself! We're pleased that it has become a popular market, 

not only because it is finally becoming self sustaining, but because our goal 

of making it a community market, providing good produce and locally grown, 

producers only market has reached its goal!

This week's basket contained lots of squash, onions, green and yellow cucumbers, 

lettuce and green beans. The green beans were the standout of the box. 

I just boiled them lightly for 8 minutes and they were perfect- nothing needed to be 

added to the naturally sweet taste. This week I tried a very southern style 

squash casserole in order to use everything up. 

It contained lots of butter and cheese so it wasn't very good for my waistline, 

but boy was it delicious. I have a feeling the squash casserole will be making a reappearance.

This week's splurge purchase was Hawaiian sausage from West Wind Farms. 

They have a large variety of sausage and meat available.

 I guess they are really popular, because when we were at the booth they 

were out of milk and eggs! The sausage was tasty, but I wouldn't go as far as

 calling it Hawaiian. There weren't any chunks of pineapple like I was expecting 

and I didn't really taste any fruit sweetness.  

Don't get me wrong, I loved the sweet brown sugar taste. 

But if you are looking for something tropical and fruity, this isn't your tube of meat. 

I plan on trying some of their other other options this season!