Sweetwater on Valentine’s Day!

Published on February 13, 2009 by sweetWaterAdmin Category: 9941, What's New at the Market?

Happy Valentines Day!

Valentine’s Day & Sweet Sounds at Sweetwater!

Click the Music at the Market tab above for more information and pictures from last market!

Valentine’s Day Vendors Include:
Earthly Kneads of Muskegon
This Saturday, we will be at the shop and also at the Sweetwater Market. I’ve been busy whipping up some special items for Valentine’s Day. The smell of chocolate is in the air! We have homemade chocolate peanut butter bars (like peanut butter cups, but with dark chocolate and Naturally Nutty’s peanut butter) and our infamous chocolate cheesecakes (super creamy, crustless, and gluten free!) on the menu, plus other goodies, too. By Saturday, I hope to have some fudge covered chocolate baby cakes that are filled with honey goat cheese and some yummy Food for Thought preserves. Double Chocolate Espresso Bread is making an appearance this weekend, too. There will be cookies, cookies, and more cookies, too! The cheesecakes are in limited supply, so please call us at 231-728-6383 to reserve yours. You may order other items in advance over the phone, too.
Creswick Farms of Ravenna
Handcrafted Sausages and Specialty Meats
Fresh-Aire Pastured Pork.
Hickory Smoked Nitrite-Free Bacon, Boneless Pork Chops, Pork Breakfast sausage in links & bulk. Soup Seasoning Bacon Ends.
Pork Sausages: Garlic Kielbasa
Chicken Sausages include: Apple/Chicken Sausage Links and Chicken with Spinach & Feta Cheese.
Lamb Sausages: Moroccan Lamb Sausage.
Pastured Chicken
Ground Chicken is all that will be available until close to spring.
Grass-fed Beef
Filet Mignon, Round Roast and Ground Beef in 1 lb pkg and 1/3 lb. Beef Burgers 3/pkg
Beef Snack Sticks.
New Product! If you’re as tired and worried as we are about problems with contamination of our pets food, there’s hope! Creswick Farms is now offering a ½# package of ground beef, lamb, & chicken for $2.00! Meat is frozen, uncooked. Cooked or raw, add your own fresh greens and cooked rice and you have a great locally made food your pets will devour!

Earthscape/Full Circle Farm of Hesperia
earthscape-val-day-2-14-09 Higher Grounds Coffee! Certified Organic, Fair-Trade coffees, including decaf, half-caf, expresso roast, ground & whole bean.
Bobier Farm-Raised Beef ~ Ground Beef, beef liver and beef heart. We will have a fresh supply of beef (by the piece/pound and quarters) at the February 28th market.
Pork ~ We have 1/2 side of pork available for sale. Call or email if you are interested.
Organic Olive Oil! These oils are imported from all over the world. They are grown, pressed and bottled on small organic farms. Incredible quality! Check out http://organicoliveoilcompany.com
Now in stock:
Mansur 375 ml $15; 750 ml $25
Villa Stabbia 375 ml $25
Catalan 250 ml $16; 500 ml $24
Moutere Grove 250 ml $20; 500 ml $35
Steve n’ Sons Grassfields Farm of Coopersville
Certified Organic raw milk cheeses in the Dutch process tradition.
Fait Gras is back! Our new Euro-style gouda has been selling out fast. We will also have Gouda, Gouda with Dill, Leyden (Gouda with Cumin), Gouda Spice (garlic & onion), Edam, and Lamont Cheddar.
Ag and Health Alive of Marne
From Nantucket Bread Company of Grand Rapids: Chilled Whole Wheat Pizza Dough! Sold in single size bags, just roll out on a pizza tin, let rise a bit and then add your favorite toppings! Also: Whole Wheat Raisin Bread, Whole Wheat Bread, Seven-Grain Sourdough bread, Cranberry Walnut bread and Health Muffins. Made of whole grain organic flours.
Again this week! Duck Eggs. Fed certified organic feed. Find out why many bakers insist on using Duck Eggs.
Lamb! This week at the market: We have individual cuts of lamb in chops, roasts, ground lamb, stew meat and shanks. We are an authorized Fertrell Dealer and have a huge list of available organic garden supplies.
Olson Farm of Shelby
olson-farm-2-14-09 Taste of Spring Maple Syrup. Making maple syrup from the over 300 trees on the farm has been an Olson tradition for three generations now.
Potatoes. Red Norland, Pontiac and Reddale Red potatoes, the Butte White Baking Potato; and Swedish, Russian & Banana fingerling potatoes.
Onions. Red Zeppelin and white keeping onions. olson-farm-hh-kids-2-14-09
Happy Hill Farm of Hart
Turkey Sausage and Ground Turkey . Breakfast, Italian, Brat & Chorizo. Breakfast & Italian in links/andor bulk. Turkeys were fed certified organic feed.
Ducks! Young and tender. The drakes weigh about 6 lbs.; the hens are just over 3 lbs.
Pastured turkey: Fed certified organic grain. We will have frozen packaged thighs, drumsticks, breast roast, sliced breast, and tenderloin.
Pastured chicken: Two options: Frozen chicken fed certified organic grains or chicken fed our own 2nd year transition corn. We have all cuts—whole, cut up, bone-in and boneless skinless breast, drumsticks, thighs, leg quarters and wings, soup stock, feet, liver, hearts and gizzards. All of our meats are raised on pasture with daily moves, and are processed on farm: no stressful transporting.
Stewing Hens. Hens retired from laying eggs make the best chicken soup in the world! Simmer these gals for several hours and you have genuine old-fashioned chicken! Or roast on high in the crockpot with no water for 8-12 hours for scrumptious roasted chicken!
Rabbit. Whole, frozen. Raised by David Filbrun on the farm.
Pastured Eggs. Large Eggs from free-range chickens.
Abundant Harvest Bakery of Hart
Valentine's Day goodies at Abundant Harvest! Valentine’s Day goodies at Abundant Harvest!

Martinus Maple Syrup of West Olive
We learned the art of sugaring off via apprenticeship from an elderly neighbor, and it was soon in our blood. Our home-operation started in the early 1990s, and moved indoors into our sugar shack in 2001. Yearly, we tap about 80 trees, and with 150 taps, produce on average, 25 gallons.
Bill and Shirley Martinus
17300 Beach Ridge Way
West Olive, MI 49460

HandCrafteds
Locally made products good for the body and spirit!

Under the Pines of Fruitport

Beautiful gifts & gals at Under the Pines!

Valentines Day Special Gift Baskets

Pretty drawstring bags with our product tucked inside or soaps with soap dishes and sisal bags tied together with a ribbon make nice little presents for friends and family.

Try our handcrafted soaps in the following aromas: Patchouli and Sweet Orange, Lavender & Tea Tree, Lemongrass & Coconut, Lacy Lavender. All of our soaps have 10% shea butter added to help fight that winter “dry” skin. All of the above soaps have matching body butters, wonderful for moisturizing feet, knees, elbows, cuticles and hands. Also try our new Triple Tree soap.
This soap is made with corn mint, spearmint, peppermint and tea tree essential oils. Leaves your skin with that fresh tingly feeling. Nice assortment of hand crafted bath and body products and essential oils. Hand crafted dog soap and paw pad balm too!
Bee and Botanicals of Spring Lake
Lavender dryer bags, floral and woodsy sachets, hand crafted cards and gift tags. *New for kitty-organic catnip toys : x )
Brittanie’s Thyme
Nancy Schaap with her great all organic body care items.

nancy-of-brittanies-thyme-2-14-09

Brittanie’s Thyme is listed at Coop America (www.coopamerica.org) and Safe Cosmetics (www.safecosmetics.org), two entities who patrol the authenticity and safety of organic products.

We are also making plans to become USDA certified organic very soon.

Imagination to Creation Jewelry of North Muskegon

patty-imagination-to-creation-2-14-09

Patti with her Valentines Day special sets!

