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)!

Newsletter 06-14-12

Opening Day Snapshots
Thanks for coming out and supporting us on our opening day. That was just the beginning! With your support, we can continue to add more farmers and make this the biggest and best market around SGV. Check out some great pictures of the market taken by John Hwang, more of which can be seen on our Facebook page. Did you take any pictures? If so, please post them on  

And the Winner is....

Congratulations to Kaiping Hsu who is the winner of the $100 opening day prize. Also, the winner of our farmers' market basket raffle (a basket full of fresh farmers' market fruits & veggies) is Veronica Hernandez. Didn't win this time? No worries, every week we will have a farmers' market basket raffle. There are two ways to win: 1) sign up for the raffle each week at the information booth (red tent) at the market, or 2) participate in our Facebook Page promotion contests (such as our 'Guess that Veggie' game). 


A Message from 'Farmer Mark', the Market Manager

Welcome to the new Monterey Park Certified Farmers’ Market! Certified Farmers’ Market means these farms are all from California. They represent our local food system, which provides a fresher, tastier and more nutritious food choice than the industrial food system (grocery stores). Our farms do their best to compete on price but they will not always be successful because they grow a higher quality product on a smaller scale than the large corporate farms. However, their produce is:

Fresher - Locally-grown means usually harvested within 24 hours of being purchased by you. Fresher means it lasts longer.
Tastier - Produce picked and eaten at the height of freshness tastes better.
More Nutritious – Nutritional value declines, often dramatically, as time passes after harvest. Because locally-grown produce is freshest, it is more nutritionally complete. 

If it does costs a little more, at least know you are handing the money over to the person who produced it and not a corporate middle-man.

What you see today is only the beginning. All markets start small. With your support, we can build this market into one of the best of the SGV. Please come back often.

What else do you want to see at the market? Please let us know!

“Farmer Mark” Anderson, Market Manager

montereyparkFM@gmail.com

-------------------------------------------------

“苗盼”（非盈利的市場機構）歡迎你來蒙市保證農夫市場

保證農夫市場所有的農產品都是來自加州本地，提供比超市新鮮，好吃並且更營養食物。因為我們的農場是小以規模來種高品質的產品，並且儘量在價格上與超市同等， 但是他們的產品是大規模種植，品質不如小規模所種。我們的產品有以下的優點﹕

更新鮮 – 本地種的表示通常你買的產品是二十四小時內收成的。新鮮也表示可以保存久些。

更好吃 – 在最新鮮時所採的產品會好吃的多。

更營養 –產品營養在收成後會劇烈損失。 但本地種的因為新鮮，營養更加保存完全。

就算價格稍微高些，至少你清楚你付的錢是給種產品的人而不是中間商。

你今天所看到的只是一個開始。  所有的市場都是從小起步。  藉者你的支持，我們可以建立起聖蓋博谷其中最好的市場之一。請每周五回來。

 其他有什麼你希望在農夫市場看到的？請告訴我們！

“Farmer Mark” Anderson, Market Manager

montereyparkFM@gmail.com

-------------------------------------------------

Un mensaje de promesa de Sprouts (Organizador no lucrativo del mercado)

Bienvenidos al nuevo Mercado de Granjeros Certificados. Mercado de Granjeros Certificados significa que estas granjas todas son de California. Representan nuestro sistema local de comida el cual provee comida mas fresca, que sabe mejor y mas nutriciosaa que las del sistema industrial (tiendas de abarrotes). Nuestras granjas hacen lo mejor que pueden para competir con los precios  pero no siempre lo pueden porque cosechan producto de mas alta calidad en escala mas chica que las granjas grandes corporativas.Sin embargo su producto es:

Mas fresco -Cosechado localmente quiere decir que usted lo compra a las 24 horas. Mas fresco significa que dura mas.

Sabe mejor -Producto piscado y consumido a la altura de su frescura sabe mejor.

Mas Nutricioso -Los valores nutricionales declinan segun pasa el tiempo de cuando se cosecha. Porque el producto local es mas fresco, y mas completamente nutricional. 

Si cuesta un poquito mas, cuando menos usted sabe que le esta entregando el dinero a la persona que lo produjo y no al intermediario corporativo. Lo que usted ve hoy es solo el principio.  Todos los mercados empiezan pequenos.  Con su respaldo, podemos construir este mercado hasta ser uno de los mejores del valle de San Gabriel. Vuelva todos los Viernes.

Que mas le gustaria ver en el mercado?  Haganos saber.

“Farmer Mark” Anderson, Market Manager

montereyparkFM@gmail.com