Tag Archives: Jones Creek Farm

September 25th Mercer Island Farmers Market Vendor Highlights

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Winter squash from Hand-Farmed Organics at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Winter squash from Hand-Farmed Organics at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Well, the calendar and the produce appearing at the farmers markets are saying that it is fall. But the weather is saying that it is summer; high of 80°F and sunny. Today might be unseasonably warm, but it is supposed to change dramatically on Saturday night with a high of only 65°F on Sunday. Fall seems to be finally coming.

We have updates from two of the MIFM’s vendors. In addition, as the Events Team volunteers are planning to sample apples at Sunday’s market, we thought that some photos of many of the varieties that have appeared in recent weeks would be fun.

Farmers Market Preserves, Seattle, WA

Rome Doherty, owner of Farmers Market Preserves, speaking with customers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on August 21, 2011.

Rome Doherty, owner of Farmers Market Preserves, speaking with customers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on August 21, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Rome Doherty, owner of Farmers Market Preserves, started his weekly message to customers with, as he terms it, “some high-falutin poetry”:

Order the last fruits to become ripe
Give them two more sunny days
Push them to fulfillment
And force the last sweetness into the heavy wine.

—Rainier Maria Rilke

Rome with be coming to the MIFM this Sunday with a new batch of Strawberry with Basil and Balsamic Jam and some terrific Nectarine Jam with fruit from Collins Orchards.

The magic word this week is “high-falutin” in honor of Rilke’s poem. So for a dollar off of your first jar of jam this week be sure to work the word-of-the-week into your conversation with Rome.

Got Soup?, Seattle, WA

Got Soup? owner Jerry Baxter handing a sample to a customer at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 24, 2011.

Got Soup? owner Jerry Baxter handing a sample to a customer at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 24, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Jerry Baxter, owner of Got Soup?, writes, “So last week I gave a dissertation on Kohlrabi, this week I am going to keep it simple. It is soup season. Here are some soups that will make your life easier. Most will go well with a nice salad or some good bread. Hope you like. Next week I will have a couple of new soups for you.”

This week’s soups are:

  • Gumbo: chicken stock (chicken, onion, celery ,carrot, tomato, parsley), onion, celery, carrot, red and green peppers, tomato, chicken, sausage, garlic, flour, butter, file powder, parsley, thyme, basil, oregano, paprika, cayenne
  • Orange and Cumin Sweet Potato (vegan): vegetable stock (water, onion, carrot, celery, tomato, parsley), sweet potato, onion, celery, oranges, cumin, cilantro, jalapeño
  • Northwest Chowder: Fish/clam stock (fish, clams, onion, celery, carrot, parsley), onion, potatoes, celery, leeks, red pepper, salmon, clams, milk, butter, flour, parsley, chervil, chive, thyme, peppercorns
  • Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho (cold, vegan, and raw): tomato, cucumber, onion, fennel, yellow pepper, zucchini, tarragon, parsley, sherry wine vinegar, cayenne, paprika, olive oil
  • Wild Mushroom (vegan): mushroom/vegetable stock (mushroom, onion, celery, carrot, tomato, parsley), portabello, button, crimini, leeks, fennel, onions, tomato, rice flour, tamari, Madeira wine, thyme, parsley, rosemary

As he always does, Jerry sourced many of his ingredients from the MIFM’s farmers, including:

Photo Essay on Apples at the Mercer Island Farmers Market

For the past month, the farmers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market have been bringing dozens of varieties of tree fruit. As the photo essay that we did on the variety of cucumbers at the MIFM generated a number of responses, we thought that another photo essay, this one showing the abundance of apples, would help to demonstrate the bounty of the region and the enormous range of produce available at at the MIFM.

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

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

Early Cortland apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Early Cortland apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Early Gold apples from Tonnemaker Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 4, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Early Gold apples from Tonnemaker Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 4, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Gala apples from Martin Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Gala apples from Martin Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Ginger Gold apples from Collins Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 4, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Ginger Gold apples from Collins Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 4, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Golden Supreme apples from Tonnemaker Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Golden Supreme apples from Tonnemaker Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Golden Sweet apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 4, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Golden Sweet apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 4, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Gravenstein apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Gravenstein apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Honey Crisp apples from Collins Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Honey Crisp apples from Collins Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Jonamac apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Jonamac apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

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

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

Mollie's Delicious apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Mollie's Delicious apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

NYB 298 (sic) apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

NYB 298 (sic) apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Prima apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Prima apples from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

St. Edmund's Pippin apple from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

St. Edmund's Pippin apple from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Sugar Crisp apples from Collins Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Sugar Crisp apples from Collins Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 11, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

2011 MI Farmers Market Reusable Shopping Bags Have Arrived

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The Mercer Island Farmers Market reusable shopping bags are back with a new, surprise color for the 2011 market season. The new bags will be available for the first time this Sunday, September 18th.

