Market Dinner Delicious Success

Posted on 2012/06/01 by mifarmersmarket

A Banquet to Behold: Mercer Island Farmers Market Celebrates Successful Fundraising Dinner as It Readies for Fifth Season

It was a fundraiser. A celebration of the coming season. A thank you to the volunteers and contributors who make the market possible. And after dessert, when the last dinner guests had paid for their auction items and said their goodbyes, Julie Sarkissian could only smile, sit back and marvel at the success of the evening event. Julie is the newly-elected Chair of the Mercer Island Farmers Market Board of Directors. “Tonight I can sleep. We all worked so hard to make this happen. You worry about selling tickets, getting donations for the auction, making sure the chef and restaurant have everything they need from us. And everything worked out wonderfully well. The dinner and auction were a great success.”

One hundred supporters and guests attended the Market’s third Annual Celebration Dinner and Silent Auction at Lilly’s Restaurant at Aljoya Sunday, May 20. Chef Nathan Zielske prepared a sumptuous feast, showcasing products donated from the Market vendors, Aljoya and the creative talents of his Lilly’s kitchen. Flower and herb-crusted salmon on green tea soba noodle salad; chicken breast baked with pistachio breadcrumb and Frangelico sauce, kale Caesar salad…yumm!

The silent auction before dinner drew spirited bidding, particularly for a number of showcase items. The celebrity item had to have been the week’s stay in an Oahu condo overlooking the ocean. Other showcase items, lovingly donated by local residents and merchants, included a homemade quilt, dinners at Roanoke Inn, John Howie Steaks and Dahlia Lounge, catering by Stopsky’s, tickets for the Mariners and Seattle Philharmonic, product potpourri from All The Best and Trader Joe’s, services from Uyeta Landscaping, to name a few.

“So much bidding enthusiasm”, pronounced Carol Branom, Market Board Treasurer. “So many appealing items were donated. We exceeded our fundraising goal! This is a great start for the season!”

Dinner guests included: State Representative Marcie Maxwell, a dedicate Market patron; King County Council Vice Chair Jane Hague, and Mercer Island Mayor Bruce Bassett, whose wife Nannette is a Farmers Market Board Member.

This was the first public event of the Mercer Island Farmers Market for Patty Spahr, the new Market Manager. “I am very excited to be working with these people”, she said, referring to the Board. “So much energy and enthusiasm. Now we turn our attention full time to Opening Day of the Market itself. We have been planning and preparing for seven months. Now our energy levels kick into high gear.”

Twenty-three vendors are returning from last year’s market and are being joined by 20 new vendors.

“We think our patrons will be very pleased with our product mix and with the quality of our vendors”, says Kari Fisher, Vice Chair of the Market Board. “We survey our patrons and track what works or doesn’t work. We attend ‘Marketing the Market’ seminars. We want this to be our best season yet.”

The fifth season of the Mercer Island Farmers Market begins Sunday, June 10. Market hours are 10am–3pm. The Market is located near Mercerdale Park on 77^th Avenue South and SE 32^nd Street. It will be there every Sunday through October 14, with the exceptions of July 15 and August 5. For more information, go to the Mercer Island Farmers Market web site: http://www.mifarmersmarket.org.

Opening Day is June 10, 2012

Posted on 2012/05/29 by mifarmersmarket

The Mercer Island Farmers Market opens Sunday, June 10, 10:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. Join us for the freshest fruits, vegetables, fish, cheese, flowers, pastries and pastas, among other Northwest bounties. Dance along with Melanie and Her Blue Swayed Dudes, and sample some tasty new lunch options. Opening day chef demonstration by Chef Brock Johnson from Dahlia Lounge.

The Mercer Island Farmers Market is a 1/2 mile south of I-90 on SE 32nd Street at Mercerdale Park (between 77th and 78th Avenue SE).

See you there!

October 9th Mercer Island Farmers Market Event News

Posted on 2011/10/07 by mifarmersmarket

The Mercer Island Farmers Market on October 2, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

This Sunday, October 9th, is the last regularly scheduled market day of the 2011 Mercer Island Farmers Market season. (The MIFM and many of its farmers will be back for a pre-Thanksgiving Harvest Market on Sunday, November 20th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Even though the MIFM’s regular season is coming to end, our volunteers have planned a full schedule of activities for this Sunday’s market.

