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.