Teri Wheeler, market master at Pike Place Market and president of the Washington State Farmers Market Association, with a 2010 Mercer Island Farmers Market reusable shopping bag. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Teri Wheeler, market master at Pike Place Market and president of the Washington State Farmers Market Association, with a 2010 Mercer Island Farmers Market reusable shopping bag. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

To get one of the bags, please pick up a coupon from either the Information Booth or one of our vendors. Each time you buy some fresh, local produce or artisanal food products from our vendors, they will mark the amount of purchases on the coupon. Once you have spent $30, head over to the Information Booth to exchange your completed coupon for a bag.

Karen Kinney, interim executive director of the Washington State Farmers Market Association, with a 2010 Mercer Island Farmers Market reusable shopping bag. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Karen Kinney, interim executive director of the Washington State Farmers Market Association, with a 2010 Mercer Island Farmers Market reusable shopping bag. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Previous years’ bags have proven popular with not only our own community, but with the wider Washington State farmers market community. We’ve included several photos of folks that we’ve seen this year with the MIFM’s orange bags from the 2010 market season.

Sheryl Wiser of the Cascade Harvest Coalition with a 2010 Mercer Island Farmers Market reusable shopping bag. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Sheryl Wiser of the Cascade Harvest Coalition with a 2010 Mercer Island Farmers Market reusable shopping bag. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Mary Embleton of the Cascade Harvest Coalition with a 2010 Mercer Island Farmers Market reusable shopping bag. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Mary Embleton of the Cascade Harvest Coalition with a 2010 Mercer Island Farmers Market reusable shopping bag. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

There are a limited number of the 2011 MIFM bags. So, if you are interested in getting one, be sure to get to our farmers market on Sunday, pick up a coupon, meet our farmers, and spend $30 on their wonderful fresh, local produce.

Kira Doley, market manager at the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance, with a 2010 Mercer Island Farmers Market reusable shopping bag. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Kira Doley, market manager at the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance, with a 2010 Mercer Island Farmers Market reusable shopping bag. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Les Price, owner of Jones Creek Farm, Sedro-Woolley, WA with a 2010 Mercer Island Farmers Market reusable shopping bag. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Les Price, owner of Jones Creek Farm, Sedro-Woolley, WA with a 2010 Mercer Island Farmers Market reusable shopping bag. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

August 21st Mercer Island Farmers Market Highlights

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Sunday was a great day at the Mercer Island Farmers Market: beautiful weather; lively music; plenty of activities and community events; and, most importantly, tables overflowing with our state’s fresh produce.

Music

Young customers dancing to live music at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on August 21, 2011.

Young customers dancing to live music by Patrick Daughtery at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on August 21, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Patrick Daughtery has been a popular musician at the Mercer Island Farmers Market since its first season. His music always helps to establish a festive mood for our customers and vendors always commenting on how much they enjoy listening to him throughout the market day.

Patrick’s music always inspires some of customers to be in more than a good mood; often they spontaneously begin to dance. At Sunday’s market, one of our volunteers captured just such a moment in the photo above.

We want to thank Patrick for playing—and inspiring—at the MI Farmers Market.

Community Sing-Along

Singers at the first community sing-along at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on August 21, 2011.

Singers at the first community sing-along at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on August 21, 2011. (Photo by Cecilia Finnegan)

In addition to his regular music duties during the market day, Patrick also helped to organize the MIFM’s first-ever community sing-along. With the strong leadership of our colleagues at Transition Initiative Mercer Island (TIMI), community members gathered at 1 p.m. on Sunday to join their friends and neighbors in singing.

Patrick says, “…the community sing-along was a definite success. In addition to the local choir and TIMI folks up front with me, I could see lots of shoppers walking through the market singing along.”

Farm Day

Young shoppers examining chickens, up close and from a safe distance, at the Mercer Island Farmers Market's annual Farm Day on August 21, 2011.

Young shoppers examining chickens up close as well as admiring from a safe distance at the Mercer Island Farmers Market's annual Farm Day on August 21, 2011.

This past Sunday, in addition to the presence of our local farmers, the MI Farmers Market also had farm animals. There were goats, rabbits, bees, and chickens for our customers to pet, examine up close, or admire from a safe distance.

A big “thank you” to our friends and neighbors for bringing out their animals for the Mercer Island Farmers Market’s annual Farm Day.

Jones Creek Farm, Sedro-Woolley, WA

Les Price and a customer discussing the different varieties of fresh garlic from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on August 21, 2011.