Creature Comforts of Grand Haven
Owner Eileen Petersen has been quilting for family & friends for over 25 years and now offers her hand-made quilted items at Sweetwater. All Creature Comforts items are hand-made from soft pre-washed cotton. This week, in addition to the baby quilts and soft blocks Eileen will have some eco-friendly 100% cotton cloth napkins for adults and children (great for lunch boxes).

Sochon & Halona Pottery of Twin Lake
Transplanted to Michigan just two years ago from Chicago, Sweetwater welcomes husband & wife team Flynn Sochon and Halona Gustin! Flynn holds both a B.S. and M.S. degree in Ceramics from Illinois State University. He has given many workshops, seminars, and demonstrations throughout the region, and has taught at Flatland Pottery for 30 years. His works can be found in corporate and private collections in China, Japan, Germany, Israel, France, Mexico, Canada, and throughout the U.S.

flynn-sochon-halona-gustin-pottery-2-14-091

Bluegrass Returns to Market!

Published on January 30, 2009 by sweetWaterAdmin Category: 9941, Events

The bluegrass musicians known collectively as Front Porch PIckin’ will return to the market this Saturday to entertain all with more great olde time music!This weeks musicians include: Merials Kitchen (Thom, Wyatt, and the Sorensons) with Jo Ann Windberg, Bill, Donna and Jeff on backup. Come enjoy the music from 10:00 to 12:30. Market opens at 9:00am.

Front Porch Pickin’ Returns!

Published on January 16, 2009 by sweetWaterAdmin Category: Events

Front Porch Pickin' at January 3rd Mkt Front Porch Pickin’ at January 3rd Mkt

Mix great local food and bluegrass music, and what have you got? FUN! Fiddlin' up a good time! Fiddlin’ up a good time!!

Fun time was had by all.... A great time was had by all….

Sweetwater Local Foods Market will again welcome the bluegrass entertainers known collectively as Front Porch Pickin’ this Saturday, January 17th, performing from 10:00am to 12:30. Customers can expect to hear old and new bluegrass tunes played on mandolins, guitars, fiddles, saws and dobro. This weeks musicians includes: Back Row Pickers with Jo Ann on Mandolin & Vocals; Bill on Guitar and Donna on Guitar & Vocals; and the Rhythm Wranglers with Don on the Dobro, Ginger on Guitar & Vocals, Walt on Electric Lead Guitar, and Rev Don on Upright Bass & Harmony Vocals, Jeff on the Fiddle and George on Guitar & Vocals.

While you’re enjoying the music support our local farmers and vendors and bring home some healthy locally produced foods. Home-made soaps and body care. And check out this week’s New Vendors!

Earthscape/Full Circle Farm of Hesperia
We are glad to be back at the Market this week!
HIGHER GROUNDS COFFEE! I’ll be bringing an assortment of 1# bags. All profits from the coffee will be donated to Sweetwater Market.
Bobier Farm-Raised Beef ~ Ground Beef, steaks, roasts, stew meat, short ribs, soup bones, heart, tongue and beef liver. Our newest beef is 100% grass-fed; stock your freezers for winter! We are bringing more recipes this week. Check us out.
Pork ~ We have 1 side of pork available for sale. Call or email if you are interested.
Veggies ~ Red and Yellow Onions, Garlic Bulbs and Red and Savoy Cabbages ~ from storage in our root cellar.
Fresh Rosemary from the Greenhouse.
Organic Olive Oil! These oils are imported from all over the world. They are grown, pressed and bottled on small organic farms. Incredible quality! Check out http://organicoliveoilcompany.com
Now in stock:
Lakelands 250 ml decanter $25
Mansur 375 ml $15; 750 ml $25
Villa Stabbia 375 ml $25
Catalan 250 ml $16; 500 ml $24
Moutere Grove 250 ml $20; 500 ml $35
Earthly Kneads of Muskegon
Kudos to Gail for the wonderful article in the Muskegon Chronicle!
Check it out at:
http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2009/01/sun_biz_knead_bread_downtown_m.html
This week’s goodies from the bakery:
Scones: Dark chocolate cherry and other favorites.
Cookies: Gluten-free Peanut Butter cookies.
Breads: Pumpernickel, Seeded Spelt, Whole Grain Spelt, Breakfast Bread, French Bread and Just Plain Gouda. If time allows, Gail will include that to die for Chocolate Cherry Bread.
Granola & Gorp
Nice selection of fresh-baked customer favorites.
Extras
Peanut Butter & Almond Butter from Naturally Nutty
Preserves, Hot Sauce, Salsa, & Vinegar from Food For Thought
Steve n’ Sons Grassfields Farm of Coopersville
Certified Organic raw milk cheeses in the Dutch process tradition. Gouda, Gouda with Dill, Leyden (Gouda with Cumin), Gouda Spice (garlic & onion), Edam, and Lamont Cheddar.
Creswick Farms of Ravenna
Handcrafted Sausages and Specialty Meats
Fresh-Aire Pastured Pork.
Hickory Smoked Nitrite-Free Bacon, Boneless Pork Chops, Pork Breakfast sausage in links & bulk. Soup Seasoning Bacon Ends.
Pork Sausages: Garlic Kielbasa
Chicken Sausages include: Apple/Chicken Sausage Links and Chicken with Spinach & Feta Cheese.
Pastured Chicken
New! Smoked Chicken. Also: Whole Broilers, Ground Chicken.
Grass-fed Beef
Filet Mignon, Round Roast and Ground Beef in 1 lb pkg and ¼ lb Beef Burgers 4/pkg
New Product! Pet Food. Beef, lamb, chicken in ½ # pkg $2.00. Try it, your carnivores will love it!
Pre-Orders: Email Chris Bedford at chrisbedford@charter.net by Monday before the market and he will have it ready for you to pick up on Saturday. For a complete list of products, please see the website: www.CreswickFarms.com .
Ag and Health Alive of Marne
From Nantucket Bread Company of Grand Rapids: Chilled Whole Wheat Pizza Dough! Sold in single size bags, just roll out on a pizza tin, let rise a bit and then add your favorite toppings! Also: Whole Wheat Raisin Bread, Whole Wheat Bread, Seven-Grain Sourdough bread, Cranberry Walnut bread and Health Muffins. Made of whole grain organic flours.
Again this week! Duck Eggs. Fed certified organic feed. Find out why many bakers insist on using Duck Eggs.
Lamb! This week at the market: We have individual cuts of lamb in chops, roasts, ground lamb, stew meat and shanks. We are an authorized Fertrell Dealer and have a huge list of available organic garden supplies.
Veggies from our Root Cellar: Turnips & Butternut Squash.
Olson Farm of Shelby
Taste of Spring Maple Syrup. Making maple syrup from the over 300 trees on the farm has been an Olson tradition for three generations now.
Potatoes. Red Norland, Pontiac and Reddale Red potatoes, the Butte White Baking Potato; and Swedish, Russian & Banana fingerling potatoes.
Onions. Red Zeppelin and white keeping onions.
Happy Hill Farm of Hart
Turkey Sausage and Ground Turkey . Breakfast, Italian, Brat & Chorizo. Breakfast & Italian in links/andor bulk. Turkeys were fed certified organic feed.
Ducks! Young and tender. The drakes weigh about 6 lbs.; the hens are just over 3 lbs.
Pastured turkey: Fed certified organic grain. We will have frozen packaged thighs, drumsticks, breast roast, sliced breast, and tenderloin.
Pastured chicken: Two options: Frozen chicken fed certified organic grains or chicken fed our own 2nd year transition corn. We have all cuts—whole, cut up, bone-in and boneless skinless breast, drumsticks, thighs, leg quarters and wings, soup stock, feet, liver, hearts and gizzards. All of our meats are raised on pasture with daily moves, and are processed on farm: no stressful transporting.
Stewing Hens. Hens retired from laying eggs make the best chicken soup in the world! Simmer these gals for several hours and you have genuine old-fashioned chicken! Or roast on high in the crockpot with no water for 8-12 hours for scrumptious roasted chicken!
Rabbit. Whole, frozen. Raised by David Filbrun on the farm.
Pastured Eggs. Large Eggs from free-range chickens.
Abundant Harvest Bakery Granola Breakfast Cookies plus a gluten-free option will be at Happy Hill booth.
Martinus Maple Syrup of West Olive
We learned the art of sugaring off via apprenticeship from an elderly neighbor, and it was soon in our blood. Our home-operation started in the early 1990s, and moved indoors into our sugar shack in 2001. Yearly, we tap about 80 trees, and with 150 taps, produce on average, 25 gallons.
Bill and Shirley Martinus
17300 Beach Ridge Way
West Olive, MI 49460

HandCrafteds
Locally made products good for the body and spirit!