Children’s Table

Mr. and Mrs. Pumpkin Heads made by our community's kids at the Children's Table the Mercer Island Farmers Market in October 2010. (Photo by Julie Sarkasian)

MIFM volunteer and Mercer Island pre-school teacher Judy Witmer is planning to decorate pumpkins with our youngest shoppers at the Children’s Table.

Last year’s pumpkin decorating was one of MIFM board member, treasurer, and volunteer Julie Sarkasian’s most memorable market moments.

We are sure that our children will have a great time making Mr. and Mrs. Pumpkin Heads with Judy at the Children’s Table. And that many more of us will join Julie in having a memorable market moment watching our children’s creativity as they decorate the pumpkins.

Sampling Table

Sign at the Sampling Table at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 3, 2011. (Photo by Alyssa Hatsukami)

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., MIFM board members and volunteers Susie Rosenstein and Tanya Bednarski are planning another Sampling Table. As of today, they are not sure of whether they will be sampling apples or pears, but it will be one of those two.

This will be another opportunity for our community to learn about the large number of different apples and pears produced by the growers at the MI Farmers Market. So, be sure to stop by the Sampling Table to talk with Susie and Tanya about different apples or pears and learn about their different tastes, textures, and uses.

Music

Music this Sunday will be by Miles and Karina, whose describe their music as “a confusin’ country fusion of quirkish delights: Accordion – Banjo – polka – Bossa – James Bond … a soundtrack for your life.” Their accordion-banjo take on the theme to the James Bond films is definitely something to hear. We can’t for their performance at the MIFM.

October 2nd Mercer Island Farmers Market Event Highlights

Posted on 2011/10/06 by mifarmersmarket

The Mercer Island Farmers Market on October 2, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

The Mercer Island Farmers Market had the perfect autumn weather for its October 2nd market: 60s and sunny. Our community turned out for our local farmers and for several fun and educational activities: a Power Hour with free coffee; a chef demonstration by chefs from Stopsky’s Delicatessen; the master gardeners; pressing apples at the children’s table; music; and tree distribution by the City.

Power Hour

Helen Martin (left) and Julie Sarkasian, MI Farmers Market board member and treasurer, during the Power Hour at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on October 2, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

We started off the MIFM with free coffee thanks to one of our Power Hours. These Power Hours are a reward—and a caffeine boost—for the early birds who show up for the first hour of the farmers market.

The October 2nd Power Hour was sponsored by Helen Martin, who many know through her extensive volunteering for various organizations including the Rotary and the Mercer Island Arts Council.

Thank you Helen for sponsoring the event and supporting the Mercer Island Farmers Market.

Chef Demonstration: Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Olive Tapenade by Stopsky’s Delicatessen

Stopsky’s Delicatessen returned to the Mercer Island Farmers Market to do their second chef demo of the 2011 market season. Back in June, executive chef Shane Robinson came to the market to prepare salmon. This time chefs Austin and Michael came to the market to prepare Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Olive Tapenade, which is Stopsky’s take on Israeli salad, a mixture of chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and parsley.

Austin, sous chef at Stopsky's Delicatessen, demonstrating how to use a mandoline to slice shallots during a chef demo at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on October 2, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Austin did a wonderful job not only explaining and showing how to make the dish, but also discussing basic kitchen techniques and terms. He taught our community about:

the importance of keeping your working area and cutting board clean and organized;
the pitting of olives using the flat of a chef’s knife;
the meaning and value of mis en place—a French culinary term to describe preparing and organizing all of the ingredients for a recipe before beginning to cook; and
maybe most importantly, safely using a mandoline, a slicing tool.

The finished Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Salad and Olive Tapenade by Austin, sous chef at Stopsky's Delicatessen, at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on October 2, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Thank you to everyone at Stopsky’s Delicatessen, especially Shane, Kelly, Austin, and Michael, for coming to the MI Farmers Market for the chef demonstration. We hope that you had a great time and that you will come back for a few chef demos next market season.

Children’s Table: Apple Press

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 did it again; she came up with another fun, educational activity for our community’s children. This past Sunday she brought an apple press to the MIFM in order to show how apple cider is made.

