Newsletter 3-20-13

New Farmers and Spring Gardening Workshops

This spring we're welcoming more evening daylight (woo hoo!), warmer temps, and so many new farmers and events. Read on to see what's new! 

New Farmers

Earthworks Community Farm

Earthworks is an urban farm and program of the San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps. They are hyper-local to our market, located only a mere 7 miles away in South El Monte. Earthworks grows a variety of produce, and focuses on job training and leadership development for low-income young people in the community. Youth ages 16-24 work as apprentice farmers under the leadership of veteran farmers to grow fruits, veggies, herbs, and flowers. A good portion of their produce is even donated to local food banks to support families in need. Come see them this Friday and find out what's in season. 

Gama Farms

Gama Farms from Arvin, CA (near Bakersfield) is family run by Jesus and Maria Elena Gama, operating since 1989. Gama grows potatoes, onions (shallots too!), and garlic year round. They also have over 1,400 chickens that roam freely and lay the best all natural eggs. Pick up a dozen of fresh eggs this Friday.

Greenshower Nursery

Want fresh local Asian veggies? Greenshower Nursery is from Rowland Heights and has yummy greens and more available for you every Friday. Check them out! 

Nuvo Olive Oil

Did you know we have a new certified olive oil farmer at the market? Nuvo Olive Oil is a brand new family run business operated by brothers, Nathan and Joshua Mardigian. Their olive orchard is located up north in Oroville. Their California certified extra-virgen olive oil is so freshly crushed you can taste the wonderful minerals and antioxidants that make olive oil such a rich heart healthy food. And, don't forget to bring your empty bottles because they can filler up for you! Come and welcome this team of brothers and sample real California EVOO.

Gardening Workshops

Interested in getting your hands a little dirty this Spring? Join us in April for a series of gardening workshops at the market to help you get started. Be sure to follow us on Facebook to get the latest updates on Friday evening events at the market. 

4/5 @ 6pm: Perennial Vegetables
4/19 @ 6pm: Succulents 
4/26 @ 6pm: Worm Composting 

Save-the-Date: 4/12

Health & Wellness Day 


See you Friday!
-MPCFM

Newsletter 2-13-13

Heart Healthy Foods & Upcoming Farmers' Market Events

Spread the Love of Health with Heart Healthy Fresh Foods

Valentine's Day is tomorrow, but why not skip the candy and chocolates in favor of a few farm fresh foods your heart will healthfully pitter patter for. Check out what we've got: 

Avocados

Avocados are in season and it's high time we take them off the "too fat, no thanks" list. Yes, avos are high in fat, but the type of fat really matters. Avos are rich in healthy fats, otherwise known as monounsaturated fats, that promote good cardiovascular health. They can help lower bad cholesterol and give you a boost of good cholesterol. Research has also pointed to their anti-inflammatory benefits which help when the body is sick. Avos are also an excellent fruit rich in fiber to keep your digestive system healthy. Fuertes are in season now! Come give them a try. Fresh avocados from Atkins Nursery this Friday. 

Almonds and Walnuts

Almonds and walnuts are known to be the healthy nuts on the block. They are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids which promote heart health. Almonds in particular are a good source of Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant known to keep your immune system, hair, and skin healthy too. And remember, walnuts and almonds are packed with healthy fats to keep you feeling full longer. Visit Alex's Fruit & Nuts to pick up your heart healthy snacks. 

Berries

Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries--not only are they sweet and fresh, but rich in heart healthy antioxidants. The antioxidants found in berries can help prevent or reduce inflammation in the body, which helps reduce your risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. Research has shown blueberries in particular can offer added protection to your heart by helping maintain healthy blood pressure. Visit New Era Farms on Friday for a wide variety of berries to please the heart. 

Starting a Home-Based Food Business

Cottage Food Law Workshop 3/8 @ 5:30pm

California's new Cottage Food Law went into effect this January and we want to help you get started! Join us at the farmers' market on 3/8 for a community workshop led by Mark Anderson, executive director of our farmers' market operating non-profit, Sprouts of Promise Foundation, to learn the steps needed to turn your food venture idea into a tangible business. Please RSVP to montereyparkfm@gmail.com, as space is limited. 

More Upcoming Events at the Farmers' Market 

3/1 5:30pm Cooking Demonstation

3/8 5:30pm Cottage Food Workshop (see above)

3/8 6:30pm Free Zumba Class!

3/15  4-8pm Ask-a-Dietician: Free nutrition advice and healthy recipe samples

3/22 6pm Easter Egg Dyeing with Natural Products. Come also to learn and support our local non-profits (all night)

We're in for a sunny and warm Friday...we'll see you at the market 4-8pm. 

