Spring! Spring? Spring!

Spinach_Use
The GREENS are back but come early if you want some!

 

Sweetwater Local Foods Market

Saturday, March 22nd, 2014, 9:00am to 1:00pm
 Mercy Health Lakes Campus
On 6401 Harvey St. at US31/Pontaluna Rd. Exit. 1st Bldg North of Pontaluna Rd.

We accept Bridge Cards Year Round!

 

Spring! Spring? Spring!

 

Save the Date: March 30th Sweetwater Community Spring Gathering!

Stop by the info table this Saturday and grab a ticket for this event – they’re going fast!

Where: Grand Haven Church of the Dunes

When: Sunday, March 30 from 2pm – 6 pm

What: Soups, greens, desserts. Suggested donation: $5, $10 family. Or, free if you sign up for the set-up/clean-up crew!

 

While we know that the market has always been a gathering place for those of us who love and appreciate healthy local food, we thought it was time to sit down and share a meal together as a community. Bill Bobier of Earthscape Farm will be speaking, and the menu will be local, with options for vegetarians.

 

Poster is also here: http://sweetwaterlocalfoodsmarket.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/mar-30-spring-gatherfinal2.pdf

 

Help us Get Out the Guide!

2014 Sweetwater Guide to West Michigan Organic Food!

Claire Schlaff, Project Director for the Sweetwater guide, will be on hand this Saturday with information about how you can help us get out the guide this season! She will also have information about a great Permaculture workshop going on in Montague on May 3rd & 4th.

 

Music at the Market!

One of our very favorite people & a wonderful musician to boot, Kwame Kamau will be holding down a corner at the market this Saturday serenading us with lovely tunes.
Attending this Saturday’s market:

 

Liberty Family Farm & Bakery of Hart

Hoop house Offerings

Yeah!!! Fresh Spinach!

Grass Fed Lamb!

All cuts available!

Bakery Offerings

Breakfast Cookies GFree & Reg.

Spinach & Cheddar Quiche!

Ciabatta Bread

Blackberry Bars

English Muffins

Fresh Bagels

Grain Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Grain Free Breakfast Cookie

Grain Free Banana Bread

Happy Spring !

See you at the market:)

 

Crow Feather Farm of Hesperia

Springtime weather may be a bit behind this year, but not in our hoophouse.  “The little salad greens that could” have not only survived the epic winter of 2014, but are some of the sweetest we’ve ever tasted.  They respond to the bitter cold by producing extra sugars which help protect the leaves from freezing.  We will be offering:

Our baby Brassica salad mix
Tender baby Kale

Fresh, sweet Spinach

Remarkably flavorful Cilantro

We look forward to seeing you all on Saturday!

 

Maple Moon Farm of Shelby

We’re celebrating the arrival of spring with fresh vegetables!

SPRING SPINACH, delicious, cold sweetened spinach picked on the vernal equinox.

CARROTS hidden beneath the snow and straw, we find these tasty  roots

POTATOES

Red LaSoda, Adirondack Red, and Adirondack Blue (this is the last of the Adirondacks for the season)

EGGS

Our chickens are fully free-range.  They have open access to roam and forage on our 40 acres, and they reluctantly venture out in the snow.  They are fed non-GMO feed. (we also gratefully accept empty egg cartons)

DRIED HERBS

Parsley

Sage

Red Pepper Flakes

Whole Cayenne Peppers

HERBALS

Salves:Mama’s All Purpose and Mike’s Muscles Relaxer

Creams: Radiant Beauty and Zen Cream

Teas: Nourish, Restore, and Peace

*we are almost sold out of Peace Tea, again stock up while it’s available

Lip Balm: Michigan Winter balm, and Sova’s Heartsong

We’re opening enrollment in our farm investment program. Last year was a great success and we are looking forward to this growing season.  It’s our version of market-based CSA. Come ask Mike about how you can participate.

 

Five Oaks Farm CSA of Montague

Warm thanks and welcome to everyone who’s signed up to be part of our CSA this year! If you’re interested in becoming a member of our 2014 CSA stop by and talk to us Saturday, we’ll have our brochure and sign up forms with us. Until then check out our new blog here: http://fiveoaksfarmcsa.weebly.com/  See you then!

 

Shady Side Farm of Holland

We will be at market Saturday with 1 and 2 pound bags of our certified organic beans. This week is the last week we will offer Green Flageolet. The rest need to be saved for seed. So get them while you can! Also, we held back a new variety last fall, thinking we would need all of it for seed. We don’t! So we will bring a few bags of this new variety. Stop by and see if you can determine which is the new one. If you guess rightly on the first try (without input from other people), we will sell you a bag of the new beans for $4 (regularly $6), until they are gone.

 

In addition, we’ll have Grassfield Farms raw aged cheeses along in the following flavors: Country Dill, Edam, Fait Gras (a triple cream cheddar), Garlic & Onion, Gouda, Lamont Cheddar, Leyden and Polkton Corners. This week I will also have their limited edition Polkton Spring Herb. It is a Polkton base (a softer cheese) with chives, parsley, garlic and tarragon. Very delicious!

 

Email us by Friday evening if you want something specific along in the wool department (mittens, socks, roving, felting kits), or if you want to buy beans in larger quantities.

 

Shady Side Farm

shadysidefarmmichigan@gmail.com

 

Laughing Tree Bakery of Hart

O yes winter, you can try to hold on, but fate and sunshine will surely be your undoing! Take heart good people, cold or hot, ice or heat, there will be bread.  This coming weekend marks the beginning of The Sweetwater Local market’s every week schedule.  We’ll be there this coming weekend with loaves of Cobmoosa Onion Rye for all those longing for a tasty Reuben sandwich and Chili Cheddar for those brave enough to take their toasted cheese to the next level. We’ll also have loads of the usual suspects including our 100% whole grain Kamut loaves full of great vegetable protein and high in a number of beneficial minerals.

On a market related note, we are looking for one or two enthusiastic folks to help us at market this coming season.  If you or someone you know would like to earn a few bucks and a loaf of bread on Saturday mornings this summer, please let us know here in the near future.  We have been fortunate to work with some extraordinary people over the last few years and would love to broaden our tent a little.

OUR EIGHT WEEKLY VARIETIES:

Homesteader’s Wheat (An extraordinary light wheat bread with a wonderfully chewy crust) $5.00

Oceana Round  ( Rustic Italian country bread) $5.00

Third Coast Three Seed  (Sunnies, Sesames, and Flax in a light wheat) $5.50

The Michigander (made with Michigan-grown whole wheat—dark and soulful) $5.50

Annie’s Raisin Spice (sweet organic raisins, organic cinnamon, and freshly ground cardamon) $6.00

Griff’s 8-Grain (Hearty, hearty! Eight organic grains and a bit of Michigan honey) $6.50

Finn’s Pecan Raisin Pecan (Jam packed with pecans and organic raisins) $8.25

100% whole grain Kamut: Light and moist with a fruity flavor, a great loaf for folks with wheat sensitivities. $6.00

SPECIALTY BREAD BAKE SCHEDULE 

Chili Cheddar   Whoa-homegrown, pickled jalapeno peppers coupled with mild cheddar cheese makes for great flavor with a little kick.  Fresh or toasted, great as an accompaniment to soup or chili.  $8.00

Elbridge Parmesan Olive (Sumptuous parmesan and Kalamata black olives) $8.00

Rustic Baguette  Our interpretation of the classic French baguette.  An excellent partner for your favorite cheese or spread.  They also just look nice sticking out the top of a shopping bag.  Price $3.00

Cobmoosa Onion Rye ( Carmelized organic onions, Michigan rye flour, and a hint of caraway) $6.00

PASTRIES AVAILABLE FOR SATURDAY

Hilltoppers Cookies- Molasses Ginger cookies…A 4oz cookie sweetened with golden molasses and bits of candied ginger)  $2.25 each

Mrs. Moose’s Wangdangdoodlers $2.25 each-Chunks of chocolate and walnuts give this cookie texture into which one can sink their teeth with great fervor.

Deep Mud Brownies $2.75 each* Our brownies are made with extraordinary Callebaut dark chocolate, our own fresh eggs, and Michigan grown organic barley flour—they are amazing!!

Pecan Date Scones

Cranberry Orange Scones

Truly Ginger Scones

Michigan Cherry Scones

BAKER’S DOZEN:  If you order 12 pastries you’ll receive a 13th pastry FREE!

 

Earthscape Farm of Hesperia

We are almost out of beef and won’t have a good supply for 3 weeks.  The steers did not grow much for the whole month of January, and our stock trailer needed to take them to the butcher was snowed in back in the woods.  It took a front end loader and many days to dig back to it!

Steaks: Tenderloin, Porterhouse, NY Strip, RibEye, TBone, Sirloin, Rib, Swiss, Round, Skirt

Stew Meat

Roasts: Chuck, Rolled Rump

Ground Beef 

Short Ribs

Soup Bones

Tongue

We also have some leaf lard for rendering.

VEGETABLES~ Celeriac!

EGGS from our own chickens, fed greens, hay, homegrown whole grains and non-GMO feed.

ORGANIC OLIVE OIL ~ Imported by Higher Grounds in Traverse City.  $15 per bottle!

HIGHER GROUNDS COFFEE ~ New packaging!  The coffee now comes in 12 oz. bags.  I have a few 1# bags remaining.  Certified organic, Fair Trade. Various types, beans or ground, dark or medium roast, full caf, half caf or decaf. Try a cup at the Sweetwater Market table!

  

Meadow View Goat Dairy & Farm of Fremont

New! Marco is our latest creation and we think it will be a hit! Similar to Dutch Kase but pasteurized and vacuum sealed, it comes in Pepper, Sage, Italian & Garlic. Try a sample!

Chevreʹ  Fresh chevre with a nice spreading consistency, perfect for sandwich toppings and cooking. Cherry Capital Foods of Traverse City says  ” The chèvre produced by Meadow View has a pitch perfect acidity on the palate that becomes gently sweet and milky with a grassy note on the finish.”

Seasoned Chevreʹ                                                     

Our fresh Chevre available in your favorite flavorings: Blueberry Vanilla (great on a morning bagel!) Hickory-smoked bacon Bits, Garlic, Italian Herb, & Hot Pepper

Feta                                                                                        

A smooth and creamy feta which is low in salt and rich in fresh goat milk flavor. The brining process gives feta cheese a salty, tangy flavor and a crumbly consistency. Feta cheese can be served as a table cheese, used in baking savory dishes, or served as an appetizer or in salads. The classic Greek salad is made with Feta cheese. In crumbles or cubes for easy slicing.

Dutch Kase                                                               

A Meadow View Dairy original! If you are looking for a nicely aged but milder version of our Tomme, this is the cheese for you. Vacuum sealed without mold and aged at least 60 days.

Tomme de Fremont                                     

Our first aged cheese is quickly becoming a customer favorite! Developed from a French recipe, Tomme is a lower fat mold ripened cheese, aged at least 60 days. This gives the cheese a stronger flavor & firmer texture than the fresh Chevres, perfect for slicing.

Other items from our farm:

New! Homemade Egg Noodles! Made with certified organic flour and our own eggs-YUM!

We’ll also have eggs from our free-range, GMO-free flock.  http://www.meadowviewgoatdairy.com/home

 

Funny Farm of Grant

We’ll have plenty of eggs and will offer a quantity discount: $4 ea, 2 for $7, 3 for $10. Also, dried mushrooms, dried sweet peppers, crab apple jelly, herbs and sea salt and any shallots or onions we might have left.  Barb will be at a craft show along with Apron Lady & Janet, at the Mamreland Church on Fruit Ridge just north of 14 mi Rd.

 

Kasza Sugar Bush of Shelby

Along with our bottled syrup, we have also expanded our line of maple products this summer to include the following:

Maple Cream – this is maple syrup condensed, cooled, and stirred into a beautiful buttery-like spread excellent on bagels, toast, doughnuts, winter squash, or a glaze on meat (esp. fish, and venison). The best thing about this is that it is totally natural only pure maple syrup.

Maple Candy – an excellent treat for someone’s sweet tooth. Simply pure maple syrup cooked down to only sugar and minerals remaining with enough moisture to hold the sugar in beautiful little maple leaf shaped candies.

Maple Granulated Sugar – is much like Maple Candy but without moisture. This can be used in place of white sugar as a natural sweetener along with the maple taste (esp. on oatmeal)

Maple Sugar-Coated Almonds and Pecans – a healthy sweet and crunchy treat.  These make great gifts if they don’t get eaten before that!!!

Please stop by and check out all these 100% natural products for yourself. We would be very happy to answer any questions or visit our web www.kaszasugarbush.com Looking forward to seeing you Saturday!

 

Diana Jancek

Market Manager

 

Friday March 14th Announcements

Sweetwater  Local Foods Market –

What’s New for Friday, March 14,  2014

Hello Friends of Sweetwater

No, this is not your regular Market Email, but we have a few things we wanted to be sure to share this weekend. Tomorrow, Saturday, March 15th, will be the last Saturday that we are closed until after Christmas!

Sweetwater Community Gathering on Sunday, March 30, 2014.

Please see the Poster at link below regarding an event coming up on Sunday, March 30th from 2-6 at Church of the Dunes in Grand Haven.  While we know that the market has always been a gathering place for those of us who love and appreciate healthy local food, we thought it was time to sit down and share a meal together as a community. Bill Bobier of Earthscape Farm will be speaking, and the menu will be local, of course!

Poster is  here: http://sweetwaterlocalfoodsmarket.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/mar-30-spring-gatherfinal2.pdf

Time to Sign Up for Community Supported Agriculture!  This is the time of year we usually have a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Day at the market, but both because of the crazy weather and because there are only two farms involved in CSA this year, we are publishing the information about them in this email.

The most basic answer to the question “What is Community Supported Agriculture?”  is that of eaters supporting growers in the most direct way possible. Members of a farm’s CSA pay up-front ahead of the season when farmers are most in need of money for seed, supplies and equipment. In return eaters are guaranteed a share of the farm’s harvest. The CSA community is one of shared risk and shared reward, empowering both consumers with the knowledge of where their food comes from and farmers with a more secure market for the fruits (and vegetables, leaves & shoots) of their hard work. Please give consideration to one of these farms this season.

 

Funny Farm of Grant

Jim & Barb Loe

13181 Centerline Rd.

Grant, MI

funyfarm@riverview.net

We’ve been farming organically for over 20 years. Going into our 12th year as a CSA farm, we are now accepting new members for 2014 season. Full & half shares available. Call 231-234-8643 or stop by our booth at Sweetwater Local Foods Market for more information.

 

Five Oaks Farm of Montague

Dustin Anderson, Farm Manager

6543 Hancock Rd.

Montague, MI 49437

fiveoakscsa@gmail.com

Although we’ve always grown organically in the almost 30 years we’ve been here, this is our 2nd year operating as a Community Supported Ag farm. We’re accepting applications for both full & half shares and this year we’re also offering a Market Share for those who cannot consistently use a box of vegetables every week. For an application and to learn more about our farm, please visit our farm website at http://fiveoaksfarmcsa.weebly.com/2014-share-application.html

We will also be at Sweetwater Mkt with information, or you can call (231)292-1152.

March 8: Let the thaw begin!

modis-lake-michigan
Ready to lose the snow…..

Sweetwater Local Foods Market

Saturday, March 8th, 2014, 9:00am to 1:00pm
 Mercy Health Lakes Campus
On 6401 Harvey St. at US31/Pontaluna Rd. Exit. 1st Bldg North of Pontaluna Rd.