Our community’s kids had a great time turning the wheel and pressing the apples as well as tasting the fresh apple cider by Rockridge Orchards, whose booth is just across from the Children’s Table.

Thank you to Judy for doing what seems impossible: week after week coming up with something educational and exciting for our children to do. Thank you as well as Rockridge Orchards for helping make the activity so special.

Master Gardeners

The Master Gardeners answering questions at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on October 2, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

The Master Gardeners were back at the MI Farmers Market for another Sunday of answering our community’s questions about gardening and lawn care. This is a great time to head over to their booth to ask about the best practices for the fall and winter.

We really appreciate the volunteers at the Master Gardeners coming each Sunday to help teach our community.

Music

Jazz Connection playing at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on October 2, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

The musical entertainment for the MIFM’s farmers, volunteers, and community was by Jazz Connection.

What really impressed us was how versatile the group was, almost like the Swiss Army knife of sextets. They seemed like a dozen groups in one: sometimes a set was just a duo with a vocalist and a guitar; other sets they were a jazz trio; yet other sets a sextet… At a certain point we just stopped keeping track of the different combinations and just enjoyed the group’s music.

A big “thank you” to the members of Jazz Connection for coming down to the MI Farmers Market on Sunday.

City of Mercer Island Native Tree Distribution Program

City of Mercer Island employees distributing native trees to Mercer Islanders at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on October 2, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Thanks to a grant from the King Conversation District, the City of Mercer Island has been distributing native tree varieties to Mercer Island residents at the MI Farmers Market. These trees are available to any Mercer Island resident for $5.00 per tree. The types of trees that have been available are Vine maple, Western red cedar (two-gallon size), and Mountain hemlock.

This coming Sunday, October 9th will be the final day of this program. So this Sunday, be sure to head down to the MIFM to pick up some native trees for your yard.

October 2nd Mercer Island Farmers Market Event News

Posted on 2011/09/30 by mifarmersmarket

This afternoon, a few of us were thrilled to hear on University of Washington meteorologist Cliff Mass‘s weather segment on KPLU that the weather on Sunday is supposed to be the nicest for the next week: partly sunny and in the 60s. As the volunteers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market have put together a full set of fun and educational activities for our community, this is great news for them and their farmers. So come down to the MI Farmers Market this Sunday to enjoy the weather and the farmers market.

Power Hour

An "early bird" shopper picking up some free coffee during the Mercer Island Farmers Market's Power Hour on July 17, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

For the first hour of the MIFM from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., we will have another Power Hour, when volunteers will be serving free coffee to our farmers, volunteers, and community. We hope that this morning jolt of caffeine will help “power” everyone through the five hours that the market is open.

The Power Hour is sponsored by Mercer Islander Helen Martin. Many in our community know Helen from her extensive volunteer activities ranging from the Mercer Island Rotary to serving on the Mercer Island Arts Council. Thank you, Helen, for your support of the Mercer Island Farmers Market and for sponsoring the Power Hour.

Music

This Sunday, Jazz Connection will be performing at the Mercer Island Farmers Market. All of us—the farmers, the volunteers, and the community members—look forward to hearing this sextet perform jazz standards, blues, and original compositions.

Chef Demonstration

Chef Shane Robinson of Stopsky's Delicatessen explaining in more detail a cooking technique to a Mercer Islander after a chef demo at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on June 19, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

At noon, Shane Robinson, executive chef at Stopsky’s Delicatessen, and his team are planning to return to the MI Farmers Market for the second time this market season to do a chef demo.

They are planning to make their heirloom tomato salad with cucumbers and olive tapenade. Be sure to join us to learn how to make this dish.

The folks from Stopsky’s will also be bringing some of this fresh salad from their kitchen just up the street for our community to sample.

We also understand that they are now open for dinner Monday through Saturday.

Children’s Table

This Sunday, Judy Witmer is planning to bring an apple press for the Kid’s Table. This will be a great way for our community’s children to learn about how apple cider is made.

Rockridge Orchards' apple cider at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 3, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

After using the apple press at the Children’s Table, plan to walk over to the Rockridge Orchards’ booth where Shawn and Leslie will be sampling cider as well as able to answer your questions about their giant apple press for making their products.