-MPCFM 

Newsletter 1-9-13

Neighborhood Recipe Swap is Coming!

Foodie February 

This February we're inviting out all neighborhood foodies to get the best and freshest ingredients from our farmers and try their hand at participating in our Neighborhood Recipe Swap! If you love to cook, or even if you're just starting to dabble in the kitchen-- we want to know you! We're looking for the best neighborhood recipes featuring fresh seasonal fruits and veggies from our farmers. Please submit your favorite fruit and veggie-focused recipe (remember, it's winter-- so think seasonal) to us at montereyparkfm@gmail.com. We will choose a new favorite recipe to feature every Friday in February and invite the lucky winner to demonstrate their recipe live at 5:30pm for the neighborhood to share. If you have questions on how to participate or if you're already set to go--get in touch with us soon! Don't forget to find us on Facebook for more updates. 

Market Match Returns 

This January we will bring back our Market Match program with the help of our partner, Hunger Action Los Angeles. If you receive EBT or SSI benefits, come see us in the red information tent at the market and we will give you an extra $5 to spend with our farmers when you spend $5. We are excited to help increase the buying power for fresh and healthy foods. Please spread the word to family and friends in the area so we may help increase access to affordable healthy foods to even more local residents in 2013. 

Need help finding out if you qualify for EBT or SSI? Call 626-569-4298 or fill out an application online.

Farmer Spotlight: Atkins Nursery

When's the last time you had a guava? How about a white sapote? Fresh macadamia nut? Ever tried a cherimoya? If you just answered no or never to these questions--oh boy, you are missing out on some of the best tropical winter produce Southern California has to offer! Atkins Nursery from Fallbrook, CA grows amazing seasonal fruit-bearing trees. They've got everything from fresh citrus and aromatic guava, to beautifully ripe Hass and Reed avocados. And just in time for winter cold and flu season, they have the best cara cara and blood oranges (and grapefruit!) to give you the Vitamin C needed to stay healthy. 

Atkins Nursery reliably provides the best local exotic fruits and citrus to you each and every week. Stop in and ask Rafael what's new this Friday. 

Get Your Winter Recipe Fix: Asian Citrus Salad Dressing

Dark leafy greens like spinach are said to have anti-inflammatory benefits to your body. If you're whipping together a quick spinach salad for lunch to take advantage of those nutritional benefits, go ahead and give this yummy new citrus salad dressing a try too! Vitamin C helps boost your immune system. Here's what you'll need from the market: oranges, ginger, and honey. Click here for the recipe. Enjoy. 

See you this Friday 4-8pm at the Library! 

-MPCFM 

Newsletter 12-5-12

Holiday Local Artisan Fair Fridays

Friday Dec 7th Kicks Off "Shop Local" Holiday Artisan Fair

Come show your support for local businesses and non-profit groups this Friday and the following two Fridays by purchasing handcrafted unique gifts this holiday season. Our local vendors will have scarves, stationary and greeting cards, jewelry, and so much more. We're also giving away free reusable bags with purchase from our artisans and crafters.  

Are you interested in selling your handmade holiday wares too? It's not too late to sign up for a space. Check out our website for more details. 

Farmer Spotlight: New Era Farms

New Era Farms hails from Nipomo, California in San Luis Obispo County. New Era is a family run farm that specializes in growing delicious berries. The mild weather of the central coast of California offers New Era the ability to grow plentiful fields of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries year-round. New Era prides themselves on offering their customers top quality berries at affordable prices. You can pick up a combination 3 pack of fresh berries at the farmers' market for low prices you'd be hard pressed to find at the supermarket. And, did you know berries are a great source of Vitamin C and antioxidants to help keep your immune system free from those upcoming winter flu bugs? 

We're Going Under Cover on Rainy Days

Every Friday the market will be open rain or shine. We'll open up shop beneath the covered library parking on rainy days to stay dry. On these days, we will also expand parking so you can enter the library entrance on Ramona and park closer to the market. Now there's really no excuse not to come out and greet our farmers! 

Zumba on 2nd Fridays 

Every second Friday of the month we host free Zumba at the Market. Get your work out gear on and get ready to sweat at 6:30pm! Next class is 12/14. Don't miss it!

Get Your Recipe Fix: Roasted Kohlrabi

Ever tried kohlrabi? It looks like quite the strange veggie but it's a unique member of the cabbage and turnip family that's very delicious! Here's a yummy easy recipe. Give it a try and let us know how you like it! 

See you Friday! 4-8pm at the Library. 