New Vendor!
Creature Comforts of Grand Haven
Owner Eileen Petersen: “I have been quilting for friends and family for 25 years and truly enjoy it! It seemed time to expand into broader horizons so I am attempting to build a business selling to the public. All Creature Comforts items are hand-made by me in my own home, from soft pre-washed cotton. For my first market at Sweetwater I will bring hand quilted & tied baby quilts, soft baby blocks, and potholders. I’m sure there will be new inspirations in the next few months!”
Welcome, Eileen!

New Vendor!
Sochon & Halona Pottery of Twin Lake
Transplanted to Michigan just two years ago from Chicago, Sweetwater welcomes husband & wife team Flynn Sochon and Halona Gustin! Flynn holds both a B.S. and M.S. degree in Ceramics from Illinois State University. He has given many workshops, seminars, and demonstrations throughout the region, and has taught at Flatland Pottery for 30 years. His works can be found in corporate and private collections in China, Japan, Germany, Israel, France, Mexico, Canada, and throughout the U.S. Halona exhibits her work at numerous arts fairs throughout the Midwest. Her work is inspired by nature, specifically the beauty of Western Michigan. They will bring a selection of their current works.
4200 Obenauf Rd
Twin Lake, MI, 49457
(231) 821-0850

Under the Pines of Fruitport
For a fresh start to the new year, try our handcrafted soaps in the following aromas: Patchouli and Sweet Orange, Lavender & Tea Tree, Lemongrass & Coconut, Lacy Lavender. All of our soaps have 10% shea butter added to help fight that winter “dry” skin. All of the above soaps have matching body butters, wonderful for moisturizing feet, knees, elbows, cuticles and hands. Also try our new Triple Tree soap. This soap is made with corn mint, spearmint, peppermint and tea tree essential oils. Leaves your skin with that fresh tingly feeling. Nice assortment of hand crafted bath and body goodies too! Stop by and see our specials!
Bee and Botanicals of Spring Lake
Lavender dryer bags, floral and woodsy sachets, hand crafted cards and gift tags.

Organic Bluegrass This Saturday!

Published on January 2, 2009 by sweetWaterAdmin Category: Events, What's New at the Market?

Sweetwater Local Foods Market
Saturday, January 31st, 9:00am to 1:00pm
Winter Market Indoors at Hackley Health at the Lakes
On Harvey St. ½ mile S of Lakes Mall-exit US31 at Pontaluna Rd
We are a Bridge Card Market

Bluegrass Returns to Sweetwater!
Join this week’s group of musicians playing your favorite olde time music!
Visit Sweetwater Good Food News Blog for Details!
http://sweetwaterlocalfoodsmarket.wordpress.com/