We accept Bridge Cards Year Round!

 

Sweetwater “winter is almost over” Market Schedule!

March Hours: OPEN March 8th & 22nd, and EVERY Saturday after that.

 

Attending this Saturday’s market:

 

Maple Moon Farm of Shelby

This week we have:

Carrots-super sweet baby winter carrots

Potatoes-Red LaSoda, Russet, Adirondack Blue and Red.  End of season, get them while they’re here!

Eggs-the hens are really enjoying this increase in sunshine, they wander around soaking up the vitamin D.

Herbal teas, salves, and creams.  Check out our herbals for winter skin care.

 

Shady Side Farm of Holland

We will be at market Saturday with 1 and 2 pound bags of our certified organic beans: Black Calypso, Black Turtle, Black Valentine, Green Flageolet, Hidatsa Red, Hutterite Soup, Jacob’s Cattle, Jacob’s Cattle Gold, Marrow, Nuña, October, Pinto, Yellow Indian Woman, and Zebra.

In addition, we’ll have Grassfield Farms raw aged cheeses along in the following flavors: Country Dill, Edam, Garlic & Onion, Gouda, Lamont Cheddar, Leyden and Polkton Corners.

Email us by Friday evening if you want something specific along in the wool department (mittens, socks, roving, felting kits), or if you want to buy beans in larger quantities.

Shady Side Farm

shadysidefarmmichigan@gmail.com

 

Laughing Tree Bakery of Hart

Greetings from Laughing Tree Brick Oven Bakery!

We’ve been studying up on KAMUT these days and have learned some things worth sharing.  KAMUT is actually a trademarked name for Khorasan Wheat.  Khorasan wheat that is sold under the Kamut name is guaranteed to be certified organic, as well as guaranteed to be 99% free of modern wheat varieties (a heritage grain).  It is also non-hybridized and GMO-free (genetically modified organisms).

Khorasan wheat was brought to the United States by a U.S. airman named Earl Dedman who was in Portugal in 1949.  The grain (32 kernels to be exact) was given him by a friend who had recently traveled to Egypt and had found the grain there.  Earl sent the kernels to his farmer who was a grain farmer in Montana.  His father propagated and cared for the seed for many years non-commercially.  In 1977 a graduate student in California named Bob Quinn acquired a jar of the grain with the hopes of developing a commercial market for Khorasan wheat.  In 1990 the KAMUT name was trademarked and the rest, as they say, is history.

According to Kamut International, Khorasan wheat is higher in protein and fats than many other wheats, and is also high in selenium, zinc, and magnesium (higher than modern wheat varieties).

If you haven’t tried our 100% Kamut loaf, it has a wonderful flavor—almost sweet and corny.  It is a naturally leavened loaf with a 20-hour fermentation time.  This fermentation time allows the wild yeast and bacteria to pre-digest the grains rendering them more digestible and more nutrient-accessible for our bodies.  Our five-year-old daughter Annie requests Kamut toast for breakfast every day—with butter, cashew butter, and raspberry jam!

Another note about bread storage:  While we do keep all our breads in plastic bags on our counter for the week, we DO NOT SEAL the Kamut or Michigander as they contain substantial amounts of whole grains.  These breads will mold faster than the others if they are sealed.  For best keeping results, allow these breads to breathe by keeping the plastic bag somewhat open.  If allowed to breathe, these loaves will keep an entire week on the counter.

OUR EIGHT WEEKLY VARIETIES:

Homesteader’s Wheat (An extraordinary light wheat bread with a wonderfully chewy crust) $5.00

Oceana Round  ( Rustic Italian country bread) $5.00

 Third Coast Three Seed  (Sunnies, Sesames, and Flax in a light wheat) $5.50

The Michigander (made with Michigan-grown whole wheat—dark and soulful) $5.50

Annie’s Raisin Spice (sweet organic raisins, organic cinnamon, and freshly ground cardamon) $6.00

Griff’s 8-Grain (Hearty, hearty! Eight organic grains and a bit of Michigan honey) $6.50

Finn’s Pecan Raisin Pecan (Jam packed with pecans and organic raisins) $8.25

100% whole grain Kamut: Light and moist with a fruity flavor, a great loaf for folks with wheat sensitivities. $6.00

Feb 22nd SPECIALTY BREAD BAKE  

Elbridge Parmesan Olive (Sumptuous parmesan and Kalamata black olives) $8.00

Rustic Baguette  Our interpretation of the classic French baguette.  An excellent partner for your favorite cheese or spread.  They also just look nice sticking out the top of a shopping bag.  Price $3.00

Irish Cheddar Peppercorn (Smooth Irish Cheddar accompanied by tongue tingling black pepper).  Price $8.00

Toasted Walnut Batard: (aromatic toasted walnuts lend a lovely nuttiness and a purple hue to this versatile batard) $6.50

PASTRIES AVAILABLE FOR SATURDAY

Expedition Cookies– The kitchen sink including bits of chocolate, coconut, and raisins rolled into whole oats and barley flour.   $2.25 each

 Treehuggers The one and only quarter pound peanut buttery original.  $2.25 each.

Deep Mud Brownies $2.75 each* Our brownies are made with extraordinary Callebaut dark chocolate, our own fresh eggs, and Michigan grown organic barley flour—they are amazing!

Cranberry Orange Scones

Truly Ginger Scones

Michigan Cherry Scones

Pecan Date Scones

 

Earthscape Farm of Hesperia

We will accept advance orders up till 6pm Friday.

BEEF HEART IS ON SALE! $2 PER LB.

Steaks: Tenderloin, Porterhouse, NY Strip, RibEye, TBone, Sirloin, Rib, Swiss, Round,

Brisket

Stew Meat

Roasts: Chuck, Rolled Rump, English, Arm

Ground Beef 

Short Ribs – one of the most flavorful and unappreciated cuts of beef!

Soup Bones & Oxtail

Liver, Heart and Tongue

VEGETABLES~ Celeriac!  Kohlrabi.

EGGS from our own chickens, fed greens, hay, homegrown whole grains and non-GMO feed.

ORGANIC OLIVE OIL ~ Imported by Higher Grounds in Traverse City.  $15 per bottle!

HIGHER GROUNDS COFFEE in 1# bags.  Certified organic, Fair Trade. Various types, beans or ground, dark or medium roast, full caf, half caf or decaf. Try a cup at the Sweetwater Market table!

 

Meadow View Goat Dairy & Farm of Fremont

SALE!!

We have a quantity of FETA & FRESH CHEVRE approaching its “must sell by” date, so for ONE WEEK ONLY we are offering it at 50% off!! Both Feta & Fresh Chevre freeze very nicely, so stock up!

New! Marco is our latest creation and we think it will be a hit! Similar to Dutch Kase but pasteurized and vacuum sealed, it comes in Pepper, Sage, Italian & Garlic. Try a sample!

Chevreʹ  Fresh chevre with a nice spreading consistency, perfect for sandwich toppings and cooking. Cherry Capital Foods of Traverse City says  ” The chèvre produced by Meadow View has a pitch perfect acidity on the palate that becomes gently sweet and milky with a grassy note on the finish.”

Seasoned Chevreʹ                                                     

Our fresh Chevre available in your favorite flavorings: Blueberry Vanilla (great on a morning bagel!) Hickory-smoked bacon Bits, Garlic, Italian Herb, & Hot Pepper

Feta                                                                                        

A smooth and creamy feta which is low in salt and rich in fresh goat milk flavor. The brining process gives feta cheese a salty, tangy flavor and a crumbly consistency. Feta cheese can be served as a table cheese, used in baking savory dishes, or served as an appetizer or in salads. The classic Greek salad is made with Feta cheese. In crumbles or cubes for easy slicing.

Dutch Kase                                                               

A Meadow View Dairy original! If you are looking for a nicely aged but milder version of our Tomme, this is the cheese for you. Vacuum sealed without mold and aged at least 60 days.

Tomme de Fremont                                     

Our first aged cheese is quickly becoming a customer favorite! Developed from a French recipe, Tomme is a lower fat mold ripened cheese, aged at least 60 days. This gives the cheese a stronger flavor & firmer texture than the fresh Chevres, perfect for slicing.

Other items from our farm:

New! Homemade Egg Noodles! Made with certified organic flour and our own eggs-YUM!

We’ll also have eggs from our free-range, GMO-free flock.  http://www.meadowviewgoatdairy.com/home

 

Funny Farm of Grant

We’ll be at market Saturday with Eggs, shallots, herbs, dried garlic, dried  mushrooms and peppers, crab apple jelly, and Barb’s Baubles. The Apron Lady & Janet are also coming!
I am so glad we’ve had some sunny days, I am so done with this winter. At least it’s “spring ahead” this weekend! That always seems to help.
See you Saturday – The Funny Farm crew.

 

Liberty Family Farm & Bakery of Hart

No big surprise, it has been too cold and cloudy for production in the Hoop House.

We will have Pasture Raised Pork-try our Italian brats and breakfast sausage!

Bakery Offerings

Fresh Spinach and Organic Cheddar Quiche  GF and Regular

Italian sausage and Cheddar Quiche

A selection of Gluten Free and Grain Free goodies. We use organic eggs and local syrup in these baked goods.

Morning Glory Muffins

Challah Bread & Ciabatta Bread

Breakfast Cookies and more….

We will be experimenting with some new recipes  and we would love your feedback. Hope to see you at the market!

 

Kasza Sugar Bush of Shelby

Along with our bottled syrup, we have also expanded our line of maple products this summer to include the following:

Maple Cream – this is maple syrup condensed, cooled, and stirred into a beautiful buttery-like spread excellent on bagels, toast, doughnuts, winter squash, or a glaze on meat (esp. fish, and venison). The best thing about this is that it is totally natural only pure maple syrup.

Maple Candy – an excellent treat for someone’s sweet tooth. Simply pure maple syrup cooked down to only sugar and minerals remaining with enough moisture to hold the sugar in beautiful little maple leaf shaped candies.

Maple Granulated Sugar – is much like Maple Candy but without moisture. This can be used in place of white sugar as a natural sweetener along with the maple taste (esp. on oatmeal)

Maple Sugar-Coated Almonds and Pecans – a healthy sweet and crunchy treat.  These make great gifts if they don’t get eaten before that!!!

Please stop by and check out all these 100% natural products for yourself. We would be very happy to answer any questions or visit our web www.kaszasugarbush.com Looking forward to seeing you Saturday!

 

Five Oaks Farm CSA of Montague

Onions are up! Lettuces are growing! Those, of course, are the pampered seeds on our heat mat in our basement growing room, but hey, it’s a start! Our hoophouse froze out, and what the weeks of zero temps didn’t kill the hoophouse being hermetically sealed away from predators allowed the voles to chomp at their leisure and they finished off anything that did survive. We are SO ready for spring!!

We’ve been tweaking our online CSA application, you can see it at http://fiveoaksfarmcsa.weebly.com/uploads/2/5/5/9/25597139/final2014_csa_commitment_form.pdf  If you’re interested in becoming a member of our 2014 CSA we’ll have our brochure and sign up forms at the market tomorrow. Until then check out our new blog here: http://fiveoaksfarmcsa.weebly.com/ Also at Local Harvest at http://www.localharvest.org/five-oaks-farm-csa-M62492 See you then!

 

Crow Feather Farm of Hesperia

If I could attach a video with this market post, it would be SNL’s Mr. Bill being blown away by a harsh winter blizzard (oh noooooo!)  The sub-zero temperatures of the last two weeks have taken their toll – our storage room was FROZEN OUT!  As a result we have no more storage items to offer, and will NOT be attending this weekend’s Sweetwater Market. But the GOOD news is that our hoophouse survived beautifully, and with the sunshine and (slowly) warming temperatures we will have plenty of hoophouse goodies available for the first spring market on 3-22.  See you then!  ~Nic & Carolyn

Sweetwater March Market Schedule!

March Hours: OPEN March 8th & 22nd, CLOSED March 1st & 15th.  We will resume our every Saturday schedule March 22nd.

 

Think Spring – it might help!

Diana Jancek

Market Manager

 

 

Twenty-seven and Counting!

okay winter
Counting the minutes!

Sweetwater Local Foods Market

Saturday, February 22nd, 2014, 9:00am to 1:00pm
 Mercy Health Lakes Campus
On 6401 Harvey St. at US31/Pontaluna Rd. Exit. 1st Bldg North of Pontaluna Rd.

We accept Bridge Cards Year Round!

 

Sweetwater Winter Market Schedule!

February Hours: OPEN February 8th & 22nd. CLOSED February 1st & 15th.

March Hours: OPEN March 8th & 22nd, and EVERY Saturday after that.

 

Attending this Saturday’s market:

 

Maple Moon Farm of Shelby

We finally got a warm up to see what made it through this long cold winter.  Spinach and some kale looks like it is hanging on.  We found a small miracle of fresh salad turnips still sweet and crisp.  Come enjoy!

Potatoes
Red La Soda Potatoes

Adirondack Blue

Russet

Adirondack Red

Gourmet Blend (Adirondack Red and Blue with Yukon Gold)

SALAD TURNIPS

These sweet little treats are FRESH!

EGGS

Our chickens are fully free-range.  The have open access to roam and forage on our 40 acres, and they reluctantly venture out in the snow.  They are fed non-GMO feed. (we also gratefully accept empty egg cartons)

CHICKEN

We raise pastured chickens for meat.  They are also fed non-GMO feed and they forage within a moveable fence.  whole frozen birds $4/lb

Please pre-order by Friday at 8pm.  Call 231-861-2535 or email maplemoonfarm@gmail.com

DRIED HERBS

Parsley

Sage

Red Pepper Flakes

Whole Cayenne Peppers

Herbal Salves, Creams, and Teas

Salves:Mama’s All Purpose, Mike’s Muscles Relaxer (our two best sellers), Andi-Anxiety, Rob’s Relief (nature’s cure for poison ivy), and Breathe Deep

*we are running low on most salve varieties, so stock up now while they’re available

Creams: Radiant Beauty and Patti’s Hard Working Hands

Teas: Nourish, Restore, and Peace

*we are almost sold out of Peace Tea, again stock up while it’s available

Lip Balm: Michigan Winter balm, Peppermint, and Sova’s Heartsong

 

Shady Side Farm of Holland

We will be at market Saturday with our certified organic beans: Black Calypso, Black Turtle, Black Valentine, Green Flageolet, Hidatsa Red, Hutterite Soup, Jacob’s Cattle, Jacob’s Cattle Gold, Marrow, Nuña, October, Pinto, Yellow Indian Woman, and Zebra.

In addition, we’ll have Grassfield Farms raw aged cheeses along in the following flavors: Country Dill, Edam, Garlic & Onion, Gouda, Lamont Cheddar and Leyden.

Email us by Friday evening if you want something specific along in the wool department (mittens, socks, roving, felting kits), or if you want to buy beans in larger quantities.

Shady Side Farm

shadysidefarmmichigan@gmail.com

 

Earthscape Farm of Hesperia

We will accept advance orders up till 6pm Friday.

Last week for PORK!  We will bring a variety of cuts of pork, including A LARGE EASTER Ham, Chops,  Hocks, Spare Ribs.  Make your own lard!  Get your Leaf Lard from us!  The pigs were pastured and fed non-GMO feed since they moved onto our farm when they were a few months old.

BEEF HEART IS ON SALE! $2 PER LB.