September 25th Mercer Island Farmers Market Event News

Posted on 2011/09/24 by mifarmersmarket

The Mercer Island Farmers Market volunteers have organized music and a few educational events for this Sunday’s farmer market. In addition to these activities from the MIFM, we are so pleased that two other groups—the City of Mercer Island and IslandVision—have organized events this Sunday around the farmers market.

Sampling Table: Apples

Organic Gala apples from Tonnemaker Family Orchard at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

The MIFM’s Events Team volunteers are planning another sampling table for this Sunday. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., they will be sampling various apples from our farmers.

The MI Farmers Market has an embarrassment of apple riches with dozens of varieties now being brought to market by our farmers: Akane; Gala; Golden Supreme; Ginger Gala; Honey Crisp; Jonamac; McIntosh; Mollie’s Delicious; Prima; Sugar Crisp… This will be a great opportunity for our community to try many of these and learn about their different colors, tastes, textures, and uses.

Music: Garrett and Westcott

This Sunday’s music at the market will be by Seattle-based, accoustic duo Garrett and Westcott.

Children’s Table: Amazing Squashes

Organic Delcato, pumpkin, and acorn squashes at the Five Acre Farm booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Mercer Island preschool teacher, Judy Witmer has planned another Sunday of fun and educational activities at the kid’s table. She always finds great hands-on ways for our community’s children to learn about gardening, farming, and the environment.

This week’s theme is “Amazing Squashes.” So while the kids are learning about these fruits at the children’s table, be sure to check out the great squashes now appearing at our farmers’ booths.

Master Gardeners

Gordon Polson of the King County Master Gardeners answering a gardening question from a Mercer Islander at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on June 12, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

As on previous Market Sundays, the Master Gardeners will be available at the MI Farmers Market to answer your gardening and lawn-care questions.

IslandVision Fall Community Picnic

IslandVision, a Mercer Island organization dedicated to creating a more sustainable community, is planning to hold their Fall Community Picnic on Sunday. From noon to 3 p.m., they will be at the Train Playground in Mercerdale Park. IslandVision was instrumental in helping start and run the Mercer Island Farmers Market in its early years.

The group encourages everyone to come down to meet its board and members. They are interested in hearing the community’s ideas for new IslandVision activities and events.

City of Mercer Island: Native Tree Distribution

As part of the City of Mercer Island‘s efforts to encourage the planting of native trees, the City will be distributing trees at the Mercer Island Farmers Market this Sunday, September 25th, as well as on Sunday, October 2nd and Sunday, October 9th.

The trees are available to any Mercer Island resident at an expected cost of $5.00 per tree. The types of trees that will be available are Vine maple, Western red cedar (two-gallon size), and Mountain hemlock. This program is supported with funding assistance from the King Conversation District.

Trees play an important role not only in maintaining our Island’s natural beauty, but also in our environment by:

Reducing our carbon footprint by sequestering carbon in trees. Trees, especially large conifers like Western red cedar, remove the greenhouse gas CO2 from the atmosphere during photosynthesis;
Reducing stormwater runoff. Mature trees can hold up to 100 gallons of water during storms; and
Increasing wildlife habitat, especially when done in conjunction with the removal of invasive species such as ivy and blackberry.

September 18th Mercer Island Farmers Market Event Highlights: Market Totes, Music, Kids Table

Posted on 2011/09/22 by mifarmersmarket

Besides the great chef demo by Tracy Green and her students from the Newport High School Culinary Arts program at last Sunday’s Mercer Island Farmers Market, the day was filled with fun and educational events.

2011 Mercer Island Farmers Market Reusable Bags Are Here!

Susan Kleiner, nutritionist and Mercer Island Farmers Market supporter, with three of the four Mercer Island Farmers Market totes on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

At last Sunday’s MI Farmers Market, we began to give away the 2011 market season reusable bags. As in previous years, the bag has a new color, which is blue this year.

After picking up her 2011 Mercer Island Farmers Market tote at the information booth, Susan Kleiner posed for a photo with it along with market totes from 2009 (green) and 2010 (orange). Dr. Kleiner is a Mercer Islander, huge support of the MIFM, and a nutritionist, who conducted two tours of the MIFM for our community earlier this year.

While picking up this year’s market bag, she explained to the volunteers that the only market tote that she is missing is the one from our first season in 2008, which is tan.