Les Price and a customer discussing the different varieties of fresh garlic from Jones Creek Farm at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on August 21, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Farmer Les Price and his famous garlic finally arrived at the Mercer Island Farmers Market. Les is an orchardist and so most of his produce doesn’t ripen until midway into the MIFM’s market season.

Les does grow other crops including garlic. At this Sunday’s MIFM, Les brought two varieties—Korean Rocambole and Asian Tempest. These rare varieties attract customers from around the region not just Islanders. Some of the MI Farmers Market volunteers have reported being actually stopped by customers who just want to let them know that they have come from several towns away for Les’ garlic.

Jones Creek Farm’s tree fruit isn’t quite ripe yet, so Les brought several varieties of heirloom tomatoes. He told us to expect his apples and plums either next week or the week after.

Les and Jones Creek Farm are not the last of the farmers and farms to arrive this year at the Mercer Island Farmers Market. We are still looking forward to the arrival in a few weeks of Booth Canyon Orchards, Carlton, WA, and their tree fruit.

Tonnemaker Family Orchard, Royal City, WA

Pepper display at the Tonnemaker Family Orchard Booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on August 21, 2011.

Pepper display at the Tonnemaker Family Orchard Booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on August 21, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

One of the many interesting displays of vegetables that we saw on Sunday was one of over a dozen varieties of peppers at the Tonnemaker Family Orchard booth.

The peppers were arranged left to right based on how spicy they are. The mildest were on the left, while the hottest were on the right. In this photo, the peppers—going from left to right—are Spanish Spice, Kapellos, Bell, Whitney, Greek Pepperoncini, Mariachi, Astry, Fushimi, Anaheim, Sandia, Banana, Jalapeño, Padron, and Cayenne.

August 21st Mercer Island Farmers Market Vendor News

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We have lots of news from our vendors for this Sunday’s Mercer Island Farmers Market. The biggest news is that this Sunday one of the long-time vendors at the Mercer Island Farmers Market—Hooting Owl Granola—will have their last day at the MIFM for the rest of the season. While we are very sorry to see them go and look forward to their return next season, we are thrilled to welcome back long-time MI Farmers Market vendor Jones Creek Farm, who will be at the market for the first time this season.

Hooting Owl Granola, Issaquah, WA

Customers at the Hooting Owl Granola booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 31, 2011.

Customers at the Hooting Owl Granola booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 31, 2011. (Photo by Alyssa Hatsukami)

This Sunday will be Hooting Owl Granola’s last day at the Mercer Island Farmers Market for this season.

After building their business to six Puget Sound farmers markets and retail sales at Metropolitan Markets, owners Beth and John will be taking a much-needed rest for the next several months.

Everyone at the Mercer Island Farmers Market wishes them the best and is looking forward to their return next season after they are refreshed and ready for new challenges.

Fans of Hooting Owl Granola should plan to stop by the booth to stock up on their favorite flavors.

Farmers Market Preserves, Seattle, WA

A customer at the Farmers Market Preserves booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 31, 2011.

A customer at the Farmers Market Preserves booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 31, 2011. (Photo by Alyssa Hatsukami)

Farmers Market Preserves owner Rome Doherty continues his experiments with making spicy jam. This Sunday he will be bringing his latest creation—Blackberry with Thai Bird Chilies Jam. Rome like Jerry Baxter from Got Soup? always looks to source his ingredients from the MIFM vendors. For this jam, the blackberries are from Skagit Sun and the chili peppers are from Hedlin Family Farm.

The “magic” word this week to receive a dollar off of your first jar of jam is “theobromine,” which means that Rome must have spent a bit too much time in the kitchen making his popular Raspberry and Theo Chocolate Jam. So be sure to work “theobromine” somehow into your conversation with Rome this Sunday.

Got Soup?, Seattle, WA

Got Soup? owner Jerry Baxter handing a sample to a customer at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 24, 2011.

Got Soup? owner Jerry Baxter handing a sample to a customer at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 24, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Jerry Baxter, owner of Got Soup?, writes:

Looks like a beautiful week coming, cool mornings and evenings with plenty of sun. Get out and enjoy the sunshine. I have a nice mix of soups this week, some are hot some are cold and some will work both ways. The asparagus can be eaten hot or cold. Etouffée can be easily changed to an entrée by adding a side of brown rice. The cauliflower can also be used as a sauce for a nice Thai dish. Hope you like.