Steaks: Tenderloin, Porterhouse, NY Strip, RibEye, TBone, Sirloin, Rib, Swiss, Round,

Brisket

Stew Meat

Roasts: Chuck, Rolled Rump, English, Arm

Ground Beef 

Short Ribs – one of the most flavorful and unappreciated cuts of beef!

Soup Bones & Oxtail

Liver, Heart and Tongue

VEGETABLES~ Celeriac! Last week for Cabbages.  Kohlrabi.  Onions.

EGGS from our own chickens, fed greens, hay, homegrown whole grains and non-GMO feed.

ORGANIC OLIVE OIL ~ Imported by Higher Grounds in Traverse City.  $15 per bottle!

HIGHER GROUNDS COFFEE in 1# bags.  Certified organic, Fair Trade. Various types, beans or ground, dark or medium roast, full caf, half caf or decaf. Try a cup at the Sweetwater Market table!

 

Crow Feather Farm of Hesperia

Yukon Gold, redskin and blue potatoes

Giant kohlrabi

Dried habanero and cayenne peppers

Rutabega

Brighten up your home with dried statice bouquets – beautiful purple flowers will stay colorful for months, to help get through the rest of this long winter!

See you on Saturday!

 

Liberty Family Farm & Bakery of Hart

No big surprise, it has been too cold and cloudy for production in the Hoop House.

We will have Pasture Raised Pork-try our Italian brats and breakfast sausage!

Bakery Offerings

Fresh Spinach and Organic Cheddar Quiche  GF and Regular

Italian sausage and Cheddar Quiche

A selection of Gluten Free and Grain Free goodies. We use organic eggs and local syrup in these baked goods.

Morning Glory Muffins

Challah Bread & Ciabatta Bread

Breakfast Cookies and more….

We will be experimenting with some new recipes  and we would love your feedback. Hope to see you at the market!

 

Meadow View Goat Dairy & Farm of Fremont

 New Cheese!

Marco is our latest creation and we think it will be a hit! Similar to Dutch Kase but pasteurized and vacuum sealed, it comes in Pepper, Sage, Italian & Garlic. Try a sample!

Chevreʹ  Fresh chevre with a nice spreading consistency, perfect for sandwich toppings and cooking. Cherry Capital Foods of Traverse City says  ” The chèvre produced by Meadow View has a pitch perfect acidity on the palate that becomes gently sweet and milky with a grassy note on the finish.”

Seasoned Chevreʹ                                                     

Our fresh Chevre available in your favorite flavorings: Blueberry Vanilla (great on a morning bagel!) Hickory-smoked bacon Bits, Garlic, Italian Herb, & Hot Pepper

Feta                                                                                        

A smooth and creamy feta which is low in salt and rich in fresh goat milk flavor. The brining process gives feta cheese a salty, tangy flavor and a crumbly consistency. Feta cheese can be served as a table cheese, used in baking savory dishes, or served as an appetizer or in salads. The classic Greek salad is made with Feta cheese. In crumbles or cubes for easy slicing.

Dutch Kase                                                               

A Meadow View Dairy original! If you are looking for a nicely aged but milder version of our Tomme, this is the cheese for you. Vacuum sealed without mold and aged at least 60 days.

Tomme de Fremont                                     

Our first aged cheese is quickly becoming a customer favorite! Developed from a French recipe, Tomme is a lower fat mold ripened cheese, aged at least 60 days. This gives the cheese a stronger flavor & firmer texture than the fresh Chevres, perfect for slicing.

Other items from our farm:

New! Homemade Egg Noodles! Made with certified organic flour and our own eggs-YUM!

We’ll also have eggs from our free-range, GMO-free flock. We will also have our Queen Bee Popcorn. http://www.meadowviewgoatdairy.com/home

 

Funny Farm of Grant

This week’s produce list:

Onions! Big red & yellow slicing onions. Italian Cippolinis, SHALLOTS

Eggs! Mixed flock of whites & browns.

New! Funny Farm Jellies! Made from our own apple & pear trees, this week try our Crab Apple Jelly! Pear Jelly from mom’s pear trees coming soon!

Pink Himalayan Sea Salt. Stop by the booth and find out about the health benefits of Himalayan salts. We will also have Garlic Powder & Granules & Celery Seed, certified organic from California and our own dried dill, sweet & hot pepper flakes and dried shitake mushrooms.

Barb’s Baubles. Handmade, one of a kind pieces. Apron Lady & Janet might be here, weather depending.

 

Laughing Tree Bakery of Hart

Hazel Road Rustic and Cobmoosa Onion Rye are on the schedule this week, so if you’re a rye lover this is your lucky moment!

A note about bread storage here.  We always recommend storing bread in a plastic bag or some other closed container on your kitchen counter so as to retain the moisture in your loaf.  This method keeps your bread from drying out and also softens the crust, which will become harder the longer it is exposed to dry air in the wintertime.

See you this weekend!

PRE-ORDER INFORMATION WINTER 2014

We are now taking pre-orders for any quantity of loaves or pastries.  Please send us your pre-order by Tuesday at 6pm for pickup the following Saturday.  We will email you an order  confirmation by Thursday morning. If you haven’t heard back from us by Thursday—Please CALL US—because we will always send you a confirmation if we receive your order!!  Be sure to let us know where you want to pick up your order if we are at multiple locations the Saturday of your pickup.

We are happy to take orders over the phone as well.  231-873-9820

OUR EIGHT WEEKLY VARIETIES:

Homesteader’s Wheat (An extraordinary light wheat bread with a wonderfully chewy crust) $5.00

Oceana Round  ( Rustic Italian country bread) $5.00

 Third Coast Three Seed  (Sunnies, Sesames, and Flax in a light wheat) $5.50

The Michigander (made with Michigan-grown whole wheat—dark and soulful) $5.50

Annie’s Raisin Spice (sweet organic raisins, organic cinnamon, and freshly ground cardamon) $6.00

Griff’s 8-Grain (Hearty, hearty! Eight organic grains and a bit of Michigan honey) $6.50

Finn’s Pecan Raisin Pecan (Jam packed with pecans and organic raisins) $8.25

100% whole grain Kamut: Light and moist with a fruity flavor, a great loaf for folks with wheat sensitivities. $6.00

Feb 22nd SPECIALTY BREAD BAKE  

Hazel Road Rustic:  An old-time New England bread made with organic cornmeal (Michigan grown), rye, and golden molasses.  A bread with a slightly sweet, complex flavor.  Great for french toast or slathered with jam.  $5.50 a loaf.

Cobmoosa Onion Rye ( Carmelized organic onions, Michigan rye flour, and a hint of caraway) $6.00

Elbridge Parmesan Olive (Sumptuous parmesan and Kalamata black olives) $8.00

Chili Cheddar   Whoa-homegrown, pickled jalapeno peppers coupled with mild cheddar cheese makes for great flavor with a little kick.  Fresh or toasted, great as an accompaniment to soup or chili.  $8.00

Rustic Baguette  Our interpretation of the classic French baguette.  An excellent partner for your favorite cheese or spread.  They also just look nice sticking out the top of a shopping bag.  Price $3.00

Pastries available for Saturday

Mrs. Moose’s Wangdangdoodlers $2.25 each-Chunks of chocolate and walnuts give this cookie  great texture into which one can sink their teeth with great fervor.

Hilltoppers (our NEW Molasses Ginger cookies…A 4oz cookie sweetened with golden molasses and bits of candied ginger)  $2.25 each *

Deep Mud Brownies $2.75 each* Our brownies are made with extraordinary Callebaut dark chocolate, our own fresh eggs, and Michigan grown organic barley flour—they are amazing!!

Cranberry Orange Scones

Truly Ginger Scones

Michigan Cherry Scones

Blueberry Scones

BAKER’S DOZEN:  If you order 12 pastries you’ll receive a 13th pastry FREE!

 

Olson Farm of Shelby

Taste of Spring Maple Syrup from my farm, & honey from Lake Effect Apiaries of Shelby. Check them out at lakeeffectapiaries.com.

 

Kasza Sugar Bush of Shelby

Along with our bottled syrup, we have also expanded our line of maple products this summer to include the following:

Maple Cream – this is maple syrup condensed, cooled, and stirred into a beautiful buttery-like spread excellent on bagels, toast, doughnuts, winter squash, or a glaze on meat (esp. fish, and venison). The best thing about this is that it is totally natural only pure maple syrup.

Maple Candy – an excellent treat for someone’s sweet tooth. Simply pure maple syrup cooked down to only sugar and minerals remaining with enough moisture to hold the sugar in beautiful little maple leaf shaped candies.

Maple Granulated Sugar – is much like Maple Candy but without moisture. This can be used in place of white sugar as a natural sweetener along with the maple taste (esp. on oatmeal)

Maple Sugar-Coated Almonds and Pecans – a healthy sweet and crunchy treat.  These make great gifts if they don’t get eaten before that!!!

Please stop by and check out all these 100% natural products for yourself. We would be very happy to answer any questions or visit our web www.kaszasugarbush.com Looking forward to seeing you Saturday!

 

Five Oaks Farm CSA of Montague

We’ve been tweaking our online CSA application, you can see it at http://fiveoaksfarmcsa.weebly.com/uploads/2/5/5/9/25597139/final2014_csa_commitment_form.pdf  If you’re interested in becoming a member of our 2014 CSA we’ll have our brochure and sign up forms at the market tomorrow. Until then check out our new blog here: http://fiveoaksfarmcsa.weebly.com/ Also at Local Harvest at http://www.localharvest.org/five-oaks-farm-csa-M62492 See you then!

 

Scholl Farm of Montague

We will have our GMO-free whole frozen chicken, eggs, and purple potatoes. (We’ll also be one year older, wish the farmer happy 60th for a free cup of market coffee!)

 

Sweetwater Winter Market Schedule!

February Hours: OPEN February 8th & 22nd. CLOSED February 1st & 15th.

March Hours: OPEN March 8th & 22nd, CLOSED March 1st & 15th.  We will resume our every Saturday schedule March 22nd.

 

Drive careful, dress warm and hope to see you at the market!

 

Diana Jancek

Market Manager

 

 

First February Market

ERP_130224_7714
“Hoar Frost and Ground Fog” Ed Post Photography

Sweetwater Local Foods Market

Saturday, February 8th, 2014, 9:00am to 1:00pm
 Mercy Health Lakes Campus
On 6401 Harvey St. at US31/Pontaluna Rd. Exit. 1st Bldg North of Pontaluna Rd.

We accept Bridge Cards Year Round!

 

Attending this Saturday’s market:

 

Maple Moon Farm of Shelby

This week, in honor of one our favorite luminaries, we are having a

PETE SEEGER POTATO SALE!

Red La Soda Potatoes, 25% off when you buy 10# or more

Adirondack Blue, 25% off when you buy 10# or more

Russet

Adirondack Red

Gourmet Blend (Adirondack Red and Blue with Yukon Gold)

DRIED APPLES

We had a bumper crop with apples this year, we are grateful for these preserved treats of fall.  Sliced thin and dried, our own apples are a delicious snack.  No chemicals or sulfites, just apples.

EGGS

Our chickens are fully free-range.  The have open access to roam and forage on our 40 acres, and they reluctantly venture out in the snow.  They are fed non-GMO feed. (we also gratefully accept empty egg cartons)

CHICKEN

We raise pastured chickens for meat.  They are also fed non-GMO feed and they forage within a moveable fence.  whole frozen birds $4/lb

Please pre-order by Friday at 8pm.  Call 231-861-2535 or email maplemoonfarm@gmail.com

DRIED HERBS

Parsley

Sage

Red Pepper Flakes

Whole Cayenne Peppers

Herbal Salves, Creams, and Teas

Salves:Mama’s All Purpose, Mike’s Muscles Relaxer (our two best sellers), Andi-Anxiety, Rob’s Relief (nature’s cure for poison ivy), and Breathe Deep

*we are running low on most salve varieties, so stock up now while they’re available

Creams: Radiant Beauty and Patti’s Hard Working Hands

Teas: Nourish, Restore, and Peace

*we are almost sold out of Peace Tea, again stock up while it’s available

Lip Balm: Michigan Winter balm, Peppermint, and Sova’s Heartsong

ALL SALES ARE AN EXTRA 5% OFF IF YOU SING US A PETE SEEGER SONG (no kidding) Just a few lines will do.  Pete used song to bring people together in the spirit of community, equality, and love-we will miss you.

 

Shady Side Farm of Holland

We will be at market Saturday with our certified organic beans. Did you know that a pound of beans is the equivalent of 3-5 cans of beans? And that you can control what is added to the beans, unlike when you use the canned variety? If you’d like to try beans, but you’ve never cooked them from dry, stop by and talk to me. I’m no chef, and if I can cook beans, you can, too.

In addition, we’ll have Grassfield Farms raw aged cheeses along in the following flavors: Country Dill, Edam, Gouda and Lamont Cheddar.

Email us by Friday evening if you want something specific along in the wool department (mittens, socks, roving, felting kits).

Shady Side Farm

shadysidefarmmichigan@gmail.com

 

Earthscape Farm of Hesperia

We will accept advance orders up till 6pm Friday.

NEW!! PORK!  We will bring a variety of cuts of pork, including Ham, Pork Roasts, Chops, Pork Steaks, Hocks, Bacon, Spare Ribs.  Make your own lard!  Get your Leaf Lard from us!

The pigs were pastured and fed non-GMO feed since they moved onto our farm when they were a few months old.

BEEF HEART IS ON SALE! $2 PER LB.

Steaks: Tenderloin, Porterhouse, NY Strip, RibEye, TBone, Sirloin, Rib, Swiss, Round, Flank

Brisket

Stew Meat

Roasts: Chuck, Rolled Rump, English, Arm

Ground Beef 

Short Ribs – one of the most flavorful and unappreciated cuts of beef!

Soup Bones & Oxtail

Liver, Heart and Tongue

VEGETABLES~ Celeriac! Cabbages.  Kohlrabi.

EGGS from our own chickens, fed greens, hay, homegrown whole grains and non-GMO feed.

ORGANIC OLIVE OIL ~ Imported by Higher Grounds in Traverse City.  $15 per bottle!

New Shipment: HIGHER GROUNDS COFFEE in 1# bags.  Certified organic, Fair Trade. Various types, beans or ground, dark or medium roast, full caf, half caf or decaf. Try a cup at the Sweetwater Market table!

 

Crow Feather Farm of Hesperia

The last of our winter squash, the Butternuts are almost gone!

Plenty of potatoes

Rutabaga

Storage kohlrabi – now that it’s February we are starting to truly appreciate this delicious, versatile vegetable!  Nic loves to eat it raw for the crunch and sweet mild flavor, I think it’s most at home in a comforting winter stew.

Cabbage

See you on Saturday!

 

Liberty Family Farm & Bakery of Hart

No big surprise, it has been too cold and cloudy for production in the Hoop House.

We will have Pasture Raised Pork-try our Italian brats and breakfast sausage!

Bakery Offerings

Fresh Spinach and Organic Cheddar Quiche  GF and Regular

Italian sausage and Cheddar Quiche

A selection of Gluten Free and Grain Free goodies. We use organic eggs and local syrup in these baked goods.

Morning Glory Muffins

Challah Bread & Ciabatta Bread

Breakfast Cookies and more….

We will be experimenting with some new recipes  and we would love your feedback. Hope to see you at the market!

 

Meadow View Goat Dairy & Farm of Fremont

 New Cheese!