Do you have all four season’s totes? If you, please let us know.

To get a 2011 market tote, come down to the farmers market on Sunday, pick up a coupon from one of the vendors or from the information booth, and shop the MIFM. The farmers will mark on the coupon the amount of your purchases. Once you have bought $30 of local, fresh produce, bring your filled out coupon to the information booth and exchange it for a reusable bag.

We gave out nearly 200 bags on Sunday and supplies are limited. So be sure to get to the MIFM this Sunday to get your 2011 market tote.

Children’s Table: Spiders

Judy Witmer and three children learning about spiders at the children's table at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Judy Witmer developed yet another fun and educational activity for the children’s table at this past Sunday’s MIFM.

The theme was “Amazing Spiders in Your Garden.” Judy had live spiders in sealed plastic tubes for the children to examine and reference books with plenty of photos and drawings for the children to read and browse so that they would have a better understanding of the role that spiders play in our gardens.

In addition, Judy brought string and other materials so that the kids could build their own “spider web.”

Community-Service/Non-Profit Booths: Mercer Island Boy Scouts and Mercer Island Sister City Association

The Mercer Island Boy Scouts' and Mercer Island Sister City Association's booths at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

The MIFM hosted two important Mercer Island organizations—Mercer Island Boy Scout Troop 624 and the Mercer Island Sister City Association—in our community-service/non-profit booths.

Both organizations used the opportunity to teach to the our community about their mission and activities.

Music: Yaamba Marimba Band

Children dancing to music by the Yaamba Marimba Band at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

As they did earlier this season, the Yaamba Marimba Band were a huge hit with our farmers, volunteers and shoppers.

Throughout the market day, their infectious music got people, particularly children, dancing, spinning, jumping, kicking and…well..just plain moving. At one point, the volunteers saw one little girl doing handstands to their music.

Children dancing to music by the Yaamba Marimba Band at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Another demonstration of their popularity was the produce donations by our farmers.

One of the ways that the MIFM compensates musicians for playing the market is through these donations. The market’s farmers always give generously to thank the musicians for entertaining them and the customers throughout the market day. But this past Sunday they really showed their appreciation in a way that was unprecedented with several shopping bags and two boxes of produce for the members of Yaamba to divide among themselves.

Teenagers dancing in a circle to music by the Yaamba Marimba Band at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Perhaps the strangest moment demonstrating just how appreciated the band’s performance was just before the close of the farmers market. At this time, over a dozen teenage girls formed a circle in front of the music booth and began dance. It was all so spontaneous and unexpected.

Everyone at the Mercer Island Farmers Market hopes that the members of Yaamba had as much fun playing at the market as we did listening and dancing to their music.

We also want to extend an invitation to Yaamba to come back next year.

September 18th Mercer Island Farmers Market Event News

Posted on 2011/09/16 by mifarmersmarket

The Mercer Island Farmers Market manager, Edee Phillips, with the help of many volunteers has put together another set of fun and educational activities for this Sunday’s farmers market.

Mercer Island Farmers Market Reusable Shopping Bags

Savannah of the Snohomish Bakery with a 2010 Mercer Island Farmers Market reusable shopping bag. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

“Le beaujolais nouveau est arrivé!” say the French on the third Thursday of November.

“Les mallomars sont arrivés!” (tongue firmly in cheek) say New Yorkers once the weather turns cool.

Well the ever-popular Mercer Island Farmers Market reusable shopping bags are back. Alors, tous ensemble, “Les sacs sont arrivés!”

In all seriousness, the question “When are the new season’s shopping bags arriving?” has easily been among the top five questions that the MIFM’s market manager and volunteers have fielded all season long. We are thrilled that our community likes the Mercer Island Farmers Market totes so much.

This market season, as in previous market seasons, there is a new color. As it is a surprise, we won’t reveal it now; you’ll just have to head down to the MI Farmers Market and discover it along with all of the great seasonal produce from our wonderful farmers.

The bags will start to be given out this Sunday at the MIFM. To get one, simply pick up a coupon from one of the vendors or from the Information Booth. As you shop for fresh, local produce, have the farmers mark your coupon with how much you spend. Once you have purchased $30 worth of delicious food, bring the coupon over to the Information Booth and exchange it for one of the 2011 season MIFM totes.