This Week’s Vendors Include:
Creswick Farms of Ravenna
Handcrafted Sausages and Specialty Meats
Fresh-Aire Pastured Pork.
Hickory Smoked Nitrite-Free Bacon, Boneless Pork Chops, Pork Breakfast sausage in links & bulk. Soup Seasoning Bacon Ends.
Pork Sausages: Garlic Kielbasa
Chicken Sausages include: Apple/Chicken Sausage Links and Chicken with Spinach & Feta Cheese.
Lamb Sausages include: Moroccan Lamb Sausage.
Pastured Chicken
Ground Chicken is all that will be available until close to spring.
Grass-fed Beef
Filet Mignon, Round Roast and Ground Beef in 1 lb pkg and ¼ lb Beef Burgers 4/pkg
New Product! If you’re as tired and worried as we are about problems with contamination of our pets food, there’s hope! Creswick Farms is now offering a combo ½# package of ground beef, lamb, & chicken for $2.00! Meat is frozen, uncooked. Cook, add your own fresh greens and cooked rice and you have a great locally made food your pets will devour!
Pre-Orders: Email Chris Bedford at chrisbedford@charter.net by Monday before the market and he will have it ready for you to pick up on Saturday. For a complete list of products, please see the website: www.CreswickFarms.com .
Earthscape/Full Circle Farm of Hesperia
HIGHER GROUNDS COFFEE! I’ll be bringing an assortment of 1# bags. All profits from the coffee will be donated to Sweetwater Market.
Bobier Farm-Raised Beef ~ Ground Beef, steaks, rolled rump roast, heart, and beef liver. We should have a fresh supply of beef (by the piece/pound and quarters) by the end of February. We can butcher again as soon as the snow melts enough to dig out the livestock trailor and haul more steers to the processor!
Pork ~ We have 1 side of pork available for sale. Call or email if you are interested.
Veggies ~ Red and Yellow Onions, Garlic Bulbs and Savoy Cabbages ~ from storage in our root cellar.
Fresh Rosemary from the Greenhouse.
Organic Olive Oil! These oils are imported from all over the world. They are grown, pressed and bottled on small organic farms. Incredible quality! Check out http://organicoliveoilcompany.com
Now in stock:
Mansur 375 ml $15; 750 ml $25
Villa Stabbia 375 ml $25
Catalan 250 ml $16; 500 ml $24
Moutere Grove 250 ml $20; 500 ml $35
Earthly Kneads of Muskegon
Gail has been called out of town on an unexpected emergency. Her shop is closed as well. We will keep everyone posted when she returns.
Steve n’ Sons Grassfields Farm of Coopersville
Certified Organic raw milk cheeses in the Dutch process tradition. Gouda, Gouda with Dill, Leyden (Gouda with Cumin), Gouda Spice (garlic & onion), Edam, and Lamont Cheddar.
Ag and Health Alive of Marne
From Nantucket Bread Company of Grand Rapids: Chilled Whole Wheat Pizza Dough! Sold in single size bags, just roll out on a pizza tin, let rise a bit and then add your favorite toppings! Also: Whole Wheat Raisin Bread, Whole Wheat Bread, Seven-Grain Sourdough bread, Cranberry Walnut bread and Health Muffins. Made of whole grain organic flours.
Again this week! Duck Eggs. Fed certified organic feed. Find out why many bakers insist on using Duck Eggs.
Lamb! This week at the market: We have individual cuts of lamb in chops, roasts, ground lamb, stew meat and shanks. We are an authorized Fertrell Dealer and have a huge list of available organic garden supplies.
Veggies from our Root Cellar: Turnips & Butternut Squash.
Olson Farm of Shelby
Taste of Spring Maple Syrup. Making maple syrup from the over 300 trees on the farm has been an Olson tradition for three generations now.
Potatoes. Red Norland, Pontiac and Reddale Red potatoes, the Butte White Baking Potato; and Swedish, Russian & Banana fingerling potatoes.
Onions. Red Zeppelin and white keeping onions.
Happy Hill Farm of Hart
Turkey Sausage and Ground Turkey . Breakfast, Italian, Brat & Chorizo. Breakfast & Italian in links/andor bulk. Turkeys were fed certified organic feed.
Ducks! Young and tender. The drakes weigh about 6 lbs.; the hens are just over 3 lbs.
Pastured turkey: Fed certified organic grain. We will have frozen packaged thighs, drumsticks, breast roast, sliced breast, and tenderloin.
Pastured chicken: Two options: Frozen chicken fed certified organic grains or chicken fed our own 2nd year transition corn. We have all cuts—whole, cut up, bone-in and boneless skinless breast, drumsticks, thighs, leg quarters and wings, soup stock, feet, liver, hearts and gizzards. All of our meats are raised on pasture with daily moves, and are processed on farm: no stressful transporting.
Stewing Hens. Hens retired from laying eggs make the best chicken soup in the world! Simmer these gals for several hours and you have genuine old-fashioned chicken! Or roast on high in the crockpot with no water for 8-12 hours for scrumptious roasted chicken!
Rabbit. Whole, frozen. Raised by David Filbrun on the farm.
Pastured Eggs. Large Eggs from free-range chickens.
Abundant Harvest Bakery Granola Breakfast Cookies plus a gluten-free option will be at Happy Hill booth.
Martinus Maple Syrup of West Olive
We learned the art of sugaring off via apprenticeship from an elderly neighbor, and it was soon in our blood. Our home-operation started in the early 1990s, and moved indoors into our sugar shack in 2001. Yearly, we tap about 80 trees, and with 150 taps, produce on average, 25 gallons.
Bill and Shirley Martinus
17300 Beach Ridge Way
West Olive, MI 49460
HandCrafteds
Locally made products good for the body and spirit!
Under the Pines of Fruitport
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Pretty drawstring bags with our product tucked inside or soaps with soap dishes and sisal bags tied together with a ribbon make nice little presents for friends and family. Try our handcrafted soaps in the following aromas: Patchouli and Sweet Orange, Lavender & Tea Tree, Lemongrass & Coconut, Lacy Lavender. All of our soaps have 10% shea butter added to help fight that winter “dry” skin. All of the above soaps have matching body butters, wonderful for moisturizing feet, knees, elbows, cuticles and hands. Also try our new Triple Tree soap. This soap is made with corn mint, spearmint, peppermint and tea tree essential oils. Leaves your skin with that fresh tingly feeling. Nice assortment of hand crafted bath and body products and essential oils. Hand crafted dog soap and paw pad balm too!
Bee and Botanicals of Spring Lake
Lavender dryer bags, floral and woodsy sachets, hand crafted cards and gift tags. *New for kitty-organic catnip toys. Theresa’s Bags n’Blooms of Ravenna
If you attended a market last summer chances are you remember Theresa and her beautiful flowers and hand-sewn bags. She returns to the market this week with a new batch of produce bags and all-purpose bags.
Brittanie’s Thyme
Nancy Schaap will return with lots of great all organic body care items, including
Organic Citrus Facial Cleanser (4oz – $12.00) and organic Hair Silk (1oz – $7.50). The Organic Citrus Facial Cleanser uses organic aloe, organic jojoba oil, organic grapefruit and rosemary essential oils to gently remove make-up, dirt and oils from your complexion. It also promotes hydration and moisturizing, even after you rinse your face. This product is an excellent part of daily skin care for all ages an especially teens as it will not over dry or clog pores. A great partner for some with our Organic Acne Treatment!
Brittanie’s Thyme is listed at Coop America (www.coopamerica.org) and Safe Cosmetics (www.safecosmetics.org), two entities who patrol the authenticity and safety of organic products. We are also making plans to become USDA certified organic very soon.
Imagination to Creation Jewelry of North Muskegon
I.C. Jewelry was begun nearly 6 years ago by local artist Patti Featherly, who will join us again this week showing some of her beautiful and functional jewelry items.
Last week for year-end sale! I will be offering 40 to 70% off on necklace sets, 30% off earrings. These items will not be available again, so be sure to stop by and have a look! In preparation for Valentines Day I will also offer some new pieces, not on sale.
Creature Comforts of Grand Haven
Owner Eileen Petersen: “I have been quilting for friends and family for 25 years and truly enjoy it! It seemed time to expand into broader horizons so I am attempting to build a business selling to the public. All Creature Comforts items are hand-made by me in my own home, from soft pre-washed cotton. For my first market at Sweetwater I will bring hand quilted & tied baby quilts, soft baby blocks, and potholders. I’m sure there will be new inspirations in the next few months!”
Sochon & Halona Pottery of Twin Lake
Transplanted to Michigan just two years ago from Chicago, Sweetwater welcomes husband & wife team Flynn Sochon and Halona Gustin! Flynn holds both a B.S. and M.S. degree in Ceramics from Illinois State University. He has given many workshops, seminars, and demonstrations throughout the region, and has taught at Flatland Pottery for 30 years. His works can be found in corporate and private collections in China, Japan, Germany, Israel, France, Mexico, Canada, and throughout the U.S. Halona exhibits her work at numerous arts fairs throughout the Midwest. Her work is inspired by nature, specifically the beauty of Western Michigan. They will bring a selection of their current works.
4200 Obenauf Rd
Twin Lake, MI, 49457
(231) 821-0850

Last but not least: A bit of a belated thanks goes to Julie Myrmel for her super generous gift to market vendors at Christmas of handmade wooden bowls beautifully crafted by her father Robert Frantz.

We would also like to thank Jo Ann Windberg for her contribution to Friends of the Market! Jo Ann is the organizer behind the wonderful music we’ve been hearing at the market for the last month!

If you would like to become a Friend of the Market for a suggested donation of $10.00, which entitles you to a free cup of coffee at every market you attend for a full year, please see me at the market this Saturday! We will also have Higher Grounds Coffee by the Cup for a suggested donation of $1.00.

Please remember that we are closed next Saturday, February 7th. We will be open again on Saturday, February 14th, and every other Saturday thereafter until spring.

Dec 20th is Our Last Holiday Market!

Published on December 19, 2008 by sweetWaterAdmin Category: What's New at the Market?

Hard to believe it’s almost the end of the year already! We have so many people to thank, but here in this space we give a big Sweetwater Hug to all of our 2008 New & Renewing Friends of the Market:

Susan Hoekema
Pam Dazey
Betsy Horrigan
Shirlee Sodini
Dawn Sherwood
Francine Anton
Jackie Fisher
Peter Kurdziel
Belinda Fish
Mike Hayes & Deanna Ray
Megan, Nicholas & Allison Boerema
Thom & Jen Jorgensen
Mike, Jennifer & Malcolm Johnson
Ginger Sobel
Delphine Hogston
Joan LaMourie
Victoria Veenstra & Robert Tyler
Jan, Karen & James Johnson
Scott, Sheryl, Hannah & Brandon Marshall
Dave Frederick & Hildi Paulson
Cynthia Anderson
Bob & Lynn Wood

And now for the LAST What’s New at the Market of 2008…….

Sweetwater Local Foods Market
Saturday, December 20th, 9:00am to 1:00pm
Winter Market Indoors at Hackley Health at the Lakes
On Harvey St. ½ mile S of Lakes Mall-exit US31 at Pontaluna Rd
We are a Bridge Card Market

Last Week of Our
“Have Yourself a Made In West Michigan Christmas!”

Please remember that we are closed next Saturday, December 27^th. We will be open again on Saturday, January 3^rd, and every other Saturday thereafter until spring.

Steve n’ Sons Grassfields Farm of Coopersville

Happy Holidays to Everyone from

Steve n’ sons Grassfields farm!

Great Gift Idea! Pound blocks of many varieties.
Certified Organic raw milk cheeses in the Dutch process tradition. Try Gouda, Gouda with Dill, Leyden, Gouda Spice (garlic & onion), Edam, Lamont Cheddar

Earthscape/Full Circle Farm of Hesperia

I will not be at the Market again till mid January so please come get your beef, olive oil, coffee, onions and cabbages at this week’s Market!

HIGHER GROUNDS COFFEE IS BACK! I’ll be bringing an assortment of 1# bags. This is another good Christmas gift idea. This week, all profits from the coffee will be donated to Sweetwater Market.
Bobier Farm-Raised Beef ~ Ground Beef, steaks, roasts (Standing Rib Roasts for Christmas!), stew meat, short ribs, soup bones, heart, tongue and beef liver. Our newest beef is 100% grass-fed; stock your freezers for winter! We are bringing more recipes this week. Check us out.