-Monterey Park Certified Farmers' Market

11-12-12 Newsletter

Welcoming the Winter Season with New Farmers and Holiday Cheer

Rain or Shine, We Got You Covered Every Friday

Did you know we're open every Friday evening, rain or shine? We're so lucky in Southern California to have such beautiful weather nearly near round, but when the rain does finally come, sometimes we seem to be caught without an umbrella! Don't let a little drizzle get you down. We'll be shifting a section of the market to the covered parking lot to help make your shopping experience a bit cozier this winter! 

Gift-Giving the Local Way

Every week we encourage you to shop locally with our farmers, and now we've got a very special holiday event to carry that local message into the gift-giving season. Why hassle with the mall or anxiously wait for an online gift to be shipped from who knows where when you can can get a uniquely made gift right here in Monterey Park? We're inviting local artisans and crafters to showcase their holiday wares with us the first three Fridays in December. And, here's a freebie you don't want to miss out on--when you shop with our local artisans, we'll give you a free reusable bag to haul your goodies. Now that's gift giving made easy!

Farmer Spotlight: Ha's Apple Farm

You haven't had a great autumn apple until you've tried one from Ha's Apple Farm. Ha's beautiful orchards in the Tehachapi Mountain Range are owned and operated by David and Kyung Ha. The Tehachapis are known to be quite windy but the cool weather at the higher elevation is exceptionally great for apple growing. Ha's grow several varieties of organic apples such as fuji, pink lady, and red delicious. Did you know they even have fresh apple butter, dried apples, and apple cider vinegar? Stop in for a sample this Friday-- you won't be disappointed! 

Apple Persimmon Pomegranate Salad

Need a quick and simple healthy side dish for Thanksgiving dinner? Here's what you'll need from the market: apples, persimmons, pomegranates, lemon, mint, and honey. Now check out the recipe for the super easy how-to! 

Stuffed? Walk to the Market Nov 23rd!

We'll be open the day after Thanksgiving on Friday November, 23rd! If you're feeling a little stuffed from too many Thanksgiving helpings (What--are we the only ones going up for seconds?), why don't you walk over to the market and pick up fresh and healthy foods to get your post-Thanksgiving meals squared away? 

See you this Friday, folks!

-Monterey Park Certified Farmers' Market

Newsletter 10-03-12

Fall seems late in coming with all our heat waves, but we still have lots of exciting and healthy things happening at Monterey Park Farmers' Market this month!

'ASK THE DIETICIAN' PROGRAM STARTED

Our September "Ask The Dietician" team

The County's Public Health Department has regular outreach to local farmers' markets, and we are happy to have them the next few months.

Come on October 19 from 5pm - 7pm to talk to a registered dietician, ask questions about health-related food issues, get healthy recipe ideas, and sample a fresh recipe made up from produce from our local farmers. This month's theme will be on carrots!

FALL RECIPE: Mixed Greens with Apples, Walnuts, and Dried Cherries

Our recipe from "Ask The Dietician" included produce from our farms: apples from Atkins Nursery, lettuce from Gaytan Farm, garlic from Vu Produce, and dried cherries and walnuts from MB Farms.

Here's the recipe in case you missed it and want to try it!

• 1 lb mixed greens, washed and dried
• 3 TB chopped walnuts
• 1 apple, chopped
• 1/4 C dried cherries or cranberries.
• 1 small clove garlic, minced
•  2 TB balsamic vinegar
• 1.5 TB olive oil
• Pepper to taste

Preparation: Combine mixed greens, walnuts, apples and dried berries in a salad bowl. Combine remaining ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake vigorously. Pour dressing over salad.

ZUMBA @ THE FARMERS' MARKET!

Zumba @ the farmers' market

Did you participate in the farmers' market Zumba class last month? If not, no worries. Due to popular demand, we are enthusiastic about bringing Zumba to our market every second Friday of the month at 6:30pm--this month we will have it on October 12.

Our Zumba session is located at the back of the market, in the shaded overhead parking area by the food vendors. Come in your workout gear and burn some calories, then afterwards refresh yourself at our food vendors and shop for your fresh fruits and veggies.


MARKET MATCH PROGRAM - spread the word!

The market accepts both WIC & EBT. In addition, we are happy to have partnered with Hunger Action Los Angeles to provide an amazing 'market match' program. Any EBT or SSI recipient that spends $5 at the market will receive a matching free $5 to also spend at the market. This is an amazing way to increase the buying power of EBT & SSI recipients - please spread the word to family and friends. More information can be found at our Information Booth at the market. Just look for the red tent. 


