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