Marco is our latest creation and we think it will be a hit! Similar to Dutch Kase but pasteurized and vacuum sealed, it comes in Pepper, Sage, Italian & Garlic. Try a sample!

Chevreʹ  Fresh chevre with a nice spreading consistency, perfect for sandwich toppings and cooking. Cherry Capital Foods of Traverse City says  ” The chèvre produced by Meadow View has a pitch perfect acidity on the palate that becomes gently sweet and milky with a grassy note on the finish.”

Seasoned Chevreʹ                                                     

Our fresh Chevre available in your favorite flavorings: Blueberry Vanilla (great on a morning bagel!) Hickory-smoked bacon Bits, Garlic, Italian Herb, & Hot Pepper

Feta                                                                                        

A smooth and creamy feta which is low in salt and rich in fresh goat milk flavor. The brining process gives feta cheese a salty, tangy flavor and a crumbly consistency. Feta cheese can be served as a table cheese, used in baking savory dishes, or served as an appetizer or in salads. The classic Greek salad is made with Feta cheese. In crumbles or cubes for easy slicing.

Dutch Kase                                                               

A Meadow View Dairy original! If you are looking for a nicely aged but milder version of our Tomme, this is the cheese for you. Vacuum sealed without mold and aged at least 60 days.

Tomme de Fremont                                     

Our first aged cheese is quickly becoming a customer favorite! Developed from a French recipe, Tomme is a lower fat mold ripened cheese, aged at least 60 days. This gives the cheese a stronger flavor & firmer texture than the fresh Chevres, perfect for slicing.

Other items from our farm:

New! Homemade Egg Noodles! Made with certified organic flour and our own eggs-YUM!

We’ll also have eggs from our free-range, GMO-free flock. We will also have our Queen Bee Popcorn. http://www.meadowviewgoatdairy.com/home

 

Funny Farm of Grant

This week’s produce list:

eggs, onions, shallots and herbs and salt and jelly

Onions! Big red & yellow slicing onions. Italian Cippolinis, SHALLOTS

Eggs! Mixed flock of whites & browns.

Jelly!

Pink Himalayan Sea Salt. Stop by the booth and find out about the health benefits of Himalayan salts. We will also have Garlic Powder & Granules & Celery Seed, certified organic from California and our own dried dill, sweet & hot pepper flakes and dried shitake mushrooms.

Barb’s Baubles. Handmade, one of a kind pieces. Apron Lady & Janet might be here, weather depending.

 

Laughing Tree Bakery of Hart

Well, that last market was an adventure!  Our thanks and gratitude to all of you who left the warmth of your homes to risk life and extremity for a loaf of bread!  You are indeed a committed lot and for that we are most honored and humbled.  We enjoyed getting back into the swing of things and experimenting with a few new loaves to be disclosed at a future date.  What we CAN tell you now is that we’ve come up with a baguette with which we’re pretty darn pleased.  Try it this week and do let us know what you think!

Be well, stay warm, and thrive!

PRE-ORDER INFORMATION WINTER 2014

We are now taking pre-orders for any quantity of loaves or pastries.  Please send us your pre-order by Tuesday at 6pm for pickup the following Saturday.  We will email you an order  confirmation by Thursday morning. If you haven’t heard back from us by Thursday—Please CALL US—because we will always send you a confirmation if we receive your order!!  Be sure to let us know where you want to pick up your order if we are at multiple locations the Saturday of your pickup.

We are happy to take orders over the phone as well.  231-873-9820

OUR EIGHT WEEKLY VARIETIES:

Homesteader’s Wheat (An extraordinary light wheat bread with a wonderfully chewy crust) $5.00

Oceana Round  ( Rustic Italian country bread) $5.00

 Third Coast Three Seed  (Sunnies, Sesames, and Flax in a light wheat) $5.50

The Michigander (made with Michigan-grown whole wheat—dark and soulful) $5.50

Annie’s Raisin Spice (sweet organic raisins, organic cinnamon, and freshly ground cardamon) $6.00

Griff’s 8-Grain (Hearty, hearty! Eight organic grains and a bit of Michigan honey) $6.50

Finn’s Pecan Raisin Pecan (Jam packed with pecans and organic raisins) $8.25

100% whole grain Kamut: Light and moist with a fruity flavor, a great loaf for folks with wheat sensitivities. $6.00

Feb 8th SPECIALTY BREAD BAKE  

Elbridge Parmesan Olive (Sumptuous parmesan and Kalamata black olives) $8.00

Toasted Walnut Batard: (aromatic toasted walnuts lend a lovely nuttiness and a purple hue to this versatile batard) $6.50

Chili Cheddar   Whoa-homegrown, pickled jalapeno peppers coupled with mild cheddar cheese makes for great flavor with a little kick.  Fresh or toasted, great as an accompaniment to soup or chili.  $8.00

Rustic Baguette  Our interpretation of the classic French baguette.  An excellent partner for your favorite cheese or spread.  They also just look nice sticking out the top of a shopping bag.  Price TBD

Pastries available for Saturday

Treehuggers The one and only quarter pound peanut buttery original.  $2.25 each.

Hilltoppers (our NEW Molasses Ginger cookies…A 4oz cookie sweetened with golden molasses and bits of candied ginger)  $2.25 each *

Mrs. Moose’s Wangdangdoodlers $2.25 each-Chunks of chocolate and walnuts give this cookie texture into which one can sink their teeth with great fervor.

Deep Mud Brownies $2.75 each* Our brownies are made with extraordinary Callebaut dark chocolate, our own fresh eggs, and Michigan grown organic barley flour—they are amazing!!

Cherry Mud Brownies $3.00 each  Our Deep Mud Brownies infused with Michigan grown, dried cherries.

Cranberry Orange Scones

Truly Ginger Scones

Michigan Cherry Scones

BAKER’S DOZEN:  If you order 12 pastries you’ll receive a 13th pastry FREE!

 

Olson Farm of Shelby

Taste of Spring Maple Syrup from my farm, & honey from Lake Effect Apiaries of Shelby. Check them out at lakeeffectapiaries.com.

 

Kasza Sugar Bush of Shelby

Along with our bottled syrup, we have also expanded our line of maple products this summer to include the following:

Maple Cream – this is maple syrup condensed, cooled, and stirred into a beautiful buttery-like spread excellent on bagels, toast, doughnuts, winter squash, or a glaze on meat (esp. fish, and venison). The best thing about this is that it is totally natural only pure maple syrup.

Maple Candy – an excellent treat for someone’s sweet tooth. Simply pure maple syrup cooked down to only sugar and minerals remaining with enough moisture to hold the sugar in beautiful little maple leaf shaped candies.

Maple Granulated Sugar – is much like Maple Candy but without moisture. This can be used in place of white sugar as a natural sweetener along with the maple taste (esp. on oatmeal)

Maple Sugar-Coated Almonds and Pecans – a healthy sweet and crunchy treat.  These make great gifts if they don’t get eaten before that!!!

Please stop by and check out all these 100% natural products for yourself. We would be very happy to answer any questions or visit our web www.kaszasugarbush.com Looking forward to seeing you Saturday!

 

Five Oaks Farm CSA of Montague

Well, snow or not, the growing season approaches! We’re busy starting greens, onions & a long list of other veggies this week, down in our seed starting room on heat mats. If you’re interested in becoming a member of our 2014 CSA we’ll have our sign up forms at the market tomorrow. Until then check out our new blog here: http://fiveoaksfarmcsa.weebly.com/ Also at Local Harvest at http://www.localharvest.org/five-oaks-farm-csa-M62492 See you then!

 

Scholl Farm of Montague

We will have our GMO-free whole frozen chicken, eggs, and purple potatoes.

 

Sweetwater Holiday & Winter Market Schedule!

February Hours: OPEN February 8th & 22nd. CLOSED February 1st & 15th.

March Hours: OPEN March 8th & 22nd, CLOSED March 1st & 15th.  and after that we will resume our every Saturday schedule again.

 

Drive careful, dress warm and hope to see you at the market!

 

Diana Jancek

Market Manager

 

Winter Market Time!

Winter Scene Theme

Sweetwater Local Foods Market

Saturday, January 25th, 2014, 9:00am to 1:00pm
 Mercy Health Lakes Campus
On 6401 Harvey St. at US31/Pontaluna Rd. Exit. 1st Bldg North of Pontaluna Rd.

We accept Bridge Cards Year Round!

 

WEATHER UPDATE: All vendors listed below plan to attend the market tomorrow. The weather report of high winds and drifting snow may force some late arrivals and even cancellations, but every effort will be made to hold the market as usual. Please check our Facebook page for updates  at www.facebook.com/pages/Sweetwater-Local-Foods-Market/111077177535

Thanks!

 

Attending this Saturday’s market:

 

Shady Side Farm of Holland

We will be at market (weather permitting) Saturday with our certified organic beans. This is bean soup weather! Mike’s Black Bean Soup is easy to throw together, and Black Turtle beans are only $3.00/lb.

Approximately 2 cups dry Black Turtle Beans

1 lb. ground beef, browned with 1 medium onion, chopped

1 pint (16 oz.) salsa (choose your heat)

1 pint (16 oz.) tomato juice

1 or 2 cups water

2 Tbsp. concentrated lemon juice

2 cups frozen corn

1 bell pepper, chopped

3 bay leaves

5 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp. red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

1 tsp. ground cumin

2 tsp. salt

1 cup sour cream

 

Soak and cook black beans until fork tender; drain. Combine beans and browned, drained ground beef with other ingredients and simmer for 30-60 additional minutes. This soup has a healthy kick to it, so adjust to taste.

 

In addition, we’ll have Grassfield Farms cheese along in the following flavors: Country Dill, Edam, Gouda and Lamont Cheddar.

 

Email us by Friday evening if you want something specific along in the wool department (mittens, socks, roving, felting kits).

shadysidefarmmichigan@gmail.com

 

Earthscape Farm of Hesperia

NEW!! PORK!  We will bring a variety of cuts of pork, including BACON!

The pigs were pastured and fed non-GMO feed since they moved onto our farm when they were a few months old.

BEEF HEART IS ON SALE! $2 PER LB.

Steaks: Tenderloin, Porterhouse, NY Strip, RibEye, TBone, Sirloin, Rib, Swiss, Round, Flank

Brisket

Stew Meat

Roasts: Chuck, Rolled Rump, English, Arm

Ground Beef 

Short Ribs – one of the most flavorful and unappreciated cuts of beef!

Soup Bones & Oxtail

Liver, Heart and Tongue

VEGETABLES~ Celeriac! Cabbages.  Kohlrabi.  Onions.

EGGS from our own chickens, fed greens, hay, homegrown whole grains and non-GMO feed.

ORGANIC OLIVE OIL ~ Imported by Higher Grounds in Traverse City.  $15 per bottle!

HIGHER GROUNDS COFFEE in 1# bags.  Certified organic, Fair Trade. Various types, beans or ground, dark or medium roast, full caf, half caf or decaf. Try a cup at the Sweetwater Market table!

 

Crow Feather Farm of Hesperia

Storage crops:

Yukon Gold and redskin potatoes

Onions, limited supply !!

But plenty of Winter Squash… these savory fruits are amazingly nutritious, versatile and delicious!  Sugar pumpkins for baking, Butternuts for their classic sweet taste, and giant Blue Hubbards for canning or freezing.  Squash soup is the perfect dinner for cold winter nights.

Tasty cole crops: Cabbage, rutabega, and kohlrabi

Celeriac (you’ll definitely want one for that soup)

We also expect to bring baby kale salad mix from our hoophouse – but no promises!  We have to see how our little plants handled this polar vortex….!

See you this Saturday!

 

Liberty Family Farm & Bakery of Hart

No big surprise, it has been too cold and cloudy for production in the Hoop House.

We will have Pasture Raised Pork and Lamb- all cuts available !

Pork- cuts, Italian brats and breakfast sausage.

Bakery Offerings

Fresh Spinach and Organic Cheddar Quiche  GF and Regular

Italian sausage and Cheddar Quiche

A selection of Gluten Free and Grain Free goodies. We use organic eggs and local syrup in these baked goods.

Morning Glory Muffins

Challah Bread & Ciabatta Bread

Breakfast Cookies and more….

We will be experimenting with some new recipes  and we would love your feedback. Hope to see you at the market!

 

Meadow View Goat Dairy & Farm of Fremont

 Chevreʹ  Fresh chevre with a nice spreading consistency, perfect for sandwich toppings and cooking. Cherry Capital Foods of Traverse City says  ” The chèvre produced by Meadow View has a pitch perfect acidity on the palate that becomes gently sweet and milky with a grassy note on the finish.”

Seasoned Chevreʹ                                                     

Our fresh Chevre available in your favorite flavorings: Blueberry Vanilla (great on a morning bagel!) Hickory-smoked bacon Bits, Garlic, Italian Herb, & Hot Pepper

Feta                                                                                        

A smooth and creamy feta which is low in salt and rich in fresh goat milk flavor. The brining process gives feta cheese a salty, tangy flavor and a crumbly consistency. Feta cheese can be served as a table cheese, used in baking savory dishes, or served as an appetizer or in salads. The classic Greek salad is made with Feta cheese. In crumbles or cubes for easy slicing.

Dutch Kase                                                               

A Meadow View Dairy original! If you are looking for a nicely aged but milder version of our Tomme, this is the cheese for you. Vacuum sealed without mold and aged at least 60 days.

Tomme de Fremont                                     

Our first aged cheese is quickly becoming a customer favorite! Developed from a French recipe, Tomme is a lower fat mold ripened cheese, aged at least 60 days. This gives the cheese a stronger flavor & firmer texture than the fresh Chevres, perfect for slicing.

Other items from our farm:

New! Homemade Egg Noodles! Made with certified organic flour and our own eggs-YUM!

We’ll also have eggs from our free-range, GMO feed- free flock. Popcorn. Coming soon: Several new hard cheeses!  http://www.meadowviewgoatdairy.com/home

 

Maple Moon Farm of Shelby

We hope you all are enjoying the wonders of this season.  We are so grateful for our wood stove to keep us warm and all these delicious tubers to nourish our bodies.

Potatoes (many varieties and colors)

SALE on Red LaSoda potatoes.  Normally $1 per pound, only .75 per pound when you buy 10 pounds or more.  These store well and are delicious!

Need recipe ideas?  We eat potatoes EVERYDAY, just ask us.

EGGS Our chickens are fully free-range.  The have open access to roam and forage on our 40 acres, and they reluctantly venture out in the snow.  They are fed non-GMO feed. (we also gratefully accept empty egg cartons)

CHICKEN

We raise pastured chickens for meat.  They are also fed non-GMO feed and they forage within a moveable fence.  whole frozen birds $4/lb

Please pre-order by Friday at 8pm.  Call 231-861-2535 or email maplemoonfarm@gmail.com

DRIED HERBS

Parsley

Basil

Thai Basil

Red Pepper Flakes

Whole Cayenne Peppers

Rosemary

Herbal Salves, Creams, and Teas

Salves:Mama’s All Purpose, Mike’s Muscles Relaxer (our two best sellers), Andi-Anxiety, Rob’s Relief (nature’s cure for poison ivy), and Breathe Deep

*we are running low on most salve varieties, so stock up now while they’re available

Creams: Radiant Beauty and Patti’s Hard Working Hands

Teas: Nourish, Restore, and Peace

*we are almost sold out of Peace Tea, again stock up while it’s available

Lip Balm: Michigan Winter balm, Peppermint, and Sova’s Heartsong

 

Funny Farm of Grant

This week’s produce list:

Onions! Big red & yellow slicing onions. Italian Cippolinis, SHALLOTS

Roots! rutabagas, cabbages, big and small.