Veggies: Red and Yellow Onions, Garlic Bulbs and Red and Savoy Cabbages ~ from storage in our root cellar.
Fresh Rosemary from the Greenhouse.

Great Gift Idea! Organic Olive Oil! These oils are imported from all over the world. They are grown, pressed and bottled on small organic farms.

Incredible quality! Check out http://organicoliveoilcompany.com
Now in stock:
Lakelands 250 ml decanter $25
Mansur 375 ml $15; 750 ml $25
Villa Stabbia 375 ml $25
Catalan 250 ml $16; 500 ml $24
Moutere Grove 250 ml $20; 500 ml $35

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Creswick Farms of Ravenna

Creswick Farms at Sweetwater Mkt

Stock up for the Holidays! We won’t be back until January 3^rd!
Happy Holidays from the Creswick Family Farm to All of You!

Handcrafted Sausages and Specialty Meats
Back by customer demand: Red Hots Smoked sausage with a kick!
Fresh-Aire Pastured Pork. Apple Smoked Nitrite-Free Bacon, Boneless Pork Chops, Pork Breakfast sausage in links & bulk. Soup Seasoning Bacon Ends.
Pork Sausages: Garlic Kielbasa
Chicken Sausages include: Apple/Chicken Sausage Links and Chicken with Spinach & Feta Cheese.
Pastured Chicken
New! Smoked Chicken. Also: Whole Broilers, Ground Chicken.
Grass-fed Beef
New items! Shitake Mushroom Beef Burgers. Also: Filet Mignon, Chuck Roast, Round Roast and Beef Shank (great cut for the crock pot soup!), Ground Beef in 1 lb pkg and ¼ lb Beef Burgers 4/pkg
Pre-Orders: Email Chris Bedford at chrisbedford@charter.net by Monday before the market and he will have it ready for you to pick up on Saturday. For a complete list of products, please see the website: www.CreswickFarms.com .
Earthly Kneads Bakery of Muskegon
For market Saturday, Patrick will bring a selection of breads, cookies & granolas.
Ag and Health Alive of Marne
From Nantucket Bread Company of Grand Rapids: Chilled Whole Wheat Pizza Dough! Sold in single size bags, just roll out on a pizza tin, let rise a bit and then add your favorite toppings! Also: Whole Wheat Raisin Bread, Whole Wheat Bread, Seven-Grain Sourdough bread, Cranberry Walnut bread and Health Muffins. Made of whole grain organic flours.
Customer favorite back this week! Jerusalem Artichokes
Again this week! Duck Eggs. Fed certified organic feed. Find out why many bakers insist on using Duck Eggs.
Lamb! Time or order halves & whole lambs for your winter freezer. This week at the market: We have individual cuts of lamb in chops, roasts, ground lamb, stew meat and shanks.
Great gift idea! Give your favorite gardener a gift certificate from Ag & Health garden supplies! Who on your Christmas list wouldn’t appreciate a gift for their garden, or a great gardening or cook book? We are an authorized Fertrell Dealer and have a huge list of available organic garden supplies.
Happy Hill Farm of Hart

We are again offering Happy Hill gift certificates, perfect for Christmas gifts!
Turkey Sausage and Ground Turkey . Breakfast, Italian, Brat & Chorizo. Breakfast & Italian in links/andor bulk. Turkeys were fed certified organic feed.
Holiday Ducks! Young and tender. The drakes weigh about 6 lbs.; the hens are just over 3 lbs.
Pastured turkey: Fed certified organic grain. We will have frozen packaged thighs, drumsticks, breast roast, sliced breast, and tenderloin.
Pastured chicken: Two options: Frozen chicken fed certified organic grains or chicken fed our own 2^nd year transition corn. We have all cuts—whole, cut up, bone-in and boneless skinless breast, drumsticks, thighs, leg quarters and wings, soup stock, feet, liver, hearts and gizzards. All of our meats are raised on pasture with daily moves, and are processed on farm: no stressful transporting.
Stewing Hens. Hens retired from laying eggs make the best chicken soup in the world! Simmer these gals for several hours and you have genuine old-fashioned chicken! Or roast on high in the crockpot with no water for 8-12 hours for scrumptious roasted chicken!
Rabbit. Whole, frozen. Raised by David Filbrun on the farm.
Pastured Eggs. Large Eggs from chickens who live on grass.
Abundant Harvest Bakery will send a selection of cookies with the Happy Hill Farm. Thanks!
Olson Farm of Shelby
Sale! Taste of Spring Maple Syrup. All Christmas Themed and Maple Leaf Etched Gift Bottles will be on sale! Making maple syrup from the over 300 trees on the farm has been an Olson tradition for three generations now.
Potatoes. Stock up now for that Thanksgiving feast! Red Norland, Pontiac and Reddale Red potatoes, the Butte White Baking Potato; and Swedish, Russian & Banana fingerling potatoes.
Onions. Red Zeppelin and white keeping onions.

HandCrafteds
Locally made products good for the body and spirit! Great Christmas gift ideas!

New Vendor!
Theresa’s Bags n’Blooms

Theresa's Blooms & scattered poppy petals — Theresa's Bags n' Blooms

If you attended a market last summer chances are you remember Theresa and her beautiful flowers and hand-sewn bags. We were very happy to learn that her recent eye surgery was a success, and she will come to the market Saturday! No flowers, yet, of course but many newly designed bags for great gift ideas.

Brittanie’s Thyme
Nancy Schaap will return with lots of great all organic body care items, including
Organic Citrus Facial Cleanser (4oz – $12.00) and organic Hair Silk (1oz – $7.50). The Organic Citrus Facial Cleanser uses organic aloe, organic jojoba oil, organic grapefruit and rosemary essential oils to gently remove make-up, dirt and oils from your complexion. It also promotes hydration and moisturizing, even after you rinse your face. This product is an excellent part of daily skin care for all ages an especially teens as it will not over dry or clog pores. A great partner for some with our Organic Acne Treatment!
Our organic Hair Silk is an after shampoo leave in moisturizing shine treatment for all types of hair. It can be used on wet or dry hair and is totally safe to use with styling equipment such as blow dryers, curling irons, etc. The simple ingredients of organic Sweet Almond oil, Vitamin E and organic essential oils make this product a perfect finishing product but also a great detangler for the younger ones, without leaving a greasy feeling.
Brittanie’s Thyme is listed at Coop America (www.coopamerica.org) and Safe Cosmetics (www.safecosmetics.org), two entities who patrol the authenticity and safety of organic products. We are also making plans to become USDA certified organic very soon.

Ladybug Designs of Muskegon
Emma Hardiman will return this week with more of her wonderful, cozy knitted afghans, quilts, decorative doll clothes and angels. For our last market before Christmas Emma will have the following special offers:
Angels: Normally priced at Small $5.00. Medium $8.00 and tall (standing) $10.00
For the last holiday market they all will be $5.00 each!
Large Afghans: Normally priced at from $50.00 – $65.00
All large afghans are $50.00 for the holiday market.
Baby Medium Afghans: Normally priced at from $35.00 – $45.00
The day of holiday market are $30.00 each!
Pillow Blankets are $20.00

Aquarian Vibe Art Co of Spring Lake
Sheryl Marshall, Spring Lake glass artist
Special Sale! LAST CHANCE BEFORE CHRISTMAS! $3 off 1 bowl $35 and up, $9 off 2, and $15 off 3 or more.
Sheryl will be bringing new kilnwork including bowls, sushi plates, draped glass, and flattened bottles. Special orders for Christmas aren’t being taken at this time, but there are still many lovely existing pieces that need good homes.