FARMER SPOTLIGHT: GAYTAN FAMILY FARMS

Hopefully you visited one of our newest additions to the market. Gaytan Family Farm located in Mira Loma, California. Recently we chatted with Maricela Gaytan, the eldest Gaytan Family sibling and operator of Gaytan Family Farm. Maricela was nice enough to also translate for her mother, Edelmira Gaytan, to tell us a about the history of their farm and more about their fresh and tasty fruits and veggies.  

Gaytan Family Farm was started in 2001 by Maricela's parents, Albertano and Edelmira Gaytan. Albertano worked as a farmworker for 14 years prior to establishing his own family farm. Edelmira said they were inspired to run a farm because both she and her husband grew up farming to feed their families and surrounding community. She also said, "Farming is something the whole family can be a part of. It helps everyone." 

Gaytan Family Farm's home base is in Mira Loma where they grow most of their herbs including: papalo, espazote, basil, cilantro, and parsley. They also grow crops of fresh fruits and veggies in Chino (green beans, squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, beets, cantaloupe, and watermelon), in Santa Maria (broccoli, celery, brussel sprouts, lettuce, carrots, and artichokes), and in Aguana (garlic, potatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe).

We asked Maricela and Edelmira what makes their farm so special and why you should shop with them. "Our family offers the best quality and great service." We agree. Come try their amazing produce for yourself every Friday at the market. 

08-23-12 Newsletter

Yes, The Market Is Open All Year!
Some of you have asked whether we are just for the summer or all year. The answer: We are open every Friday, all year! And don't forget, the market is open rain or shine so make sure to still come out and support us even if there are some sprinkles in the air.

Thanks for your continued support over the last two months! We are still recruiting farmers and vendors - you're weekly support is crucial in this process.


Back-to-School Health & Fitness Event, 09/07/12
Now that school is in session for many, our State Senator Ed Hernandez will be coming out to give food demonstrations encourage our youth in healthy eating at the market. We partnered with the City of Monterey Park, Alhambra Unified School District, and the Asian Pacific Islander Obesity Prevention Alliance.

Come and bring the whole family for a night of healthy fun!

Scheduled activities include:
5:00pm community Zumba class,
5:30pm food demonstration, and
6:30pm a community walk around Barnes Park.

Our Market Accepts WIC & EBT/Calfresh
Come by our Information Booth to use your EBT funds. Starting September 7th, we will also offer a Market Match program, which gives Calfresh recipients an additional free $5 to spend at the market when they spend $5 - thanks to our partnership with Hunger Action Los Angeles. This is a great opportunity to increase the buying power of EBT receipients - please spread the word to family and friends using EBT/Calfresh.

Farm of the Month: MB Farms
Mark Boujikian Farms, or MB Farms, is a family-owned farm from a small California town called Raisin City (near Fresno). An appropriate name as the juicy raisins sold here are dried from all the table grapes that are now in season.

The farm grows over 17 different kinds of table grapes, so be sure to check out the growing number of varieties being offered in subsequent weeks.

Rolando, who has been selling with MB Farms for the past five years, says the best part of his job is getting to meet new people. So next time you're at their stand, make sure to introduce yourself to Rolando as you try the amazing samples they provide!

Table Grapes Recipe & Nutritional Benefits
According to the Network for a Healthy California, "One cup of grapes is an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin K. Vitamin C helps the body heal cuts and wounds and helps lower the risk of infection. Vitamin K helps stop cuts and scrapes from bleeding too much and starts the healing process."

While it's simplest to enjoy table grapes by hand, you can also add grapes into savory dishes by either roasting or incorporating them chopped into dishes, like into a coleslaw or chicken salad.

Here's a simple roasted grape recipe from Alexandra's Kitchen:

Roasted Grapes with Thmye, Fresh Ricotta & Grilled Bread
Adapted from Real Simple Magazine September 2011

grapes
olive oil
kosher salt
fresh thyme sprigs
good rustic bread, sliced into 1/2-inch thick pieces
olive oil

homemade ricotta

1. Preheat oven to 450ºF. Spread grapes onto a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt. Lay thyme leaves over top. Toss all together gently with your hands. Place pan in the oven for seven to nine minutes or until grapes just begin to burst. I prefer the shorter roasting time — it’s nice when some of the grapes remain intact.
2. Meanwhile, heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Brush the bread with olive oil. Grill until nice and toasty.
3. Assemble the open-faced sandwiches: Spread fresh ricotta over bread. Top with roasted grapes. Discard thyme sprigs. (While the thyme sprigs look pretty, it’s a little impractical to serve the sandwiches with the sprigs…they don’t taste so yummy.)

See you Fridays at the market (4pm-8pm)!