We will keep handing out the bags while supplies last.

Music

Hula-hoopers hula-hooping to music by the Yaamba Marimba Band at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 31, 2011. (Photo by Alyssa Hatsukami)

The Yaamba Marimba Band is returning to the MIFM for an encore performance.

They were last at the MI Farmers Market at the end of July, when they were joined by community members who hula-hooped to their infectiously fun music. We hope that the hula-hoopers will be back too; they always bring an extra level of excitement and energy to the MIFM.

Yaamba Marimba features Angela Carey, who is the music teacher at Lakeridge Elementary School here on Mercer Island. We love showcasing the talent of our community members.

Chef Demonstration

Also this Sunday, the MI Farmers Market is very excited to be hosting the culinary arts team from Newport High School.

Teacher Tracy Green and her students will be doing a chef demo using pears to make a pear tart. The demonstration will begin at 12:30 p.m. We hope that you will join Tracy and the students as they teach us all about pears and how to prepare a delicious dessert with them.

Community Service/Non-Profit Booths

This Sunday, there will be two community-service/non-profit booths at the MI Farmers Market—one for the Mercer Island Boy Scout Troop and the other for the Mercer Island Sister City Association (MISCA). Please stop by the booths to learn more about these important organizations in our community.

Sharon Kramis in front of the Kittitas Valley Greenhouse booth while leading a tour for members of the Mercer Island Sister City Association on July 17, 2011 of the Mercer Island Farmers Market. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Sharon Kramis in front of the Kittitas Valley Greenhouse booth while leading a chef tour of the Mercer Island Farmers Market for members of the Mercer Island Sister City Association on July 17, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

The MISCA was at the farmers market earlier this season, but not at a community-service/non-profit booth. Instead, the MISCA organized a special tour of the farmers market by chef, cookbook author, and food writer, Sharon Kramis. The MISCA were interested in shopping for food as the community members do in Thonon-les-bains, our sister city in France.

The MIFM was thrilled that other community organizations are interested in using the farmers market for such educational purposes. If you are interested in your organization doing an educational activity at the Mercer Island Farmers Market, please let us know as we would be very interested in helping you. Email us at “info (at) mifarmersmarket.org”.

September 11th Mercer Island Farmers Market Events Highlights: Music, Sampling Table, Children’s Table

Posted on 2011/09/14 by mifarmersmarket

In addition to the commemoration for the 10th anniversary of 9/11 that the Mercer Island Farmers Market held this past Sunday and the chef demo by Kurt Daimmeier of Bennett’s Pure Food Bistro, there were several other events and activities.

Music

Patrick Daugherty (left with electric guitar), Bert Bertram (center with trombone), and Joe Ross (right with acoustic guitar) playing at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Musician Joe Ross returned to the MIFM. Joe last played at the market over July 4th weekend. This Sunday, he was joined for a few sets by another popular Mercer Island musician, Patrick Daugherty, who has been a musical mainstay of the MI Farmers Market, playing consistently throughout the market season, as well as in previous seasons volunteering as music coordinator.

In the afternoon, Joe was joined for a set not only by Patrick, but also by Bert Bertram, who played the trombone. We aren’t sure, but this might be the first time that a trombone was played at the MI Farmers Market. Over the years, there has been an extensive array of instruments played at the MIFM: guitar; banjo; bass; clarinet; harmonica, accordion; saxophone; steel drum; marimba…We love how the list and diversity continues to grow.

Thank you, Joe, Patrick, and Bert, for the great music.

Sampling Table

Kari Fisher (left in red top) talking with a family about the different varieties, tastes, and textures of the peaches at the sampling table at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

In the morning, MI Farmers Market board members and volunteers, Tanya Bednarski and Kari Fisher, organized a sampling table featuring fresh peaches grown by our farmers.

There were Angelo’s peaches from Collins Family Orchard, Selah, WA, J.H. Hale peaches from Martin Family Orchard, Orondo, WA, organic donut peaches from Billy’s Organic Garden, Tonasket, WA, and Diamond Princess peaches from Tonnemaker Family Orchard, Royal City, WA.

