Hot Air Balloons! Homemade Pies! Paella Dinner for 8! Getaway to Salish Lodge ! Just One Week and 2 Days Away May 19th!

It will be a much better party if you come to the MIFM Benefit “For the Love of Food”,  Just 1 week away, Sunday May 19, 6-9 at Aljoya Mercer Island.

Purchase tickets, $50 each,  online at  Tickets                                                                    Hot Air Balloon Series 09  or send a check with guest names  to MIFM, P.O. Box 71, Mercer Island, WA 98040, T

Hard sell:  Vendor fees only cover 2/3 of the MIFM costs.  We hold one annual benefit a year to help ends meet. We have NO government funds to support us!

Soft sell:  We will have great food, live music and a lot very fun people. There will be some wonderful items for raffle and silent auction, e.g. hot air balloon rides, homemade pies and desserts, Salish Lodge and other wonderful getaway destinations, fine wines, beer lovers package and lots of ideas for cooking and gardening.

Come See Us At Leap for Green – Saturday April 13, 10 -2, Mercer Island Comunity Center

Come by and see us to find out about our 2013 season, starting June 9th, and some of our wonderful new and returning vendors.  Win an edible prize!  You can also buy your tickets to our upcoming fundraiser, For the Love Food Benefit , or click here now to buy TICKETS .

Leap for Green April 13, 2013

Leap for Green is an Earth Day Celebration for Kids of All Ages, sponsored by the City of Mercer Island and Island Vision. Some of what’s happening:

  • Touch A Garbage Truck- clean truck that kids can climb on.
  • Food: BUNS, STOPSKY’S, EMERALD CITY SMOOTHIES, Tully’s Coffee
  • Yaamba Marimba music
  • Recess Monkeys at 11:00pm http://www.recessmonkeytown.com/
  • Bunnies & chickens
  • Children’s table planting project with our own Judy W.
  • Displays from city, non-profit and business organizations highlighting sustainability and more interactive children’s activities.
  • Luther Burbank walks led by Fran Call of Sole mates at 11am and 1pm
  • 3 Electric Vehicles and a  Solar Powered Trailer

Mercer Island Farmers Market “For the Love of Food” Benefit, May 19, 2013

Show your love for the Mercer Island Farmers Market!collage2-02-13

Join us for the “For the Love of Food” Benefit on Sunday May 19th, 2013, 6-9  at Aljoya Mercer Island.  Enjoy little plates, desserts, wine and beer while mingling with friends and enjoying live music. Where possible, ingredients will be gathered from MIFM farmers and vendors.  Support MIFM by bidding at the silent auction.

Help us continue to offer the highest quality farmers market with educational and community building events. Tickets are $50.00 each; click on the green Tickets, below, to purchase your tickets. Thanks!

TICKETS

If you can’t join us, consider a donation, thanks!

Almost Very Last Market of 2012 Sunday October 14! Very Last is Sunday November 18th – Harvest Market

October 14 is Vendor & Volunteer Appreciation Day- We extend our deepest appreciation and thanks to the great businesses and individuals who’ve supported the Pumpkin heads - MIFM in October 2010. (Photo by Julie Sarkissian)market this season.  Without you, there is no market!

  • Breakfast for Vendors, sponsored by the MIFM Board of Directors
  • Volunteers will be treated to shopping discounts by most of our vendors.  Volunteers, report to the Information Booth to get started.

At the Children’s Table: Decorating Pumpkin Heads a favorite of the kids (and some adults).

  • Special thanks to JUDY WITMER who has voluntarily organized and run the Children’s Table for 5 Years!

On the Music Stage: Strange Nails Alternative / Soul / Funk

The Harvest Market returns on Sunday November 18th.  You’ll find many things you need for Thanksgiving dinner including cranberries. NEW  this year the vendor mix will include local artists & artisans who create the very highest quality arts and crafts.

Mercer Island Farmers Market Countdown! Sunday October 7 & Sunday October14 Last of Regular Season!

This Sunday Alvarez Family Farm will be roasting peppers at the market.  Try roasted peppers on pizza, on pasta, wrapped in tortillas, sauteed with eggplant, zucchini and tomatoes.

On the Music Stage – Vehicle Collector – Progressive Music

At the Children’s Table – Vegetable Prints

All Over The Market The Fall Bounty Is In -  Apples, Pears, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Peppers Hot & Mild, Squash, Onions, Cabbage – Don’t Miss Out!

 

 

What’s up at the MIFM September 23rd? Chef Demo, Podorythmie, Spiders & Pizza!

  • 11:30 Chef Demo with Chef Tracy Green and the Newport High School              Culinary Arts Program Students:   Meet the next generation of chefs and watch as they prepare a creative,  seasonal dish for you to enjoy.
  • On the MusicStage: Podorythmie – French Canadian music with step dance: Watch joyous dancing and listen to infectious rhythms and French song.
  • At the Children’s Table: Amazing Spiders in Your Yard
  • Ciao Pizza Lovers!  Homemade Pizza After Work?