Imagination to Creation Jewelry of North Muskegon
I.C. Jewelry was begun nearly 6 years ago by local artist Patti Featherly, who will join us again this week showing some of her beautiful and functional jewelry items.
Christmas Special! Visit my booth for special offers on various sets.
Under the Pines of Fruitport
Great for group gifts and stocking stuffers!
Back by popular demand handcrafted soaps in the following aromas: Patchouli and Sweet Orange, Lavender & Tea Tree, Lemongrass & Coconut, Lacy Lavender. All of our soaps have 10% shea butter added to help fight that winter “dry” skin.
Gift idea! All of the above soaps have matching body butters for holiday gift giving. Use our wonderful intensive moisturizing body butters on feet, knees, elbows, cuticles and hands.
Try our new handcrafted (made from scratch) soap: Triple Tree. This soap is made with corn mint, spearmint, peppermint and tea tree essential oils. Leaves your skin with that fresh tingly feeling.”
Stop by and see our other assortment of hand crafted bath and body goodies too, for you and the special people on your list.
Sale! Washing Soda (laundry soap) special – buy one get one for half price.
Bee and Botanicals of Spring Lake
Crafting under her own name, Julia has great little gifts as well; lavender dryer bags, floral and woodsy sachets, hand crafted gift tags and cards.
LaMaire Handblown Glass Art of Grand Haven
http://www.lamairestudios.com/
Linda LaMaire will be bringing the glasswork of her son Jonathan LaMaire. He has been a glassblower for 10 years, now working out of his studio in Grand Haven. She will bring: handblown glass pendants, bracelets, perfume bottles, marbles, oil lamps and diffuser bottles (including diffuser reeds and essential oils).

Jonathan’s glass art is sold in several different galleries and museums throughout the country.

Beech Coast Studio Pottery of West Olive

Susan Hoekema is back with stoneware bowls and mugs and colorful maiolica tiles and serving dishes, influenced by the lakeshore around her studio and her sojourns in Africa.

Week Three of Our “Have Yourself a Made in West Michigan Christmas!”

Published on December 12, 2008 by sweetWaterAdmin Category: Uncategorized

Thanks so much to all of the brave souls (vendors & customers) who came out last Saturday in spite of the terrible weather!

Beautiful Christmas tree in Hackley Health atrium

One of the things we have come to love the most about the grand space we occupy in the winter is the beautiful and grand Christmas trees placed in three locations in the lobby & atrium. The two story prairie-style building almost seems to have been designed with Christmas in mind.

Of course, shuffling all the vendors around to make room for them is always a challenge, but the spirit they lend to our Holiday Market is well worth it.

Accomodating the great Christmas trees....

This Saturday December 13th, looks like a better weather forecast. We have new vendors coming and others returning, so come on out and join us!

Abundant Harvest Bakery of Hart
Dennise & Elisa are baking up a storm (hmm, maybe I should tell them to stop…) and they will be bringing a great assortment of Christmas Goodies like Gingerbread Scones
Apple Galettes, Quiche, Holiday Pies & Gluten free Apple Cakes. Come sample a Christmas treat!
New Vendor!
Martinus Maple Syrup of West Olive

Making maple syrup or “sugaring off” brings winter to a close and allows spring to begin early at our sugarbush in West Olive off Lakeshore Drive. During the mud season of March, when there is often little to do out-of-doors, our sugar shack and sugarbush is bustling with activity: tapping, setting up equipment, collecting sap, getting firewood, boiling, collecting sap, boiling, tending fire, boiling, and finishing off. Syruping activities are often pleasantly interrupted by visiting small groups; rest home residents, church groups, fourth graders, garden club, cub scouts. . .
We learned the art of sugaring off via apprenticeship from an elderly neighbor, and it was soon in our blood. Our home-operation started in the early 1990s, and moved indoors into our sugar shack in 2001. Yearly, we tap about 80 trees, and with150 taps, produce on average, 25 gallons.
Bill and Shirley Martinus
17300 Beach Ridge Way
West Olive, MI 49460
Steve n’ Sons Grassfields Farm of Coopersville
Back this week! Fait Gras (European cheddar) & Chili Pepper Gouda!
Great Gift Idea! Pound blocks of many varieties.
Certified Organic raw milk cheeses in the Dutch process tradition. Try Gouda, Gouda with Dill, Leyden, Gouda Spice (garlic & onion), Edam, Lamont Cheddar
Earthscape/Full Circle Farm of Hesperia
Bobier Farm-Raised Beef ~ Ground Beef, steaks, roasts (Standing Rib Roasts for Christmas!), stew meat, short ribs, soup bones, heart, tongue and beef liver. Our newest beef is 100% grass-fed; stock your freezers for winter!
Veggies: Red Onions, Celeriac, and Red and Savoy Cabbages ~ from storage in our root cellar.

Great Gift Idea! Organic Olive Oil! These oils are imported from all over the world. Grown, pressed and bottled on small organic farms. Incredible quality! Checkout http://organicoliveoilcompany.com
Now in stock:
Lakelands 250 ml decanter $25
Mansur 250 ml $12; 500 ml $18.
Catalan 250 ml $16; 500 ml $24
Moutere Grove 250 ml $20; 500 ml $35
Creswick Farms of Ravenna
Handcrafted Sausages and Specialty Meats
Back by customer demand: Red Hots Little Links! Smoked sausage with a kick!
Fresh-Aire Pastured Pork.
Hickory Smoked Nitrite-Free Bacon, Boneless Pork Chops, Pork Breakfast sausage in links & bulk.
Pork Sausages include: Garlic Kielbasa and German Thuringer. Also Chicago Style Beef and Pork Hotdogs.
Chicken Sausages include: Apple/Chicken Sausage Links and Chicken with Spinach & Feta Cheese.
Pastured Chicken
New! Smoked Chicken. Also: Whole Broilers, Ground Chicken.
Grass-fed Beef
New items! Rib-Eye Steak and Shitake Mushroom Beef Burgers. Also: Filet Mignon, T-Bone Steak, Chuck Roast, Round Roast and Beef Shank (great cut for the crock pot!), Ground Beef in 1 lb pkg and ¼ lb Beef Burgers 4/pkg
For a complete list of products, please see the website: www.CreswickFarms.com .

Earthly Kneads Bakery of Muskegon
Bakery Hours: Tuesday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Saturday from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Closed Sunday & Monday. Visit webwsite: http://www.earthlykneads.com/ Store location: 810 Terrace St., Muskegon, MI 49440. Ph: 231 728-6383

For market Saturday, Patrick will bring a selection of breads, cookies & granolas.
Ag and Health Alive of Marne
From Nantucket Bread Company of Grand Rapids: Chilled Whole Wheat Pizza Dough! Sold in single size bags, just roll out on a pizza tin, let rise a bit and then add your favorite toppings! Also: Whole Wheat Raisin Bread, Whole Wheat Bread, Seven-Grain Sourdough bread, Cranberry Walnut bread and Health Muffins. Made of whole grain organic flours.
Customer favorite back this week! Jerusalem Artichokes
Other Veggies & Fruits. Turnips & Daikon Radish. Our own Winter squash, green and red cabbage and Empire, Ida Reds, and Golden Delicious certified organic apples from Evergreen Lane Farm of Fennville.
New this week! Duck Eggs. Fed certified organic feed.
Lamb! Time or order halves & whole lambs for your winter freezer. This week at the market: We have individual cuts of lamb in chops, roasts, ground lamb, stew meat and shanks.
Great gift idea! Give your favorite gardener a gift certificate from Ag & Health garden supplies! Who on your Christmas list wouldn’t appreciate a gift for their garden, or a great gardening or cook book? We are an authorized Fertrell Dealer and have a huge list of available organic garden supplies.
Happy Hill Farm of Hart
Turkey Sausage and Ground Turkey . Breakfast, Italian, Brat & Chorizo. Breakfast & Italian in links/andor bulk. Turkeys were fed certified organic feed.
Holiday Ducks! Young and tender. The drakes weigh about 6 lbs.; the hens are just over 3 lbs.
Pastured turkey: Fed certified organic grain. We will have frozen packaged thighs, drumsticks, breast roast, sliced breast, and tenderloin.
Pastured chicken: Two options: Frozen chicken fed certified organic grains or chicken fed our own 2^nd year transition corn. We have all cuts—whole, cut up, bone-in and boneless skinless breast, drumsticks, thighs, leg quarters and wings, soup stock, feet, liver, hearts and gizzards. All of our meats are raised on pasture with daily moves, and are processed on farm: no stressful transporting.
Stewing Hens. Hens retired from laying eggs make the best chicken soup in the world! Simmer these gals for several hours and you have genuine old-fashioned chicken! Or roast on high in the crockpot with no water for 8-12 hours for scrumptious roasted chicken!
Rabbit. Whole, frozen. Raised by David Filbrun on the farm.
Pastured Eggs. Large Eggs from chickens who live on grass.
Olson Farm of Shelby
Sale! Taste of Spring Maple Syrup. All Christmas Themed and Maple Leaf Etched Gift Bottles will be on sale! Making maple syrup from the over 300 trees on the farm has been an Olson tradition for three generations now.
Potatoes. Stock up now for that Thanksgiving feast! Red Norland, Pontiac and Reddale Red potatoes, the Butte White Baking Potato; and Swedish, Russian & Banana fingerling potatoes.
Onions. Red Zeppelin and white keeping onions.