We want to thank Tanya and Kari for taking the time on such a beautiful day to put together this educational activity as well as Billy’s Organic Garden, Collins Family Orchard, Martin Family Orchard, and Tonnemaker Family Orchard for supporting it.

Children’s Table

Judy Witmer talking with a parent and her children about snails and slugs at the children's table at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Volunteer Judy Witmer developed another educational, hands-on activity for kids at the children’s table.

This past Sunday’s activity was “snail hunts and slug traps.” While some might have thought that kids might be put off by such “slimy” and off-putting creatures, there was, in fact, a great deal of enthusiasm for them.

Each week, Judy is a wonder coming up with a different fun activity that teaches our community’s children about gardening and food. Thank you, Judy.

September 11th Mercer Island Farmers Market Event News

Posted on 2011/09/08 by mifarmersmarket

9/11 Commemoration

To mark the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2011, the Mercer Island Farmers Market will be conducting a moment of silence at noon. We will be asking all vendors and community members to remember those who perished that day as well as all those who have fought and even given their lives since then defending our country.

If they are not on call at noon, the Mercer Island Fire Department will be joining the community at the MI Farmers Market to help us commemorate the occasion and the first responders, in particular, who lost their lives on 9/11.

Furthermore, Officer Rob Jira of the Mercer Island Police Department and several members of the Mercer Island Emergency Preparedness team of community volunteers will be in the market’s community service booth. Please take this time to learn more about what you can do to help be prepared in the event of an emergency. Maybe even take this opportunity to sign up to become a volunteer yourself.

In addition to these solemn and serious activities, the Mercer Island Farmers Market will also have its usual roster of educational and entertaining activities.

Sampling Table

Susie Rosenstein (on left) and Mindy Landsman (in middle in brown top) preparing peaches and nectarines, which customers are sampling, at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on August 28, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

From 10:30 to 12:30, Tanya Bednarski and Kari Fisher, who are dedicated volunteers and Mercer Island Farmers Market board members, will be sampling fresh produce from our vendors. While the type of produce hasn’t yet been selected as it will depend on what is freshest on Sunday, previous sampling tables have proven to be very educational by helping our customers learn about the different varieties of fruits and vegetables available from our farmers.

Be sure to stop by the sampling table not only to find out what Tanya and Kari will be sampling (apples? pears?), but also to learn more about it and the kinds of varieties available at the MIFM.

Chef Demo

Kurt Dammeier

Kurt Dammeier of Bennett’s Pure Food Bistro will be back at the Mercer Island Farmers Market to do another chef demo. His demo last year was one of our most popular events with dedicated fans of his cooking and restaurant showing up en masse.

In honor of Kurt’s chef demo, Maximus Minimus, which is a member of the Sugar Mountain family along with Bennett’s, will be at the Mercer Island Farmers Market at day. Maximus Minimus, for the uninitiated, is an extremely popular food truck that is the shape of a giant pig, which we are sure will prove to be a big hit with shoppers of all ages. Maximus Minimus is famous for their pulled-pork sandwiches friends and slaw. They also have veggie sandwiches as well as mac and cheese featuring what else but Beechers cheese, another member of the Sugar Mountain family.

Music

This Sunday Joe Ross and the Ain’t No Heaven Seven jazz band will be playing at the MI Farmers Market.

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Children’s Table

Sampling Table

Music

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Power Hour

Chef Demonstration: Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Olive Tapenade by Stopsky’s Delicatessen

Children’s Table: Apple Press

Master Gardeners

Music

City of Mercer Island Native Tree Distribution Program

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Power Hour

Music

Chef Demonstration

Children’s Table

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Sampling Table: Apples

Music: Garrett and Westcott

Children’s Table: Amazing Squashes

IslandVision Fall Community Picnic

City of Mercer Island: Native Tree Distribution

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2011 Mercer Island Farmers Market Reusable Bags Are Here!

Children’s Table: Spiders

Community-Service/Non-Profit Booths: Mercer Island Boy Scouts and Mercer Island Sister City Association

Music: Yaamba Marimba Band

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Mercer Island Farmers Market Reusable Shopping Bags

Music

Chef Demonstration

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Music

Sampling Table

Children’s Table

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9/11 Commemoration

Sampling Table

Chef Demo

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Follow “Mercer Island Farmers Market”