Potatoes! Choose from 6 or more varieties.

Eggs! Mixed flock of whites & browns.

Pink Himalayan Sea Salt. Stop by the booth and find out about the health benefits of Himalayan salts. We will also have Garlic Powder & Granules & Celery Seed, certified organic from California and our own dried dill, sweet & hot pepper flakes and dried shitake mushrooms.

Back again for gift giving; Barb’s Baubles. Handmade, one of a kind pieces.

 

Laughing Tree Bakery of Hart

YAWN….Well that was a nice little hibernation for we the bakers.  Rested and ready, we look forward to getting back into the swing of bread and pastry production, with a few new twists up our sleeves for the new year.  But more on that later.  For now, suffice it to say that we’ve fired up the oven again in anticipation of the coming weekend when we’ll set up shop at both The Cheese Lady Shop and The Sweetwater Local Foods market.  For all you Newaygo area folk, please check out The Gala Gourmet Kitchen Shoppe where our friend Terrie is not only stocking our bread every Friday, but also furnishing the county with bottles of great wines and dozens of other accoutrements to make for a fab weekend gathering.

Hope to see many of you this coming weekend!

PRE-ORDER INFORMATION WINTER 2014

We are now taking pre-orders for any quantity of loaves or pastries.  Please send us your pre-order by Tuesday at 6pm for pickup the following Saturday.  We will email you an order  confirmation by Thursday morning. If you haven’t heard back from us by Thursday—Please CALL US—because we will always send you a confirmation if we receive your order!!  Be sure to let us know where you want to pick up your order if we are at multiple locations the Saturday of your pickup.

We are happy to take orders over the phone as well.  231-873-9820

OUR EIGHT WEEKLY VARIETIES:

Homesteader’s Wheat (An extraordinary light wheat bread with a wonderfully chewy crust) $5.00

Oceana Round  ( Rustic Italian country bread) $5.00

 Third Coast Three Seed  (Sunnies, Sesames, and Flax in a light wheat) $5.50

The Michigander (made with Michigan-grown whole wheat—dark and soulful) $5.50

Annie’s Raisin Spice (sweet organic raisins, organic cinnamon, and freshly ground cardamon) $6.00

Griff’s 8-Grain (Hearty, hearty! Eight organic grains and a bit of Michigan honey) $6.50

Finn’s Pecan Raisin Pecan (Jam packed with pecans and organic raisins) $8.25

100% whole grain Kamut: Light and moist with a fruity flavor, a great loaf for folks with wheat sensitivities. $6.00

Jan 25th SPECIALTY BREAD BAKE  

Elbridge Parmesan Olive (Sumptuous parmesan and Kalamata black olives) $8.00

Irish Cheddar Peppercorn (Smooth Irish Cheddar accompanied by tongue tingling black pepper).  Price $8.00

Hazel Road Rustic:  An old-time New England bread made with organic cornmeal (Michigan grown), rye, and golden molasses.  A bread with a slightly sweet, complex flavor.  Great for french toast or slathered with jam.  $5.50 a loaf.

Pastries available for Saturday

Treehuggers The one and only quarter pound peanut buttery original.  $2.25 each.

Hilltoppers (our NEW Molasses Ginger cookies…A 4oz cookie sweetened with golden molasses and bits of candied ginger)  $2.25 each *

Deep Mud Brownies $2.75 each* Our brownies are made with extraordinary Callebaut dark chocolate, our own fresh eggs, and Michigan grown organic barley flour—they are amazing!!

Cherry Mud Brownies $3.00 each  Our Deep Mud Brownies infused with Michigan grown, dried cherries.

Cranberry Orange Scones

Truly Ginger Scones

Michigan Cherry Scones

Pecan Date Scones

BAKER’S DOZEN:  If you order 12 pastries you’ll receive a 13th pastry FREE!

 

Kasza Sugar Bush of Shelby

Along with our bottled syrup, we have also expanded our line of maple products this summer to include the following:

Maple Cream – this is maple syrup condensed, cooled, and stirred into a beautiful buttery-like spread excellent on bagels, toast, doughnuts, winter squash, or a glaze on meat (esp. fish, and venison). The best thing about this is that it is totally natural only pure maple syrup.

Maple Candy – an excellent treat for someone’s sweet tooth. Simply pure maple syrup cooked down to only sugar and minerals remaining with enough moisture to hold the sugar in beautiful little maple leaf shaped candies.

Maple Granulated Sugar – is much like Maple Candy but without moisture. This can be used in place of white sugar as a natural sweetener along with the maple taste (esp. on oatmeal)

Maple Sugar-Coated Almonds and Pecans – a healthy sweet and crunchy treat.  These make great gifts if they don’t get eaten before that!!!

Please stop by and check out all these 100% natural products for yourself. We would be very happy to answer any questions or visit our web www.kaszasugarbush.com Looking forward to seeing you Saturday!

 

Five Oaks Farm CSA of Montague

If you’re interested in becoming a member of our 2014 CSA we’ll have our sign up forms at the market tomorrow. Until then check out our new blog here: http://fiveoaksfarmcsa.weebly.com/ See you then!

 

Scholl Farm of Montague

We will have our GMO-free whole frozen chicken, eggs, and purple potatoes.

 

Sweetwater Holiday & Winter Market Schedule!

January Hours: OPEN January 11th & 25th. CLOSED on January 4th & 18th.

February Hours: OPEN February 8th & 22nd. CLOSED February 1st & 15th.

March Hours: OPEN March 8th & 22nd, CLOSED March 1st & 15th.  and after that we will resume our every Saturday schedule again.

 

Drive careful, dress warm and hope to see you at the market!

 

Diana Jancek

Market Manager

 

First market of 2014!

MI UP storm2
We’re chasing away the Polar Vortex, just in time for the market!

Sweetwater Local Foods Market

Saturday, January 11th, 2014, 9:00am to 1:00pm
 Mercy Health Lakes Campus
On 6401 Harvey St. at US31/Pontaluna Rd. Exit. 1st Bldg North of Pontaluna Rd.

We accept Bridge Cards Year Round!

 

Attending this Saturday’s market:

 

Crow Feather Farm of Hesperia

Storage crops:

Yukon Gold and redskin potatoes

Onions, limited supply !!

But plenty of Winter Squash… these savory fruits are amazingly nutritious, versatile and delicious!  Sugar pumpkins for baking, Butternuts for their classic sweet taste, and giant Blue Hubbards for canning or freezing.  Squash soup is the perfect dinner for cold winter nights.

Tasty cole crops: Cabbage, rutabega, and kohlrabi

Celeriac (you’ll definitely want one for that soup)

We also expect to bring baby kale salad mix from our hoophouse – but no promises!  We have to see how our little plants handled this polar vortex….!

See you this Saturday!

 

Earthscape Farm of Hesperia

SHORT RIBS ARE ON SALE!  $3 PER LB.  Regular price is $3.50 per lb. Buy 5# or more, get them for $2.50 / lb.

BEEF HEART IS ON SALE! $2 PER LB.

Oxtail IS ON SALE! $4 per lb., normally $5 per lb.

Steaks: Tenderloin, Porterhouse, NY Strip, RibEye, TBone, Sirloin, Rib, Swiss, Round, Flank

Brisket

Stew Meat

Roasts: Chuck, Rolled Rump, English, Arm

Ground Beef 

Short Ribs – one of the most flavorful and unappreciated cuts of beef!

Soup Bones & Oxtail

Liver, Heart and Tongue

VEGETABLES~ Celeriac! Cabbages.  Kohlrabi.   

ORGANIC OLIVE OIL ~ Imported by Higher Grounds in Traverse City.  $15 per bottle!

NEW SHIPMENT: HIGHER GROUNDS COFFEE in 1# bags.  Certified organic, Fair Trade. Various types, beans or ground, dark or medium roast, full caf, half caf or decaf. Try a cup at the Sweetwater Market table!

 

Liberty Family Farm & Bakery of Hart

Happy New Year! We are looking forward to an exciting year. Unfortunately, it has been too cold and cloudy for production in the Hoop House.

We will have Pasture Raised Pork and Lamb- all cuts available !

Pork- cuts, Italian brats and breakfast sausage.

Bakery Offerings

Fresh Spinach and Organic Cheddar Quiche  GF and Regular

Italian sausage and Cheddar Quiche

A selection of Gluten Free and Grain Free goodies. We use organic eggs and local syrup in these baked goods.

Morning Glory Muffins

Challah Bread & Ciabatta Bread

Breakfast Cookies and more….

We will be experimenting with some new recipes  and we would love your feedback. Hope to see you at the market!

 

Olson Farm of Shelby

Taste of Spring Maple Syrup from my farm, & honey from Lake Effect Apiaries of Shelby. Check them out at lakeeffectapiaries.com.

 

Meadow View Goat Dairy & Farm of Fremont

 Chevreʹ  Fresh chevre with a nice spreading consistency, perfect for sandwich toppings and cooking. Cherry Capital Foods of Traverse City says  ” The chèvre produced by Meadow View has a pitch perfect acidity on the palate that becomes gently sweet and milky with a grassy note on the finish.”

Seasoned Chevreʹ                                                     

Our fresh Chevre available in your favorite flavorings: Blueberry Vanilla (great on a morning bagel!) Hickory-smoked bacon Bits, Garlic, Italian Herb, & Hot Pepper

Feta                                                                                        

A smooth and creamy feta which is low in salt and rich in fresh goat milk flavor. The brining process gives feta cheese a salty, tangy flavor and a crumbly consistency. Feta cheese can be served as a table cheese, used in baking savory dishes, or served as an appetizer or in salads. The classic Greek salad is made with Feta cheese. In crumbles or cubes for easy slicing.

Dutch Kase                                                               

A Meadow View Dairy original! If you are looking for a nicely aged but milder version of our Tomme, this is the cheese for you. Vacuum sealed without mold and aged at least 60 days.

Tomme de Fremont                                     

 Our first aged cheese is quickly becoming a customer favorite! Developed from a French recipe, Tomme is a lower fat mold ripened cheese, aged at least 60 days. This gives the cheese a stronger flavor & firmer texture than the fresh Chevres, perfect for slicing.

Other items from our farm:

Eggs from our free-range, GMO feed- free flock. Popcorn. Coming soon: homemade pasta & a few new hard cheeses!

 http://www.meadowviewgoatdairy.com/home

 

Maple Moon Farm of Shelby

We hope you all are enjoying the wonders of this season.  We are so grateful for our wood stove to keep us warm and all these delicious tubers to nourish our bodies.

FALL VEGGIES

Carrots, super sweet and tasty 

Potatoes (many varieties and colors) 

SALE on Red LaSoda potatoes.  Normally $1 per pound, only .75 per pound when you buy 10 pounds or more.  These store well and are delicious!

Need recipe ideas?  We eat potatoes EVERYDAY, just ask us.

EGGS

Our chickens are fully free-range.  The have open access to roam and forage on our 40 acres, and they reluctantly venture out in the snow.  They are fed non-GMO feed. (we also gratefully accept empty egg cartons)

CHICKEN

We raise pastured chickens for meat.  They are also fed non-GMO feed and they forage within a moveable fence.  whole frozen birds $4/lb 

Please pre-order by Friday at 8pm.  Call 231-861-2535 or email maplemoonfarm@gmail.com

DRIED HERBS

Parsley

Basil

Thai Basil

Celery Leaf

Red Pepper Flakes

Whole Cayenne Peppers 

Rosemary

Herbal Salves, Creams, and Teas

Salves:Mama’s All Purpose, Mike’s Muscles Relaxer (our two best sellers), Andi-Anxiety, Rob’s Relief (nature’s cure for poison ivy), and Breathe Deep

Creams: Radiant Beauty and Patti’s Hard Working Hands

Teas: Nourish, Restore, and Peace

Lip Balm: Michigan Winter balm, Peppermint, and Sova’s Heartsong

 

Shady Side Farm of Holland

We will be at market with certified organic beans, felting kits, wool dryer balls, wool roving, wool socks, mittens and Grassfields Farm’s awesome cheese in limited flavors: Chili Cheese, Garlic & Onion, Gouda, and Lamont Cheddar.

 

We will have all 14 varieties of organic dry beans that we grew ourselves, including Black Calypso, Black Turtle, Black Valentine, Green Flageolet, Hidatsa Red, Hutterite Soup, Jacob’s Cattle, Jacob’s Cattle Gold, Marrow, Nuña, October, Pinto, Yellow Indian Woman and Zebra. We have only limited quantities of Black Calypso, Green Flageolet, Hidatsa Red, and Zebra, so don’t wait. 

 

See you Saturday!

 

Shady Side Farm
shadysidefarmmichigan@gmail.com

 

Funny Farm of Grant

This week’s produce list:

Onions! Big red & yellow slicing onions. Italian Cippolinis, SHALLOTS

Roots! rutabagas, cabbages, big and small,
and anything else we can find!

Potatoes! Choose from 6 or more varieties.

Eggs! Mixed flock of whites & browns.

Pink Himalayan Sea Salt. Stop by the booth and find out about the health benefits of Himalayan salts. We will also have Garlic Powder & Granules & Celery Seed, certified organic from California and our own dried dill, sweet & hot pepper flakes and dried shitake mushrooms.

Back again for gift giving; Barb’s Baubles. Handmade, one of a kind pieces.

Apron Lady & Janet will be coming too!

 

Five Oaks Farm CSA

If you’re interested in becoming a member of our 2014 CSA we’ll have our sign up forms at the market tomorrow. Until then check out our new blog here: http://fiveoaksfarmcsa.weebly.com/ See you then!

 

Laughing Tree Bakery of Hart

We are taking a winter break and will be back in production for the weekend of January 25.

Happy New Year and stay warm!

 

Sweetwater Holiday & Winter Market Schedule!

Sweetwater will be open as usual every Saturday in December.

January Hours: OPEN January 11th & 25th. CLOSED on January 4th & 18th.

February Hours: OPEN February 8th & 22nd. CLOSED February 1st & 15th.

March Hours: OPEN March 8th & 22nd, CLOSED March 1st & 15th.  and after that we will resume our every Saturday schedule again.

 

See you at the market!

 

Diana Jancek

Market Manager

Have a Happy, Healthy, Humane & Homegrown 2014!

free-vintage-happy-new-year-cards-two-birds-snow-scene-mistletoe

Sweetwater Local Foods Market

Saturday, December 28th, 2013, 9:00am to 1:00pm
 Mercy Health Lakes Campus
On 6401 Harvey St. at US31/Pontaluna Rd. Exit. 1st Bldg North of Pontaluna Rd.

We accept Bridge Cards Year Round!

 

Last Market of 2013!

Please note! Plan to stock up this Saturday as we are now on our every other Saturday schedule and our next market will be Saturday, January 11th. The entire winter schedule is at the bottom of this newsletter.

 

SCOOP End of Year Fundraiser!

Did you use the Let’s Eat Guide to Organic Food in 2013? Receive garden plants for your community garden? See Living Downstream &/or hear a panel of incredible local women talk about their own “living downstream” experiences?  If you want to see the efforts of Sweetwater Center for Organic Opportunity continue we need your help! We will be updating and publishing the Let’s Eat Guide for 2014, increasing our donations to area community gardens, supporting the efforts of our small farms, re-building the Friends of the Market and much more!  We’ll have more information and donor gifts at the market to entice you with, so stop by the info table! Remember, SCOOP is a 501c3 so your donation is tax deductible!

