Market bags to serve as a 'healthy' reminder

It is with some sadness, yet with lots of satisfaction, that we mark today as the last Thursday for the 2009 season for the Farmers Market on Historic North First Street. We undertook this huge task in the hopes of promoting the healthy produce and great products that our local businesses have, while working hard to make it accessible to more people.

To help you remember to stay healthy throughout the rest of the year and into the 2010 market season, we will be giving away the other half of the market bags. Just like last time, you can get a free bag with the purchase of $3 or more with vendors at the market. It can be as easy as getting those peppers and onions to make some salsa or some hamburger patties for that Labor Day cookout or other those items you have on your shopping list - you can get a market bag.

Be sure to stop by from 3 to 7 pm today to help us close the season. There will be live entertainment, provided by 2BadActors. The mister will be available for the kids, and the smiling faces of the vendors will be there to thank you for making Champaign-Urbana a healthier place.

African dancing and drumming returns to market!

The Market is pleased to announce this week's special entertainment - the return of the African dancing and drumming. During the previous performance at the market, patrons were drawn instantly to the earthy and rhythmic performance. Some pulled up lawn chairs, while others took a hands-on approach.

If you missed it, here’s why everyone is so excited. The Master Dancer, Djibril Camara, who hails from Guinea, has been wowing audiences everywhere he goes. He has worked extensively with another local artist, Master Drummer Bolokada Conde, showcasing their talent through dance and drum classes in Chicago. Locally, Djibril provides a local dance class at the Channing-Murray dance studio in Urbana. Champaign-Urbana is certainly fortunate to have to such talented artists residing here.

Here’s a quote from a Twitter update from when he was performing at the Common Grounds Co-op:
"Oh my goodness, the African drumming and dancing on the Co-op's porch is AMAZING! We're having to keep crowds from blocking the street!"

So don’t miss this week’s market. Come see and hear for yourself - Thursday, August 20 from 5:30 to 7:00 at the Farmers Market on Historic North First Street.

salsa! salsa! salsa!

No unfortunately, we don't have any salsa dancers coming to the market. However, there are plenty of peppers available to spice up your life, or at least your salsa. I've blogged before about the beauty, quality and variety of tomatoes available at the market, but I haven't mentioned the peppers.

Well, last week, the pepper selection was at its best so far. And by the time I took a picture of the all the peppers available, the hottest ones were gone. Apparently, one patron asked for all the habaneros the vendor had. Now that's what you call a hot commodity! (Sorry, but I couldn't help myself; too easy.)

So if you are looking to make some salsa from all those tomatoes you grew, come get your peppers. And while you're there, pick up some orange or purple tomatoes. Your family and friends will say "Ooo" and "Ahh" when they see how pretty your salsa is, and then "Wow" when they bite into those spicy peppers.

Picante!

The bounty of summer is here!

The mild summer weather has been nice, but it has delayed the appearance of some summer's most delicious veggies. So whether you've been wanting to make grilled eggplant, zucchini boats, cole slaw, or try out a new green bean recipe, the best of summer's veggies are available at the Farmers Market on Historic North First Street.

Not only is the quantity and variety awesome, but the taste simply can't be beat. You don't have to settle for those hydroponic, bland tomatoes that are in the large grocery stores. The green beans are at their 'snappiest'. And the variety and sizes of both zucchini and cabbages is unrivaled for miles around.

So whatever your favorite summer recipe is, be sure to stop by on Thursday, from 3 to 7 to get summer's finest veggies. And you might even get your kids to eat their veggies without a fuss. (No promises there, but life is full of surprises.)

Perenially perfect!

One of the vendors at the market, who is known for his wide selection of herbs, is having a sale on his selection of Illinois native perennials. These are plants that will grow very well in ideal conditions and will still stand tall when others simply can't stand the extremes of weather often experienced in Illinois summers.

The plants that he will have will include Blue False Indigo, Cream False Indigo, New England Asters, Blue Lobelia, Prairie Liatris, Anise Hyssop and Beardstongue Foxglove. The plants are gallon sized, so you'll have the instant satisfaction.

And here's the best part. They will be on sale for only $4! Come on down and check out the booth for Goodison Gardens, and you'll be the envy of all your neighbors.

BLT sandwiches - a summer favorite!

If you haven't been to the Farmers Market on Historic North 1st Street this season, then this Thursday is the perfect day for you to give it a try. And if you have been craving that perfect BLT, the Market has all the fixings!

You can start off your shopping at either Pekara Bakery or Kaskaskia Farms booths for the perfect bread. Next stop by the Gray's for their beautiful selection of greens. Check out Cary's for the perfect tomato, whether you preference in tomatoes is juicy or meaty. And last, get your bacon from the Toohill's.

Is your mouth watering yet?

Market Bag Promo Causes Outbreak of Happiness at Local Market

There were reports of outbreaks of smiles for many patrons to the Farmers Market last Thursday. The market manager has admitted that the cause of the outbreak was due to a promotional event - a gift of a free market bag with purchase. One of the patrons who fell victim to this outbreak was the beloved Miss Drish, pictured above clutching a cookie from Pekara Bakery. The market manager stated that there will probably be another outbreak sometime in the near future because "smiles and expressions of praise for the market tend to break out when people visit the Market". The manager doesn't expect the outbreak to be contained until after August 27th, the last day of the market season.