HandCrafteds

Locally made products good for the body and spirit! Great Christmas gift ideas!

Bountiful Increase of Whitehall
Anita is back, for possibly just this week, with a fresh batch of soaps, lotions and massage oils-buy this week while supplies last! She reports: I have a fresh batch of lotion made-wonderfully scented with lemon and lavender I also have beautiful red and green swirl soap, which combines the all-time favorite spearmint soap with the holiday tradition peppermint soap. The result is a very double minty bar! I also have a fresh batch of lemongrass soap and for those who have been waiting, I have shampoo bars. Boo boo sticks and relief sticks will be available this week, along with lotion bars. For the women we have bronze mica lip shimmers, which is our lip balm with a touch of bronze color added. Also this week we have massage oils, including: workaholic oil, migraine oil, childrens cold oil, baby oil and more. We have Goodie Bar soap, with the lovely scent of cinnamon, Rosemary Soap, a zesty herb-sprinkled bar. We have our traditional goatmilk soap with the lovely scent of lavender and lemon. our Kitchen Bar removes odors from your hands, such as onion, garlic and fish. And our Grease-Cutter Soap removes grease and oils from your hands with the aid of pumice and orange oil. Laundry and dish soap will be available this week. We have a beautiful soap dish for sale hand made by the very talented Peter Johnson, this round soap dish compliments our round bar soap wonderfully-only one in stock. MANY of these items are limited in supply and/or only available for Christmas, if you are interested in these items they may not be available after this week. Small gift bags are available.
Under the Pines of Fruitport
Great for group gifts and stocking stuffers!
Back by popular demand handcrafted soaps in the following aromas: Patchouli and Sweet Orange, Lavender & Tea Tree, Lemongrass & Coconut, Lacy Lavender. All of our soaps have 10% shea butter added to help fight that winter “dry” skin.
Gift idea! All of the above soaps have matching body butters for holiday gift giving. Use our wonderful intensive moisturizing body butters on feet, knees, elbows, cuticles and hands.
Try our new handcrafted (made from scratch) soap: Triple Tree. This soap is made with corn mint, spearmint, peppermint and tea tree essential oils. Leaves your skin with that fresh tingly feeling.”
Stop by and see our other assortment of hand crafted bath and body goodies too, for you and the special people on your list.Sale! Washing Soda (laundry soap) special – buy one get one for half price.
Bee and Botanicals of Spring Lake
Crafting under her own name, Julia has great little gifts as well; lavender dryer bags, floral and woodsy sachets, hand crafted gift tags and cards.
New Vendor!
Kathy Lucas Craftworks of Grand Haven
Kathy has been sewing and quilting for over 30 years in her home, making items for family and friends. She is a native of New Jersey, where she was president of the Brownstone Quilt Guild from 1997 to 1999.
Kathy will bring Knitted & Fabric Hats, adults & kids sizes, Cloth Handbags, Quilted Patchwork Lavender Sachets, Felted Coasters and some of her photo-cards.
New Vendor!
LaMaire Handblown Glass Art of Grand Haven
http://www.lamairestudios.com/
Linda LaMaire will be bringing the glasswork of her son Jonathan LaMaire. He has been a glassblower for 10 years, now working out of his studio in Grand Haven. She will bring: handblown glass pendants, bracelets, perfume bottles, marbles, oil lamps and diffuser bottles (including diffuser reeds and essential oils) Jonathan’s glass art is sold in several different galleries and museums throughout the country.

Beech Coast Studio Pottery of West Olive

Susan Hoekema is back with stoneware bowls and mugs and colorful maiolica tiles and serving dishes, influenced by the lakeshore around her studio and her sojourns in Africa.

Aquarian Vibe Art Co of Spring Lake
Special Sale! This week only: $3 off 1 bowl $35 and up, $9 off 2, and $15 off 3 or more.
Sheryl will also be bringing new kilnwork including bowls, sushi plates, draped glass, and flattened bottles. Do your Christmas shopping early to get the best pieces before someone else does. Also: Glass sample sets. Choose your own colors for custom-ordered artwork that can be made in time for Christmas. Custom orders must be requested 2 weeks before needed and require a deposit of half down.

Artists Sheryl Marshall & Ann Nessa Dec 6th Market

Fiber Creations of Whitehall
As artist/owner Ann Nessa says: “Fiber is good for ya!” She takes recycled wools, handwoven, knit and felt fibers and turns them into beautiful and useful items like purses, scarves, wall hangings and shopping bags. In addition, Ann has now turned her creative eye to pottery and will bring a few a selection of Sushi Bowls and Fired Clay Jewelry Pins.

Have Yourself a Made in Michigan Christmas!

Published on December 5, 2008 by sweetWaterAdmin Category: Uncategorized

Made in West Michigan naturally dyed wool

As Michigan’s only all local farmers market featuring foods produced according to organic standards, our main focus has always been on gaining customer acceptance of “healthy, humane & homegrown” foods. Beginning last year we decided to add locally made arts & crafts to the market during the Christmas season.

This year, with the economy in a funk and less dollars to spend on gifts, it’s even more important to “act locally”. Going on every Saturday from now until Christmas, our Sweetwater Holiday Market will enchant you with tons of ideas for wonderful, affordable, locally made gifts. Whether it’s beautiful blown glass oil lamps, or Swarovsky crystal jewelry, or all organic Body Care products, the HandCrafters featured at Sweetwater need your support! Why not keep the Christmas spending and spirit in our local economy this year?

Winter Market Season Opens with Customer Appreciation Day!

Published on November 21, 2008 by sweetWaterAdmin Category: Events

Mercy General Partners Hackley Health at the Lakes

Sweetwater Winter Market View from 2nd floor

Saturday, November 22^nd 9:00am to 1:00pm

Sweetwater Local Foods Market will open its Winter Market Season with a Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, November 22nd from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Shoppers can sample free cookies and organic coffee and sign up for gift drawings at each vendor booth. Field Reichardt, owner of Organic Olive Oil Company of Spring Lake, will be on hand to offer tastings of his newest oils.

Sweetwater will offer market-goers a great option for shopping for locally produced holiday gifts. Each Saturday a unique assortment of gift items will be available from local artists and craftspeople including: holiday jewelry gift sets, felted scarves & purses, Christmas wreaths and garlands, handcrafted soaps, lotions and body care products, and much more. Of course there will also be all of the wonderful locally grown meats, eggs, cheeses, baked goods and fresh winter veggies customers have come to expect from Sweetwater Local Foods Market farmers & vendors.