 

 

Attending this Saturday’s market:

 

Earthscape Farm of Hesperia

SHORT RIBS ARE ON SALE!  $3 PER LB.  Regular price is $3.50 per lb. Buy 5# or more, get them for $2.50 / lb.

BEEF HEART IS ON SALE! $2 PER LB.

 We will take advance orders up until 8pm Friday evening.  Email earthscapefarm@gmail.com

Steaks: Tenderloin, Porterhouse, NY Strip, Sirloin, Rib, Swiss, Round

Roasts: Chuck, Arm, Boneless Rib

Ground Beef 

Short Ribs – one of the most flavorful and unappreciated cuts of beef!

Soup Bones & Oxtail

Liver, Heart and Tongue

VEGETABLES~ Celeriac! Cabbages.  Kohlrabi.   POTATOES!  Red Norland, Blue Gold and Kennebec.   Rosemary.

ORGANIC OLIVE OIL ~ Imported by Higher Grounds in Traverse City.  $15 per bottle!

HIGHER GROUNDS COFFEE in 1# bags.  Certified organic, Fair Trade. Various types, beans or ground, dark or medium roast, full caf, half caf or decaf. Try a cup at the Sweetwater Market table!

 

Meadow View Goat Dairy & Farm of Fremont

 Chevreʹ  Fresh chevre with a nice spreading consistency, perfect for sandwich toppings and cooking. Cherry Capital Foods of Traverse City says  ” The chèvre produced by Meadow View has a pitch perfect acidity on the palate that becomes gently sweet and milky with a grassy note on the finish.”

Seasoned Chevreʹ                                                     

Our fresh Chevre available in your favorite flavorings: Blueberry Vanilla (great on a morning bagel!) Hickory-smoked bacon Bits, Garlic, Italian Herb, & Hot Pepper

Feta                                                                                        

A smooth and creamy feta which is low in salt and rich in fresh goat milk flavor. The brining process gives feta cheese a salty, tangy flavor and a crumbly consistency. Feta cheese can be served as a table cheese, used in baking savory dishes, or served as an appetizer or in salads. The classic Greek salad is made with Feta cheese. In crumbles or cubes for easy slicing.

Dutch Kase                                                               

A Meadow View Dairy original! If you are looking for a nicely aged but milder version of our Tomme, this is the cheese for you. Vacuum sealed without mold and aged at least 60 days.

Tomme de Fremont                                     

Our first aged cheese is quickly becoming a customer favorite! Developed from a French recipe, Tomme is a lower fat mold ripened cheese, aged at least 60 days. This gives the cheese a stronger flavor & firmer texture than the fresh Chevres, perfect for slicing.

Other items from our farm:

We will also have eggs from our free-range, GMO feed- free flock as well as our made on the farm maple syrup along. http://www.meadowviewgoatdairy.com/home

 

Maple Moon Farm of Shelby

We hope you all are enjoying the wonders of this season.  We are continuing to dig our little farm out of the ever steady snowfall.  We have been busy clearing the hoops in hopes that the sun will shine through and help wake up the greens.  We are hoping that Friday allows us just that.  If the weather permits, we plan on getting into the hoops and picking greens.

FALL VEGGIES

Carrots, super sweet and tasty

Potatoes (many varieties and colors)

EGGS

Our chickens are fully free-range.  The have open access to roam and forage on our 40 acres, and they reluctantly venture out in the snow.  They are fed non-GMO feed. (we also gratefully accept empty egg cartons)

CHICKEN

We raise pastured chickens for meat.  They are also fed non-GMO feed and they forage within a moveable fence.  whole frozen birds $4/lb

Please pre-order by Friday at 8pm.  Call 231-861-2535 or email maplemoonfarm@gmail.com

DRIED HERBS

Parsley

Basil

Thai Basil

Celery Leaf

Red Pepper Flakes

Whole Cayenne Peppers

Rosemary

Herbal Salves, Creams, and Teas

Salves:Mama’s All Purpose, Mike’s Muscles Relaxer (our two best sellers), Andi-Anxiety, Rob’s Relief (nature’s cure for poison ivy), and Breathe Deep

Creams: Radiant Beauty and Patti’s Hard Working Hands

Teas: Nourish, Restore, and Peace

Lip Balm: Michigan Winter balm, Peppermint, and Sova’s Heartsong

 

Kasza Sugar Bush of Shelby

Along with our bottled syrup, we have also expanded our line of maple products this summer to include the following:

Maple Cream – this is maple syrup condensed, cooled, and stirred into a beautiful buttery-like spread excellent on bagels, toast, doughnuts, winter squash, or a glaze on meat (esp. fish, and venison). The best thing about this is that it is totally natural only pure maple syrup.

Maple Candy – an excellent treat for someone’s sweet tooth. Simply pure maple syrup cooked down to only sugar and minerals remaining with enough moisture to hold the sugar in beautiful little maple leaf shaped candies.

Maple Granulated Sugar – is much like Maple Candy but without moisture. This can be used in place of white sugar as a natural sweetener along with the maple taste (esp. on oatmeal)

Maple Sugar-Coated Almonds and Pecans – a healthy sweet and crunchy treat.  These make great gifts if they don’t get eaten before that!!!

Please stop by and check out all these 100% natural products for yourself. We would be very happy to answer any questions or visit our web www.kaszasugarbush.com Looking forward to seeing you Saturday!

 

Shady Side Farm of Holland

We will be at market with certified organic beans, felting kits, wool dryer balls, wool roving, wool socks, mittens and Grassfields Farm’s awesome cheese in limited flavors: Chili Cheese, Garlic & Onion, Gouda, Lamont Cheddar and Leyden.

 

We will have all 14 varieties of organic dry beans that we grew ourselves, including Black Calypso, Black Turtle, Black Valentine, Green Flageolet, Hidatsa Red, Hutterite Soup, Jacob’s Cattle, Jacob’s Cattle Gold, Marrow, Nuña, October, Pinto, Yellow Indian Woman and Zebra. We have only limited quantities of Black Calypso, Green Flageolet, Hidatsa Red, and Zebra, so don’t wait.

 

Depending on the work load at home, Mike may be along to market with his sock knitting machine.

 

See you Saturday!

 

Shady Side Farm
shadysidefarmmichigan@gmail.com

 

Laughing Tree Bakery of Hart

We look forward to one last go ‘round in 2013 this coming weekend at The Sweetwater Local Foods Market  and all our normal retail outlets.  We will be taking a break at the beginning of January in order to catch up on some things around the bakery as well as to sled and build a snow fort or two with the young Mullers.  Remember, our bread freezes well so if you’d care to stock up please preorder to ensure you don’t run dry over our hiatus. We wish all of you a peaceful holiday season and an extraordinary 2014!

OUR EIGHT WEEKLY VARIETIES:

Homesteader’s Wheat (An extraordinary light wheat bread with a wonderfully chewy crust) $5.00

Oceana Round  ( Rustic Italian country bread) $5.00

Third Coast Three Seed  (Sunnies, Sesames, and Flax in a light wheat) $5.50

The Michigander (made with Michigan-grown whole wheat—dark and soulful) $5.50

Annie’s Raisin Spice (sweet organic raisins, organic cinnamon, and freshly ground cardamon) $6.00

Griff’s 8-Grain (Hearty, hearty! Eight organic grains and a bit of Michigan honey) $6.50

Finn’s Pecan Raisin Pecan (Jam packed with pecans and organic raisins) $8.25

100% whole grain Kamut: Light and moist with a fruity flavor, a great loaf for folks with wheat sensitivities. $6.00

SPECIALTY BREAD BAKE SCHEDULE 

Cranberry Orange  Almond  (A loaf for the holidays full of the goodies its name includes). Price $8.75

Irish Cheddar Peppercorn (Smooth Irish Cheddar accompanied by tongue tingling black pepper).  Price $8.00

Chili Cheddar   Whoa-homegrown, pickled jalapeno peppers coupled with mild cheddar cheese makes for great flavor with a little kick.  Fresh or toasted, great as an accompaniment to soup or chili.  $8.00

Hazel Road Rustic:  An old-time New England bread made with organic cornmeal (Michigan grown), rye, and golden molasses.  A bread with a slightly sweet, complex flavor.  Great for french toast or slathered with jam.  $5.50 a loaf.

PASTRIES AVAILABLE FOR SATURDAY

Mrs. Moose’s Wangdangdoodlers $2.25 each-Chunks of chocolate and walnuts give this cookie texture into which one can sink their teeth with great fervor.

 Hilltoppers (our NEW Molasses Ginger cookies…A 4oz cookie sweetened with golden molasses and bits of candied ginger)  $2.25 each *

Deep Mud Brownies $2.75 each* Our brownies are made with extraordinary Callebaut dark chocolate, our own fresh eggs, and Michigan grown organic barley flour—they are amazing!!

Orange Mud Brownies $3.00 each  Our Deep Mud Brownies infused with candied orange and zest.

Cranberry Orange Scones

Truly Ginger Scones

Michigan Cherry Scones

Bursting Blueberry Scones—New!!

BAKER’S DOZEN:  If you order 12 pastries you’ll receive a 13th pastry FREE!

 

Funny Farm of Grant

This week’s produce list:

Onions! Big red & yellow slicing onions. Italian Cippolinis, SHALLOTS

Roots! rutabagas, cabbages, big and small,
and anything else we can find!

Potatoes! Choose from 6 or more varieties.

Eggs! Mixed flock of whites & browns.

Pink Himalayan Sea Salt. Stop by the booth and find out about the health benefits of Himalayan salts. We will also have Garlic Powder & Granules & Celery Seed, certified organic from California and our own dried dill, sweet & hot pepper flakes and dried shitake mushrooms.

Back again for gift giving; Barb’s Baubles. Handmade, one of a kind pieces.

Apron Lady & Janet will be coming too!

 

Sweetwater Holiday & Winter Market Schedule!

Sweetwater will be open as usual every Saturday in December.

January Hours: OPEN January 11th & 25th. CLOSED on January 4th & 18th.

February Hours: OPEN February 8th & 22nd. CLOSED February 1st & 15th.

March Hours: OPEN March 8th & 22nd, CLOSED March 1st & 15th.  and after that we will resume our every Saturday schedule again.

 

Happy Holidays from all of us at Sweetwater!

 

Diana Jancek

Market Manager

 

Celebrate!

Winter celebrations

Sweetwater Local Foods Market

Saturday, December 21st, 2013, 9:00am to 1:00pm
 Mercy Health Lakes Campus
On 6401 Harvey St. at US31/Pontaluna Rd. Exit. 1st Bldg North of Pontaluna Rd.

We accept Bridge Cards Year Round!

 

Last Market before Christmas!

Great Holiday Gift Ideas!

You’ll find loads of wonderful locally grown and produced gift items this Saturday! And if you want to give a Taste of Sweetwater to a special someone, we have Sweetwater Gift Certificates in any amount you choose! We also have our brand new Sweetwater Shopping Bags available for $5.00 each! Stop by Market Mgr table for details.

 

Attending this Saturday’s market:

 

Earthscape Farm of Hesperia

SHORT RIBS ARE ON SALE!  $3 PER LB.  Regular price is $3.50 per lb. Buy 5# or more, get them for $2.50 / lb.

BEEF HEART IS ON SALE! $2 PER LB.

 We will take advance orders up until 6pm Friday evening.  Email earthscapefarm@gmail.com

Steaks: Tenderloin, Porterhouse, NY Strip, Sirloin, Rib, Swiss, Round

Roasts: Chuck

Ground Beef & Ground Sirloin

Short Ribs – one of the most flavorful and unappreciated cuts of beef!

Soup Bones & Oxtail

Liver, Heart and Tongue

VEGETABLES~ Celeriac! Cabbages.  Kohlrabi.   POTATOES!  Red Norland, Blue Gold and Kennebec.   Rosemary.

ORGANIC OLIVE OIL ~ Imported by Higher Grounds in Traverse City.  $15 per bottle!

HIGHER GROUNDS COFFEE in 1# bags.  Certified organic, Fair Trade. Various types, beans or ground, dark or medium roast, full caf, half caf or decaf. Try a cup at the Sweetwater Market table!

 

Hickory Ridge Family Farm

We will return to market this week with a variety of delicious specialty sausages from our non-GMO, pasture-raised pork, including Bratwurst, Andouille, Chorizo, Hot Italian (new!), and Jalapeno Bratwurst (new!).

See you soon!

 

Chickadee Creek Farm of Nunica

Mulefoot pork is back!  The meat is known for its exceptional flavor and juiciness, you won’t regret giving it a try!   We don’t have a lot of pork available though, and once this  batch of pork is gone we will not have more until next spring.   So get it while you can, it won’t last long.

 

Scholl Farm

We’ll have our whole frozen chicken, eggs, potatoes, squash & pumpkins this week. Chickens were on raised out on grass & supplemented with GMO-free feed.

 

Meadow View Goat Dairy & Farm of Fremont

New! Gift Boxed for Christmas giving. If you pre-ordered a gift box please plan to pick it up this week! We will also have an assortment of gift  boxes for Christmas gifting.

Plain Chevreʹ                                                            

Fresh chevre with a nice spreading consistency, perfect for sandwich toppings and cooking. Cherry Capital Foods of Traverse City says  ” The chèvre produced by Meadow View has a pitch perfect acidity on the palate that becomes gently sweet and milky with a grassy note on the finish.”

Seasoned Chevreʹ                                                     

Our fresh Chevre available in your favorite flavorings: Blueberry Vanilla (great on a morning bagel!) Hickory-smoked bacon Bits, Garlic, Italian Herb, & Hot Pepper

Feta                                                                                        

A smooth and creamy feta which is low in salt and rich in fresh goat milk flavor. The brining process gives feta cheese a salty, tangy flavor and a crumbly consistency. Feta cheese can be served as a table cheese, used in baking savory dishes, or served as an appetizer or in salads. The classic Greek salad is made with Feta cheese. In crumbles or cubes for easy slicing.

Dutch Kase                                                               

A Meadow View Dairy original! If you are looking for a nicely aged but milder version of our Tomme, this is the cheese for you. Vacuum sealed without mold and aged at least 60 days.

Tomme de Fremont                                     

Our first aged cheese is quickly becoming a customer favorite! Developed from a French recipe, Tomme is a lower fat mold ripened cheese, aged at least 60 days. This gives the cheese a stronger flavor & firmer texture than the fresh Chevres, perfect for slicing.

Other items from our farm:

We will also have eggs from our free-range, GMO feed- free flock as well as our made on the farm maple syrup along. http://www.meadowviewgoatdairy.com/home

 

Maple Moon Farm of Shelby

Happy Winter Solstice!  We are excited to celebrate this time of stillness.  We embrace all the wonderful ways to celebrate LIGHT in the world!

We are busy looking through seed catalogs and making exciting plans for next year’s growing.  Is there something you would like us to grow?  Let us know!

FALL VEGGIES

Carrots, super sweet and tasty

Potatoes (many varieties and colors)

Great gift idea! HERBAL GIFT BOXES

We have three different herbal gift boxes available,  spread the herbal love.