    The idea of making a pizza by scratch is a bit tiresome especially after a long day at the office.  Grand Central Bakery has you covered with ‘U Bake Pizza Dough’.  For the cost of a double tall nonfat latte you can purchase  pizza dough ready to thaw, top and bake.

    Grand Central offers regular and whole wheat (imbued with flax seeds!) shells shaped to a rectangle “ala Serious Pie”.   Top with olive oil, mozzarella, basil and maybe some of the fantastic peppers and tomatoes in season right now and any other favorite toppings.  To have more fun, grill the pizza outdoors using a metal vegetable pan with holes (or foil).  The high heat produces a wonderful crisp crust. For tips & recipes check out U-Bake Pizza .

     

New food truck: Fusion On The Run

Because Big Food will not be at the Mercer Island Farmers Market today, we found a guest replacement food truck. Please welcome Fusion on the Run (Menu), Island inspired food.  

Check out their tropical combinations, including marinated boneless short ribs, Kalua pork, and seasonal veggies with surfer sauce. The taco I keep thinking about is the Coco Adobo Chicken Taco, with chicken braised in coconut milk and vinegar, with hints of ginger and pepper.   Try them all and tell us your favorite!

 

Market Bags, Cider Press and Bluegrass!

This week at the market we have another shopping bag giveaway.  Please click on Tote Bag Coupon to print out the attached coupon and bring it with you.  As you shop the market, ask each vendor you purchase from to validate your coupon, then stop by the information table for your free red market bag.

Children’s Table:  It is time to bring out the apple cider press. Judy Witmer will, once again, teach kids how to operate this important piece of our Washington State heritage.

Judy Witmer, Mercer Island pre-school teacher and MIFM volunteer, helping a young boy press apples at the children's table at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on October 2, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)
Judy Witmer, Mercer Island pre-school teacher and MIFM volunteer, helping a young boy press apples at the children’s table at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on October 2, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)
Music: Down the Road – traditional bluegrass http://www.downtheroadband.com/

As our summer winds down and the evenings cool off, Mercer Island Farmers Market wishes our Jewish friends L’Shana Tova’, a very happy new year. We have what you need for your holiday recipes: apples and honey, smoked salmon, chicken for roasting, beautiful beets and greens, and even gluten free challah bread. The L.A. Times has a dozen beautiful recipes, including this one for Cilantro-Tomato soup with Syrian meatballs:

Recipe: Kibbeh bi’kizabrath (cilantro-tomato soup with Syrian meatballs) – latimes.com

Finally, if you have purchased a $5 coupon book (thank you!) please be sure to use your coupons.  Our neighborhood sponsors would love to see you!

Sunday September 9th at the Mercer Island Farmers Market, Caspar Baby Pants & Yammba Conga Drums

At 11:00 AM bring the small kids to sing and dance with Caspar Baby Pants. Caspar Babypants has another identify, Chris Ballew of The Presidents of the United States of America.  He is a charming and imaginative performer who engages children with simple, almost melodies and clever lyrics.  His influences range from Beethoven to The Beatles, to  traditional children’s tunes. THANKS TO THE MERCER ISLAND COMMUNITY FUND FOR SUPPORTING HIS APPEARANCE!  Listen here for a sample:

On the Music Stage lively rhythms continue with Yaamba Marimba Group playing Zimbabwean dance music Read more about Yaamba !

Visit the Children’s Booth to make Flower Prints & Collages

Enjoy great produce from Alvarez Organic Farms, Collins Family Orchard, Hedlin Family Farm, Kittitas Valley Greenhouse, Martins Family Orchard and Tonnemaker Family Orchard. Meet your friends for lunch and celebrate the summer.

New for Sunday Sept 2nd – Caravan Crepes & Salmon Cuts!

New food truck, Caravan Crepes comes to the Mercer Island Farmers Market Sunday September 2nd.   These are anything but your run-of-the-mill French crepes  Using local ingredients to create concoctions that pay homage to cuisine across the globe, it is hard to choose between the 10 crepes available on the menu. All savory crepes come with a side of mixed greens dressed in light vinaigrette

For dinner, how about  new cuts from Jeb’s Wild Salmon?  He’ll introduce FANTASTIC COHO AND PINK SALMON FILLETS. These are fresh from the 2012 season, savory and delicious, and ready for the grill or stovetop.  Also offered will be 4 oz portions of pink and keta salmon perfect for SALMON BURGERS or teriyaki — both a bargain at $3 ea. ($2.50 for keta).  ALSO a limited supply of KING SALMON fillets are on for tomorrow. Cook’s note:  Salmon of any size will be ready to cook in no time if you soak for just a while in cold water.