The Sweetwater Winter Market will be open every Saturday from 9:00am to 1:00pm through December 20th. The market will be closed on December 27^th and will reopen January 3^th and every other Saturday thereafter until May, when the market resumes its every Saturday market.

The Market operates in the lobby of the Mercy General Partners Hackley Health at the Lakes building on Harvey Street south of the Muskegon Lakes Mall near the Pontaluna Road/US31 interchange.

For more information contact:

Market Manager Diana Jancek

231 893-0323

Website at www.sweetwaterlocalfoodsmarket.org

You say Tomato, and I say Yes!, Finally, TOMATO!

Published on September 19, 2008 by sweetWaterAdmin Category: From the Market to the Table

No matter how you spell it, the one question every veggie grower in the country was asking this summer was “What’s up with the tomatoes?” Slow to start, and even slower to ripen, they got to most markets at least two weeks to a month behind last year. But, they are coming on strong now, and so below find two great recipes for using them, as well as one for all that zucchini.

Fresh Tomato Sauce with Fennel

Makes enough sauce for 1 lb of pasta

4 tbsp olive oil
1 medium bulb fennel, trimmed of stalks, halved, cored and cut into 1/4 inch dice (about 1 1/2 cups)

2 med. cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp fennel seeds, lightly crushed
1/8 tsp hot pepper flakes
2 strips orange peel (each 3×1 inch)
3 tbsp fresh orange juice
3 lbs ripe tomatoes, cored, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2 inch pieces (about 3 3/4 cups)

3 tbsp chopped fresh basil, and salt, pepper to taste.

Heat 2 tbsp oil in 10 inch skillet. Add fennel and cook until softened and browned around edges about 4-6 min.
Add garlic, fennel seed, pepper flakes, orange peel.Cook, stirring constantly until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Stir in tomatoes and cook until tomato pieces lose their shape to form chunky sauce, about 10 minutes.

Remove and discard orange peel. Stir in orange juice, basil, salt, pepper and sugar to taste. toss sauce and remaining 2 tbsp oil with pasta and serve.

Tomato Mint Bruschetta with Goat Cheese

Be sure to toast the bread until it’s nice and crispy so that it won’t become too soft when topped with the juicy tomato mixture.

1 large tomato, diced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
24 (1/4-inch) slices Earthly Kneads Tuscan bread
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 oz Dancing Goat Creamery goat cheese
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh mint
24 whole fresh mint leaves

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Combine tomato, onion, lemon juice, salt and pepper in medium bowl.

2. Lightly brush one side of bread slices with oil; place, oil-side up, on baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes or until tops are dry and crispy.

3. Spread crispy side of each bread slice with 1 teaspoon goat cheese; top with 1 tablespoon of the tomato mixture. Return to baking sheet; bake 5 minutes or until warm. Sprinkle with mint; garnish with mint leaves.

24 servings

PER SERVING: 65 calories, 3 g total fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 2.5 g protein, 7.5 g carbohydrate, 5 mg cholesterol, 120 mg sodium, .5 g fiber

Zucchini Cornmeal Spoonbread

Be sure to thoroughly drain the shredded zucchini so the spoonbread is creamy, not watery. Serve it with grilled meats or fish.

3 cups shredded zucchini (about 3 medium
zucchini)
3 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped onion.
1/2 cup melted butter or vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups cornmeal

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 1 1/2-quart gratin or baking dish with cooking spray. Place zucchini in large strainer set over bowl; let stand 10 minutes. Press or squeeze zucchini to remove excess liquid.

2. Whisk eggs in large bowl until blended. Stir in sour cream, cheese, onion, butter and salt until combined. Stir in zucchini and cornmeal until blended. Pour into gratin dish.

3. Bake 25 minutes or until edges are golden brown and knife inserted in center comes out clean.

8 servings

PER SERVING: 355 calories, 24.5 g total fat (14.5 g saturated fat), 10 g protein, 24.5 g carbohydrate, 145 mg cholesterol, 275 mg sodium, 3 g fiber

Yes Virginia, there is a good eggplant recipe!

Published on September 12, 2008 by sweetWaterAdmin Category: From the Market to the Table

The great thing about the abundance that always comes in September is that the weather cools off enough so that you can actually stand the heat in the kitchen again! Roasting veggies has become my new passion, thanks to Bill & Patrice Bobier and the great meal we had up at Earthscape Farm a while back. Here is a recipe for Eggplant Tomato Gratin, featuring roasted eggplant, from Martha Rose Shulman.

By MARTHA ROSE SHULMAN

This is a delicious, low-fat version of eggplant Parmesan. Instead of breaded, fried eggplant, though, the eggplant in this dish is roasted and sliced, layered with a rich tomato sauce and freshly grated Parmesan, and baked in a hot oven until bubbly.

For the tomato sauce:

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 small or 1/2 medium onion, chopped

2 to 4 garlic cloves (to taste)

2 pounds fresh tomatoes, quartered if you have a food mill or else peeled, seeded and chopped; or 1 1/2 (28-ounce) cans chopped tomatoes, with juice

Salt and freshly ground pepper

1/8 teaspoon sugar

2 sprigs fresh basil

For the gratin:

2 pounds eggplant, roasted (see below)

Salt and freshly ground pepper

2 tablespoons slivered fresh basil leaves

2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan

1/4 cup bread crumbs

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1. Roast the eggplant.

2. Meanwhile, to make the tomato sauce, heat the olive oil in a large, heavy, preferably nonstick skillet over medium heat, and add the onion. Stir until tender, about five to eight minutes, then add the garlic. Stir until fragrant, about a minute, and add the tomatoes, salt (1/2 to 1 teaspoon), pepper, sugar and basil sprigs. Turn the heat up to medium-high. When the tomatoes are bubbling, stir well and then turn the heat back to medium. Stir often, until the tomatoes have cooked down and are beginning to stick to the pan, about 25 minutes. Remove the basil sprigs.

3. If you did not peel the tomatoes, put the sauce through the fine blade of a food mill. If the tomatoes were peeled, pulse the sauce in a food processor fitted with the steel blade until coarsely pureed. Taste and adjust seasoning.

4. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Set aside 1/4 cup of the Parmesan and mix with the bread crumbs. Oil the inside of a two-quart gratin or baking dish with olive oil. Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce over the bottom of the dish. Slice the roasted eggplant about 1/4 inch thick, and set an even layer of slices over the tomato sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon a layer of sauce over the eggplant, and sprinkle with basil and Parmesan. Repeat the layers one or two more times, depending on the shape of your dish and the size of your eggplant slices, ending with a layer of sauce topped with the Parmesan and bread crumb mixture you set aside. Drizzle one tablespoon of olive oil over the top. Place in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until bubbling and browned on the top and edges. Remove from the heat and allow to sit for at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve hot, warm or room temperature.

Yield: Serves six

Advance preparation: The tomato sauce can be made up to three days ahead. The casserole can be assembled a day ahead, covered and refrigerated, then baked when you wish to serve it. Don’t add the last layer of bread crumbs and Parmesan, with the drizzle of olive oil, until right before you bake it.

To Roast the Eggplant:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Cut the stem and calyx off the eggplant, and cut the body lengthwise in half. Score large eggplants down the middle with the tip of a knife, being careful not to cut through the skin. Japanese eggplants and other small eggplants need not be scored.

Cover a baking sheet with foil, and brush the foil with extra virgin olive oil. Place the eggplant on the foil, cut side down. Place in the oven and roast large, fat eggplants for 20 to 25 minutes, depending on the size; small, narrow Japanese eggplants (and other varieties) should be roasted for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven when skin has begun to shrivel, the edges and cut surface are browned, and the eggplant has softened but not collapsed. Remove from the oven, and use a spatula to detach from the foil if the eggplant is sticking. (If a thin surface of browned eggplant stays behind, don’t worry.) Place the eggplant halves cut side down on a rack set over a baking sheet, or in a colander. Allow to cool and drain for 15 to 30 minutes.

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