Tea Lovers– This box includes our three herbal teas: Nourish, Restore, and Peace, as well as our limited edition Lovely Lemon (a delicious blend of lemon balm and lemon verbena)

Herbal Beauty– This box includes a full line of herbal products that contribute to healthy skin and radiant beauty.  Includes Herbal Facial Care (a daily skin scrub or mask), Gypsy Water (a incredible herbal astringent for skin and a great hair rinse), Radiant Beauty Cream, Nourish Tea, MI Winter Lip Balm , and Sova’s Heartsong Lip Balm.

Peace – World peace truly begins within each individual.  We’ve put together herbal products that support our own inner peace and support better response to stress and conflict.  A warm soak in the tub is relaxing, but adding our Relax bath is a truly blissful experience.  Box includes Relax bath, Peace tea, and Andi-anxiety salve.

Custom-We are happy to put any of our products together in our 100% recycled gift boxes.

EGGS

Our chickens are fully free-range.  The have open access to roam and forage on our 40 acres, and they reluctantly venture out in the snow.  They are fed non-GMO feed. (we also gratefully accept empty egg cartons)

CHICKEN

We raise pastured chickens for meat.  They are also fed non-GMO feed and they forage within a moveable fence.  whole frozen birds $4/lb

Please pre-order by Friday at 8pm.  Call 231-861-2535 or email maplemoonfarm@gmail.com

DRIED HERBS

Parsley

Basil

Thai Basil

Celery Leaf

Red Pepper Flakes

Whole Cayenne Peppers

Rosemary

Herbal Salves, Creams, and Teas

Salves:Mama’s All Purpose, Mike’s Muscles Relaxer (our two best sellers), Andi-Anxiety, Rob’s Relief (nature’s cure for poison ivy), and Breathe Deep

Creams: Radiant Beauty and Patti’s Hard Working Hands

Teas: Nourish, Restore, and Peace

Lip Balm: Michigan Winter balm, Peppermint, and Sova’s Heartsong

 

Crow Feather Farm of Hesperia

This year market falls on Winter Solstice, the longest and most contemplative day of the year.  The sun will be over the Tropic of Capricorn, at its most southerly distance from us, at 12:11 PM EST – come celebrate the gradual return of the sun, while settling into this, the darkest season.

This week at market we are offering:
Baby Brassica Mix is back!  Freezing temperatures have brought out the best in our greens – they are unbelievably sweet.

New item from the hoophouse, Dill leaf

Rosemary sprigs, for your roasted potatoes

Yukon Gold & Redskin potatoes, see above!

Giant Kohlrabi, a tasty and healthful low-glycemic potato substitute

Onions

Cabbage

Winter squash: incomparable Delicatas, classic Butternuts, sugar pumpkins for pie (and ANY other baked good, we put them in muffins, bread, brownies, cookies, etc.)

Also look for the prize-winning* Blue Hubbard!

Rutabega & Celeriac
Solstice gifts!  Carolyn’s knits are going fast, look for a couple new items!

Please note!  Crow Feather Farm will NOT be attending next week’s market on Dec. 28 – we will be spending some much appreciated time with our families and friends!  Thank you so much for your support in our first season, the Sweetwater community really is very special.  We will return when the market starts up again in January.  Wishing you a peaceful, joyous holiday season and a fruitful new year.

* Did not win any real prizes – it’s just the biggest one we grew this year.

 

Kasza Sugar Bush of Shelby

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!! Come get the perfect, all-natural gift from our large selection of super-sweet Maple Products for that special someone.

Along with our bottled syrup, we have also expanded our line of maple products this summer to include the following:

Maple Cream – this is maple syrup condensed, cooled, and stirred into a beautiful buttery-like spread excellent on bagels, toast, doughnuts, winter squash, or a glaze on meat (esp. fish, and venison). The best thing about this is that it is totally natural only pure maple syrup.

Maple Candy – an excellent treat for someone’s sweet tooth. Simply pure maple syrup cooked down to only sugar and minerals remaining with enough moisture to hold the sugar in beautiful little maple leaf shaped candies.

Maple Granulated Sugar – is much like Maple Candy but without moisture. This can be used in place of white sugar as a natural sweetener along with the maple taste (esp. on oatmeal)

Maple Sugar-Coated Almonds and Pecans – a healthy sweet and crunchy treat.  These make great gifts if they don’t get eaten before that!!!

Please stop by and check out all these 100% natural products for yourself. We would be very happy to answer any questions or visit our web www.kaszasugarbush.com Looking forward to seeing you Saturday!

 

Shady Side Farm of Holland

Great gift ideas! We will be at market with certified organic beans, felting kits, wool dryer balls, wool roving, wool socks, mittens and Grassfields Farm’s awesome cheese!

 

We will have all 14 varieties of organic dry beans that we grew ourselves, including Black Calypso, Black Turtle, Black Valentine, Green Flageolet, Hidatsa Red, Hutterite Soup, Jacob’s Cattle, Jacob’s Cattle Gold, Marrow, Nuña, October, Pinto, Yellow Indian Woman and Zebra. We have only limited quantities of Black Calypso, Green Flageolet, Hidatsa Red, and Zebra, so don’t wait. We will have a few gift baskets along, in case you’d like to spread the beany love…

 

See you Saturday!

 

Shady Side Farm
shadysidefarmmichigan@gmail.com

 

Laughing Tree Bakery of Hart

We approach one of our favorite times of year as the winter solstice is upon us…which means the days begin to grow longer and the sun slowly comes back!  We thank you all who read our correspondence so diligently every week and continue buying our baked goods at stores and markets.

We will bake two more weekends here before taking a midwinter break for three weeks in January.  We’d like to remind people that our bread freezes well so if you would like to stock up please feel free to place a special order with us for one or two of the next weekends.  Our specialty loaves this week are the Cobmoosa Onion Rye, Elbridge Parmesan Olive, Irish Cheddar Peppercorn, and Cranberry Orange Almond.  Next week we’ll offer Walnut Batards, Cranberry Orange Almond, Chili Cheddar, and Elbridge Parmesan Olive.

Thank you all for allowing us to do what we love!

OUR EIGHT WEEKLY VARIETIES:

Homesteader’s Wheat (An extraordinary light wheat bread with a wonderfully chewy crust) $5.00

Oceana Round  ( Rustic Italian country bread) $5.00

Third Coast Three Seed  (Sunnies, Sesames, and Flax in a light wheat) $5.50

The Michigander (made with Michigan-grown whole wheat—dark and soulful) $5.50

Annie’s Raisin Spice (sweet organic raisins, organic cinnamon, and freshly ground cardamon) $6.00

Griff’s 8-Grain (Hearty, hearty! Eight organic grains and a bit of Michigan honey) $6.50

Finn’s Pecan Raisin Pecan (Jam packed with pecans and organic raisins) $8.25

100% whole grain Kamut: Light and moist with a fruity flavor, a great loaf for folks with wheat sensitivities. $6.00

SPECIALTY BREAD BAKE SCHEDULE 

Elbridge Parmesan Olive (Sumptuous parmesan and Kalamata black olives) $8.00

Cranberry Orange  Almond  (A loaf for the holidays full of the goodies its name includes). Price $8.75

Cobmoosa Onion Rye ( Carmelized organic onions, Michigan rye flour, and a hint of caraway) $6.00

Irish Cheddar Peppercorn (Smooth Irish Cheddar accompanied by tongue tingling black pepper).  Price $8.00

Pastries available for Saturday

Mrs. Moose’s Wangdangdoodlers $2.25 each-Chunks of chocolate and walnuts give this cookie texture into which one can sink their teeth with great fervor.

Hilltoppers (our NEW Molasses Ginger cookies…A 4oz cookie sweetened with golden molasses and bits of candied ginger)  $2.25 each

Deep Mud Brownies $2.75 each* Our brownies are made with extraordinary Callebaut dark chocolate, our own fresh eggs, and Michigan grown organic barley flour—they are amazing!!

Orange Mud Brownies $3.00 each  Our Deep Mud Brownies infused with candied orange and zest.

Cranberry Orange Scones

Truly Ginger Scones

Michigan Cherry Scones

Bursting Blueberry Scones—New!!

Pecan Date Scones

 BAKER’S DOZEN:  If you order 12 pastries you’ll receive a 13th pastry FREE!

 

The Orange Whisk of Grand Haven

This week I’m bringing my sweet & savory, nut and seed based snacks (which are all gluten-free) to market. I create wheat-free, and refined sugar-free snacks, sweets, and breads using high-quality ingredients, when possible local and/or organic. I don’t use preservatives, and ONLY bake with ingredients your grandmother would recognize! Please email me if you would like me to hold something for you.

This weeks offerings include:

Nuts! Nuts! Nuts!

Certified-Organic Raw Pecans

Certified-Organic Un-pasturized Raw Almonds from Spain (Sprout-able)

Certified-Organic Raw Cashews

Savory:

Savory Nutty Loaf – GF, Vegan

Savory Flax Crackers – GF, Vegan

Sweet:

Sweet Nutty Loaf  –  Apple/cinnamon, GF, Vegan

Vegan Apricot Date Cookies  –  Almond flour, cashews, apricot, dates vegan chocolate chips. GF, Vegan

Sunflower Pecan Fudge  –  GF, Vegan

Cavewoman Bites  –  Cacao, Coconut and Pecans Only, GF, Vegan

Pecan Caramel Tart  – Organic Pecans, caramel with an almond crust. 4.5”. GF

Carrot Cake Muffins – Almond flour based, carrots and other yummy stuff! GF

Holiday Gifts are back:

Michigan’s Guide to Local Cooking Cookbook, Personalized by the author

Patricia’s Michigan Chocolate

Ricky’s Cheese Making Kit – Mozzarella and Ricotta

Home Cheese making Book

The Meadows Finishing Salt Set of three for Salads

Local Farms included in my products this week include: Eggs from Funny Farm and Maple Moon, maple syrup from Kasza Sugar Bush, and chestnuts from Winkle Chestnut Farm.

Happy Holidays

Susan

info@orangewhisk.com

For weekly updates join the conversation on facebook https://www.facebook.com/OrangeWhisk

 

Olson Farm of  Shelby

New! I will be bringing six special gift boxes this week. Handmade wood boxes with syrup, decorated with greens, will make the perfect hostess Christmas gift. I will also have my Taste of Spring Maple Syrup  in all sizes along with honey from Lake Effect Apiaries of Shelby. Check them out at lakeeffectapiaries.com.

 

Liberty Family Farm

No Hoop House Offerings this week!

It has been too cold and cloudy.

Offerings from the Farm

Turkey Sausage

Grass-fed Lamb

Bakery Offerings

Fresh Quiche!  Regular and Gluten Free

Ciabatta Bread

Challah Bread

A selection of Muffins and Quick Bread for the Holidays

A selection of Grain Free and Egg Free Muffins

We will also have a variety of Christmas Cookies!!!

Hope to see you there!

 

Funny Farm of Grant

This week’s produce list:

Onions! Big red & yellow slicing onions. Italian Cippolinis, SHALLOTS

Greens&Roots! kales, rutabagas, cabbages, big and small,
and anything else we can find!

Potatoes! Choose from 6 or more varieties.

Eggs! Mixed flock of whites & browns.

Gift ideas! Pink Himalayan Sea Salt. Stop by the booth and find out about the health benefits of Himalayan salts. We will also have Garlic Powder & Granules & Celery Seed, certified organic from California and our own dried dill, sweet & hot pepper flakes and dried shitake mushrooms.

Back again for gift giving; Barb’s Baubles. Handmade, one of a kind pieces.

APRON LADY & Janet returns this week!

 

Bee & Botanicals of Spring Lake
Pretty, Practical, & Organic for home, friends & family.
Great selection of organic soaps – Lavender, Citrus Lavender, Lemongrass Tea, Peppermint, Oats & Spice, Honey Shea & Oats, Simply Rosemary (unscented).

100% Michigan beeswax candles; natural, bright, clean and long burning.
Fragrant and versatile Organic Lavender – Organza, embroidered, and hand colored organic Lavender Sachets.  Nice to use when storing out of season clothes, add natural fragrance to drawers, closets, clothing in storage, travel bags, desk drawers… it smells sweet, clean & fresh (also a moth deterrent for woolens).

 

Lady Bug Botanicals of Muskegon

In addition to my regular variety of handmade botanical soaps (perfect for holiday gift giving) I will have a whole new variety of rubber duck bath buddies swimming in organic glycerin soap – they make the perfect stocking stuffers!

 

Sweetwater Holiday & Winter Market Schedule!

Sweetwater will be open as usual every Saturday in December.

January Hours: CLOSED on January 4th & 18th. OPEN January 11th & 25th.

February Hours: CLOSED February 1st & 15th. OPEN February 8th & 22nd.

March Hours: Closed March 1st & 15th. OPEN March 8th & 22nd, and after that we will resume our every Saturday schedule again.

 

Happy Holidays from all of us at Sweetwater!

 

Diana Jancek

Market Manager

 

Sweetwater Holiday Market!

christmas-lights-grand-rapids-michigan1

Sweetwater Local Foods Market

Saturday, December 14th, 2013, 9:00am to 1:00pm
 Mercy Health Lakes Campus
On 6401 Harvey St. at US31/Pontaluna Rd. Exit. 1st Bldg North of Pontaluna Rd.

We accept Bridge Cards Year Round!

 

Great Holiday Gift Ideas!

You’ll find loads of wonderful locally grown and produced gift items this Saturday! And if you want to give a Taste of Sweetwater to a special someone, we have Sweetwater Gift Certificates in any amount you choose! We also have our brand new Sweetwater Shopping Bags available for $5.00 each! Stop by Market Mgr table for details.

 

Attending this Saturday’s market:

 

September’s Herbs & Produce of Montague

Holiday Wreaths and Swags, tis the season to be jolly!!

Dried Flower Blends

Herbal Swags( Dried)- A great selection of every savory herb you’ll need for the holidays.  Also a thoughtful and unusual gift.

Holiday Wildlife Swags- A great gift for the birds, bunnies and other wildlife in your yard.

Holiday Swag- A great way to dress up your doors and windows for the holiday season.

Holiday Wreaths (38-40 inches in diameter)- Space is limited this weekend so we’ll be bringing a limited amount of holiday wreaths for sale, but will be taking pre-orders for pick up at future markets.

This weeks  Holiday Veggie Special

Sugar Sweet Carrots  2.5lb bags

Wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Safe Holiday Season

Thank you for your support and patronage this season and we hope to see you next year!!

Peace and Love,

Simon, September and Rylan Dykema

 

Meadow View Goat Dairy & Farm of Fremont

New! Gift Boxed for Christmas giving. We will have some examples of an assortment of gift  boxes for Christmas gifting. We can take your orders this week!

Plain Chevreʹ                                                            

Fresh chevre with a nice spreading consistency, perfect for sandwich toppings and cooking. Cherry Capital Foods of Traverse City says  ” The chèvre produced by Meadow View has a pitch perfect acidity on the palate that becomes gently sweet and milky with a grassy note on the finish.”

Seasoned Chevreʹ                                                     

Our fresh Chevre available in your favorite flavorings: Blueberry Vanilla (great on a morning bagel!) Hickory-smoked bacon Bits, Garlic, Italian Herb, & Hot Pepper

Feta                                                                                        

A smooth and creamy feta which is low in salt and rich in fresh goat milk flavor. The brining process gives feta cheese a salty, tangy flavor and a crumbly consistency. Feta cheese can be served as a table cheese, used in baking savory dishes, or served as an appetizer or in salads. The classic Greek salad is made with Feta cheese. In crumbles or cubes for easy slicing.

Dutch Kase                                                               

A Meadow View Dairy original! If you are looking for a nicely aged but milder version of our Tomme, this is the cheese for you. Vacuum sealed without mold and aged at least 60 days.

