SoCo Farmers' Market Newsletter 09-28-12

Dragon Fruit

Tis the Season to Eat Farm Fresh!

Fall is creeping up on us, bringing with it a change in our farmers’ market offerings and our farmers. The change in season is bittersweet, as we say good bye to our beloved Sweet Tree Farms, yet say hello to Pedro’s Farms. 

Last Saturday we welcomed our new Certified Organic, local farmer, featuring organic avocados, butternut squash, and dragon fruit. This Saturday you’ll fall for our organic apples and pomegranates from Atkins Nursery and Fruita del Sol, and Blackberries and raspberries from Gaytan Family Farms. Taste the Season, isn’t it yummy?

Best Farmers Market - 3rd place!
We think we are hot stuff after being voted one of The BEST Farmers Market in Orange County! And we are happy to dedicate our win to you, our farmers’ market fans. Read the article by Lou Ponsi. And what does he list as our “Claim to Fame”? ”Open since 2010, the SoCo Farmers Market is a certified farmers market – meaning the farmers grow the produce and sell it directly to consumers”. SoCo is where the foodies go, and where you Shop. Eat. Local.

Family Fitness Day at the Market This Saturday!
As part of our National Family Fit Day, Dr. Linda Clinard returns to the Kiddie Corner with her Family Time Reading Fun! She offers free story time for kids this Saturday at the farmers' market with reading and activities at 11am and 12pm that focus on fitness and action. 

Living Fit OC will also be sharing tips and doing demos on living fit, and the info booth will be sharing recipes! "National Family Fit Days' purpose is to promote family involvement in physical activity and healthy eating habits, one the goals of our non-profit, Sprouts of Promise. 

                              

Get to Know Menos Farms 

Recently Mark Anderson our Sprouts of Promise Founder, and Elle Mari, the manager of our sister market in Newport Beach headed to the city of Riverside to visit organic farmers, Manuel and Lupe Flores, owners and operators of Menos Farms. Lupe and Manuel grow on a beautiful 4 acre property in a residential area of Riverside with the San Bernardino mountains providing a magnificent backdrop to their rows of organic veggies. 

Menos Farms has been in operation for 4 years and they grow a variety of vegetables including: tomatoes, peppers, several varieties of kale and lettuces, herbs, corn, beets, carrots, strawberries, squash, cucumbers, onions, and so much more. They are certified organic and take great care and pride in choosing only the best organic seeds and starts to grow their delicious fresh food. 

When they asked Manuel and Lupe what influenced them to grow organically, they said health was at the forefront of their minds. They regularly listen to a nutritionist who airs a local program on Spanish radio and took her advice to heart on the benefits of eating a chemical-free, vegetable rich diet. They started juicing their freshly grown fruits and veggies for breakfast each morning and Manuel lost a whopping 20lbs from his new found commitment to healthy eating! They even have all four of their kids drinking some of their favorite juice recipes like: beets, black kale, celery, and pineapple. 

Menos Farms is committed to providing you with fresh and natural produce to help you maintain (or start!) your healthy eating habits just as they do. Trust us, with the planting, picking, and weeding they do by hand each week--there's definitely something to that fresh food to give them so much energy! 

 After walking the fields with Lupe and Manuel and picking a few of our own fresh cherry tomatoes to take home with us, we asked them why you--our loyal Farmers’ Market shoppers, should choose to buy from them. Lupe said, "We grow organic food for health." Enough said! 

Celebrate Health & Wellness

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Join Living Fit OC every month for "Health & WellnessDay" at the Market; a truly unique experience where we bring together local and organic farmers, fitness trainers, yoga instructors, healthy chefs plus much more. We will be conducting all sorts of cooking demos as well as yoga sessions, kid’s activities and giveaways! We also set up exclusive QR Codes -- the little square bar codes you can scan with your smartphone -- on all the stands, so you can scan and find out unique recipes for your favorite produce, as well as how long that particular whole food will be in season. Rain or shine meet us at SoCo Farmers' Market the first Saturday of the month, and at the Newport BeachFarmers' Market the last Sunday of the month. Want to be a vendor? Click here. 

THIS SATURDAY’s SCHEDULE
10:00 Sprouts Demo by Heinz from Around the World Herbs

10:30 Yoga Demo by CorePower- Various yoga techniques to strengthen and relax the mind, body, and spirit. 
11:00 Cooking Demo by Dave Lieberman food writer of OC Weekly
12:00 Cooking Demo by Anais Tangie of Anais+Raya at Picnics Kitchen

1:00 Fitness Demo by Stroller Stride-Various strength training exercises using the stroller and resistance bands. 

ACTIVITIES
Face-painting
Live Music

CELEBRATE OUR BIRTHDAY!

On November 10th we will be 2 years old, and we have quite the surprise waiting for you. So mark that day in your calendar, as we would love nothing more than having you to celebrate with us. We love the way you make us feel and we love this video by Rebel Studios who capture the magic of our market. Take a moment to watch this Farmers' Market Video then share with a friend, and help our market grow!

RECIPES OF THE WEEK

MASH IT UP!

Mash it up with our Mashed Millet and Cauliflower Cake! Millet is an ancient grain, full of protein, nutrients, and fiber too. Add to it cauliflower from Jeronimo at Gaytan Farms, coconut oil, and Alderwood Sea Salt form Savory Spice. This is a kid tested recipe with similar flavors like mashed potatoes, that can be made in advance. There’s 100 and 1 ways for you to mash it up and add SoCo Farmers Market toppings, including an almond meal crust from Hopkins AG. Come to the market to see Anais Tangie demo this dish at 12:00 this Saturday. We will give you a recipe. You just get the veggies.

KNOW (WHAT'S IN) YOUR FOOD

We always encourage you to ask questions and know where your food is coming from. When you get produce and meats at our market you know that it is Certified California Grown produce, and that it is clearly labeled Certified Organic when appropriate. This November California voters will make a decision that could have broad implications for food producers throughout the country: whether or not to require labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food.  Ask questions when it involves what you put in your body, you can choose.  Learn more about Proposition 37.