Tomme de Fremont                                     

Our first aged cheese is quickly becoming a customer favorite! Developed from a French recipe, Tomme is a lower fat mold ripened cheese, aged at least 60 days. This gives the cheese a stronger flavor & firmer texture than the fresh Chevres, perfect for slicing.

Other items from our farm:

We will also have eggs from our free-range, GMO feed- free flock as well as our made on the farm maple syrup along. http://www.meadowviewgoatdairy.com/home

 

Maple Moon Farm of Shelby

We are grateful for the cold snowy season, that slows life down and provides a quiet stillness.  The plants in the hoops are also enjoying the quiet stillness.  They are resting, not busy growing, so we will have greens another week.  With the solstice just around the corner, the days will begin to grow longer and activity will begin to stir again.  In the meantime we have earthy veggies to offer and lots of herbal products to nourish us through the winter season.

We are busy looking through seed catalogs and making exciting plans for next year’s growing.  Is there something you would like us to grow?  Let us know!

A short note on where our seeds come from: We try to save whatever we can ourselves.  We feel this is the ideal, but don’t always have all the time we would like to harvest varieties.  We order from Seed Saver Exchange (we are members, members produce 100% open pollinated varieties), High Mowing Organics (the only 100% organic seed company), and Turtle Tree Seeds (biodynamic seeds-we LOVE this amazing little company).

FALL VEGGIES

Carrots, super sweet and tasty

Potatoes (many varieties and colors)

Hakurei Turnips (mild tasting salad turnips)

HERBAL GIFT BOXES

We have three different herbal gift boxes available,  spread the herbal love.

Tea Lovers– This box includes our three herbal teas: Nourish, Restore, and Peace, as well as our limited edition Lovely Lemon (a delicious blend of lemon balm and lemon verbena)

Herbal Beauty– This box includes a full line of herbal products that contribute to healthy skin and radiant beauty.  Includes Herbal Facial Care (a daily skin scrub or mask), Gypsy Water (a incredible herbal astringent for skin and a great hair rinse), Radiant Beauty Cream, Nourish Tea, MI Winter Lip Balm , and Sova’s Heartsong Lip Balm.

Peace – World peace truly begins within each individual.  We’ve put together herbal products that support our own inner peace and support better response to stress and conflict.  A warm soak in the tub is relaxing, but adding our Relax bath is a truly blissful experience.  Box includes Relax bath, Peace tea, and Andi-anxiety salve.

Custom-We are happy to put any of our products together in our 100% recycled gift boxes.

EGGS

Our chickens are fully free-range.  The have open access to roam and forage on our 40 acres.  They are fed non-GMO feed. (we also gratefully accept empty egg cartons)

CHICKEN

We raise pastured chickens for meat.  They are also fed non-GMO feed and they forage within a moveable fence.  whole frozen birds $4/lb

Please pre-order by Friday at 8pm.  Call 231-861-2535 or email maplemoonfarm@gmail.com

DRIED HERBS

Parsley

Basil

Thai Basil

Celery Leaf

Red Pepper Flakes

Whole Cayenne Peppers

Rosemary

Herbal Salves, Creams, and Teas

Salves:Mama’s All Purpose, Mike’s Muscles Relaxer (our two best sellers), Andi-Anxiety, Rob’s Relief (nature’s cure for poison ivy), and Breathe Deep

Creams: Radiant Beauty and Patti’s Hard Working Hands

Teas: Nourish, Restore, and Peace

Lip Balm: Michigan Winter balm, Peppermint, and Sova’s Heartsong

Maple Moon Farm

 

Crow Feather Farm of Hesperia

A variety of Winter Squash, including delicious sugar Pumpkins
Pontiac Red and Yukon Gold potatoes
Flavorful yellow Onions
Tasty green cabbage
GIANT Kohlrabi (try them roasted or mashed with potatoes)
Rutabagas and Celeriac
Hopefully we will also have some of our Brassica Salad mix, provided that a little Sun shines on our hoophouse tomorrow.
Christmas Gift Idea! Carolyn’s lovely, warm knitted garments will be on the table as well, available for your winter comfort. Try some on!

 

Kasza Sugar Bush of Shelby

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!! Come get the perfect, all-natural gift from our large selection of super-sweet Maple Products for that special someone.

Along with our bottled syrup, we have also expanded our line of maple products this summer to include the following:

Maple Cream – this is maple syrup condensed, cooled, and stirred into a beautiful buttery-like spread excellent on bagels, toast, doughnuts, winter squash, or a glaze on meat (esp. fish, and venison). The best thing about this is that it is totally natural only pure maple syrup.

Maple Candy – an excellent treat for someone’s sweet tooth. Simply pure maple syrup cooked down to only sugar and minerals remaining with enough moisture to hold the sugar in beautiful little maple leaf shaped candies.

Maple Granulated Sugar – is much like Maple Candy but without moisture. This can be used in place of white sugar as a natural sweetener along with the maple taste (esp. on oatmeal)

Maple Sugar-Coated Almonds and Pecans – a healthy sweet and crunchy treat.  These make great gifts if they don’t get eaten before that!!!

Please stop by and check out all these 100% natural products for yourself. We would be very happy to answer any questions or visit our web www.kaszasugarbush.com Looking forward to seeing you Saturday!

 

The Orange Whisk of Grand Haven

This week I’m bringing my sweet & savory, nut and seed based snacks (which are all gluten-free) to market. I create wheat-free, and refined sugar-free snacks, sweets, and breads using high-quality ingredients, when possible local and/or organic. I don’t use preservatives, and ONLY bake with ingredients your grandmother would recognize! Please email me if you would like me to hold something for you.

This weeks offerings include:

Nuts! Nuts! Nuts!

Certified-Organic Raw Pecans

Certified-Organic Un-pasturized Raw Almonds from Spain (Sprout-able)

Certified-Organic Raw Cashews

Fresh Local Chestnuts

Savory:

Savory Flax Crackers – GF, Vegan, Oil-Free, Nut-free

Sun-dried Tomato Basil Flax Crackers –  GF, Vegan, Oil-Free, Nut-free

Savory Nutty Loaf – GF, Vegan

Sweet:

Sweet Nutty Loaf – Apple/cinnamon, GF, Vegan

Vegan Cookies  –  Almond flour, cashews, apricot, vegan chocolate chips. GF, Vegan

Sunflower Pecan Fudge  –  GF, Vegan, Oil-free

Cavewoman Bites – Cacao Coconut and Pecans, GF, Vegan

Pecan Caramel Tart – Organic Pecans, caramel with an almond crust. 4.5”. GF

Carrot Cake Muffins – Almond flour based, GF

Holiday Gifts are back:

Michigan’s Guide to Local Cooking Cookbook, Personalized by the author (http://michigansguidetolocalcooking.com/), $25

Patricia’s Michigan Chocolate (http://patriciaschocolate.com/), $4

Ricky’s Cheese Making Kit – Mozzarella and Ricotta (http://www.cheesemaking.com/30-Minute-Mozzarella-Ricotta-Kit.html), $24

Home Cheesemaking Book, $14

The Meadows Finishing Salt Set of three for Salads (http://www.atthemeadow.com), $24

Local Farms included in my products this week include: Eggs from Funny Farm and Maple Moon, maple syrup from Kasza Sugar Bush, chestnuts from Winkle Chestnut Farm.

I’m also accepting advanced orders for Christmas and New Years.

Nourishing Wishes.

Susan

801-808-3480 cell, no text on this phone

info@orangewhisk.com

For weekly updates join the conversation on facebook https://www.facebook.com/OrangeWhisk

 

Olson Farm of  Shelby

I will bring my Taste of Spring Maple Syrup along with honey from Lake Effect Apiaries of Shelby. Check them out at lakeeffectapiaries.com.

 

Liberty Family Farm

No Hoop House Offerings this week!

It has been too cold and cloudy.

Offerings from the Farm

Turkey Sausage

Grass-fed Lamb

Bakery Offerings

Fresh Quiche!  Regular and Gluten Free

Ciabatta Bread

Challah Bread

A selection of Muffins and Quick Bread for the Holidays

A selection of Grain Free and Egg Free Muffins

We will also have a variety of Christmas Cookies!!!

Hope to see you there!

 

Laughing Tree Bakery of Hart

As I sit here tonight, holding our beautiful little daughter Alida (3 Weeks old!), I can hear Charlie upstairs reading to Finn and Annie as part of our bedtime ritual. We are so grateful to be able to work from home and to spend so much time with our little people. We hope one day one or more of them might join us in the task of baking bread for you and your family.  In the meantime, we are trying to savor their young years and all the sweet (and challenging!) moments these years offer us.  It is truly an honor to bake for you and to call so many of you friends.

Enjoy the Cranberry Orange Almond bread for just a few more weeks!!

Also, our Gingerbread Children return this weekend—if you enjoy our Hilltopper  cookies you’ll love these little edible people.

OUR EIGHT WEEKLY VARIETIES:

Homesteader’s Wheat (An extraordinary light wheat bread with a wonderfully chewy crust) $5.00

Oceana Round  ( Rustic Italian country bread) $5.00

Third Coast Three Seed  (Sunnies, Sesames, and Flax in a light wheat) $5.50

The Michigander (made with Michigan-grown whole wheat—dark and soulful) $5.50

Annie’s Raisin Spice (sweet organic raisins, organic cinnamon, and freshly ground cardamon) $6.00

Griff’s 8-Grain (Hearty, hearty! Eight organic grains and a bit of Michigan honey) $6.50

Finn’s Pecan Raisin Pecan (Jam packed with pecans and organic raisins) $8.25

100% whole grain Kamut: Light and moist with a fruity flavor, a great loaf for folks with wheat sensitivities. $6.00

SPECIALTY BREAD BAKE SCHEDULE 

Elbridge Parmesan Olive (Sumptuous parmesan and Kalamata black olives) $8.00

Cranberry Orange  Almond  (A loaf for the holidays full of the goodies its name includes). Price $8.75

Chili Cheddar   Whoa-homegrown, pickled jalapeno peppers coupled with mild cheddar cheese makes for great flavor with a little kick.  Fresh or toasted, great as an accompaniment to soup or chili.  $8.00

Pumpernickel Rye (A new twist on an old Eastern European standard.  Cracked Rye and Caraway seed in a dark, chewy loaf) $6.00

Pastries available for Saturday

Mrs. Moose’s Wangdangdoodlers $2.25 each-Chunks of chocolate and walnuts give this cookie texture into which one can sink their teeth with great fervor.

Gingerbread Children $1.50 each or 5 for $7.00

Deep Mud Brownies $2.75 each* Our brownies are made with extraordinary Callebaut dark chocolate, our own fresh eggs, and Michigan grown organic barley flour—they are amazing!!

Cherry Mud Brownies $3.00 each  Our Deep Mud Brownies infused with dried Michigan cherries.

SCONES

Cranberry Orange Scones

Truly Ginger Scones

Michigan Cherry Scones

Bursting Blueberry Scones—New!!

BAKER’S DOZEN:  If you order 12 pastries you’ll receive a 13th pastry FREE!

 

Funny Farm of Grant

This week’s produce list:

Onions! Big red & yellow slicing onions. Italian Cippolinis, SHALLOTS

Greens&Roots! kales, rutabagas, cabbages, big and small,
and anything else we can find!

Potatoes! Choose from 6 or more varieties.

Eggs! Mixed flock of whites & browns.

Gift ideas! Pink Himalayan Sea Salt. Stop by the booth and find out about the health benefits of Himalayan salts. We will also have Garlic Salt & Celery Salt.

Back again for gift giving; Barb’s Baubles. Handmade, one of a kind pieces.

APRON LADY & Janet returns this week!

 

Earthscape Farm of Hesperia

BEEF!  We sent 4 steers to the butcher on Wednesday.  We still should have most cuts of beef this week!

Beef Heart is  ON SALE!  $2 per lb. We will take advance orders up until 6pm Friday evening.

Email earthscapefarm@gmail.com

Steaks: Tenderloin, Porterhouse, NY Strip, Sirloin, Rib, Swiss, Round, Skirt

Roasts: Rib, Chuck

Ground Beef & Ground Sirloin

Short Ribs – one of the most flavorful and unappreciated cuts of beef!

Soup Bones & Oxtail

Liver, Heart and Tongue

VEGETABLES~ Celeriac! Cabbages.  Kohlrabi, Red and Yellow Onions,   POTATOES!  Red Norland, Blue Gold and Kennebec.   Rosemary.

ORGANIC OLIVE OIL ~ Imported by Higher Grounds in Traverse City.  $15 per bottle!

HIGHER GROUNDS COFFEE in 1# bags.  Certified organic, Fair Trade. Various types, beans or ground, dark or medium roast, full caf, half caf or decaf. Try a cup at the Sweetwater Market table!

 

Hickory Ridge Family Farm

We will return to market this week with a variety of delicious specialty sausages from our non-GMO, pasture-raised pork, including Sweet Italian, Bratwurst, Andouille, Chorizo, Hot Italian (new!), and Jalapeno Bratwurst (new!).

See you soon!

 

Chickadee Creek Farm of Nunica

Mulefoot pork is back!   We once again have bacon, chops, pork steaks, roasts, ground pork, ham in various forms, and much more.   This all comes from our rare heritage-breed American Mulefoot pigs.   They are raised outdoors where they can range through our forest and pasture and supplemented with non-GMO feed and all the scraps from our garden that we can find.   All the pork is processed without the use of nitrites or nitrates.   The meat is known for its exceptional flavor and juiciness, you won’t regret giving it a try!   We don’t have a lot of pork available though, and once this  batch of pork is gone we will not have more until next spring.   So get it while you can, it won’t last long.

 

Bee & Botanicals of Spring Lake
Pretty, Practical, & Organic for home, friends & family.
Great selection of organic soaps – Lavender, Citrus Lavender, Lemongrass Tea, Peppermint, Oats & Spice, Honey Shea & Oats, Simply Rosemary (unscented).

100% Michigan beeswax candles; natural, bright, clean and long burning.
Fragrant and versatile Organic Lavender – Organza, embroidered, and hand colored organic Lavender Sachets.  Nice to use when storing out of season clothes, add natural fragrance to drawers, closets, clothing in storage, travel bags, desk drawers… it smells sweet, clean & fresh (also a moth deterrent for woolens).

 

Lady Bug Botanicals of Muskegon

In addition to my regular variety of handmade botanical soaps (perfect for holiday gift giving) I will have a whole new variety of rubber duck bath buddies swimming in organic glycerin soap – they make the perfect sticking stuffers!

 

Shady Side Farm of Holland

Shady Side Farm will not be at market this Saturday. Milk deliveries will be handled by Betsy–please come between 10:00 and 10:30. We’ll return with beans and wool (socks, mittens, dryer balls, felting kits) next Saturday the 21st. See you next week!

 

Shady Side Farm

shadysidefarmmichigan@gmail.com

 

Sweetwater Holiday & Winter Market Schedule!

Sweetwater will be open as usual every Saturday in December.

January Hours: CLOSED on January 4th & 18th. OPEN January 11th & 25th.

February Hours: CLOSED February 1st & 15th. OPEN February 8th & 22nd.

March Hours: Closed March 1st & 15th. OPEN March 8th & 22nd, and after that we will resume our every Saturday schedule again.

Thanks, and Happy Holidays from all of us at Sweetwater!

 

Diana Jancek

Market Manager