This week’s soups are:

  • Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho (cold, raw, and vegan): tomato, cucumber, onion, fennel, yellow pepper, zucchini, tarragon, parsley, sherry wine vinegar, cayenne, paprika, olive oil
  • Shrimp Etouffée: onion, shrimp, shrimp and fish stock (water, shrimp, fish, onion, celery, carrot, parsley), green pepper, tomato, celery, mushroom, garlic, milk butter, flour, cayenne, parsley, oregano, thyme
  • Asparagus with Meyer Lemon and Dill (vegan): vegetable stock (onion, carrot, celery, tomato, parsley), asparagus, onions, shallots, olive oil, lemon, dill, pepper
  • Curried Cauliflower with Zucchini (vegan): vegetable stock (water, onion, carrot, celery, tomato, parsley), cauliflower, coconut milk (water & coconut extract), zucchini, onion, garlic, ginger, apple, garam masala, curry, cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, cayenne, mint, cilantro
  • Cool Cucumber and Melon (vegan): honeydew melon, cucumber, coconut milk, yogurt, mint, lime, salt, white pepper. Garnish with chili oil

As always, Jerry has sourced much of his produce from the farmers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market. This week’s ingredients have from such MIFM farms as Full Circle Farm, Carnation, WA (onion, leek, fennel), Hedlin Family Farm, La Connor, WA  (cauliflower), Tonnemaker Family Orchard, Royal City, WA (dried chilies, peppers, zucchini), Kittitas Valley Greenhouse, Ellensburg, WA (tomatoes), and the River Farm Organic Produce, Ellensburg, WA (zucchini and melons), and Five Acre Farm, Coupeville, WA (zucchini).

Island Apiaries, Whidbey Island, WA

Kids searching for the queen bee in the bee hive at the Island Apiaries booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 31, 2011.

Kids searching for the queen bee in the bee hive at the Island Apiaries booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 31, 2011. (Photo by July 31, 2011)

David Neal and his bees will be back on Sunday for another MI Farmers Market. This week though the bees will not be located at his booth with their honey, but at “farm” next to the market that we are organizing for our youngest shoppers this weekend. The bees will be joining rabbits, goats, and hens that some of our neighbors keep here on Mercer Island.

For those interested in winning a free eight-ounce jar of honey, this week’s “secret” question is: “What means ‘rain’ when added to a clouds name?” Please remember that the question must be answered in person at the market and only the first correct answer wins the free jar of honey.

Jones Creek Farm, Sedro-Woolley, WA

Les Price holding a Mercer island Farmers Market cloth shopping bag at another area farmers market.

Les Price holding a Mercer island Farmers Market cloth shopping bag at another area farmers market. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Les Price, owner of Jones Creek Farm, will be coming to the Mercer Island Farmers Market for the first time this season. While he has been away for a year, the MI Farmers Market has always been close to Les’s heart; we were able to capture a quick photo of him earlier this season with one of our farmers market’s cloth shopping bags at another farmers market. Les, you have been close to our hearts too and we look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Les will be bringing his world-famous garlic and for the first time tomatoes. Those fans of his tree fruit will have to be patient for another week or two.

Parfait Artisan Organic Ice Cream, Seattle, WA

Customers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market getting ice cream at Parfait's ice cream truck.

Customers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market getting ice cream at Parfait's ice cream truck. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Due to a last minute change in schedule, Parfait Artisan Ice Cream will not be at the MI Farmers Market on Sunday.

No need to fear ice cream fans, Parfait will return next Sunday and Molly Moon Ice Cream will be at the market this Sunday.

Patty Pan Grill, Seattle, WA

Patty pan squash at the Tonnemaker Family Orchard booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 31, 2011.

Patty pan squash at the Tonnemaker Family Orchard booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 31, 2011. (Photo by Alyssa Hatsukami)

Several customers have commented over the years to us about Patty Pan Grill’s name. For those unfamiliar with the patty pan squash, we have a photo of a basket full of them at the Tonnemaker Family Orchard’s booth earlier this season.

This Sunday, Patty Pan Grill is bringing a new product for our market and for them: beef tamales. This is a huge change for Patty Pan Grill; it is the first time that they are offering meat in their fifteen-year history. It is a big enough deal that the Seattle Times wrote an article about this momentous development.

Be sure to read the article about Patty Pan owner Dev Gartenstein’s change in thinking as well as to stop by their booth and try out their new beef tamales.

Highlights from the July 17th Mercer Island Farmers Market

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On Sunday, the Mercer Island Farmers Market not only had tables overflowing with beautiful, local produce but also had an abundance of wonderful activities and events.

Power Hour

"Early Bird" shopper picking up some free coffee during the Mercer Island Farmers Market's Power Hour.

An "Early Bird" shopper picking up some free coffee and pastries during the Mercer Island Farmers Market's Power Hour. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., we started off with a “bang” when we had free coffee and pastries at the Information Booth for the MI Farmers Market’s “early bird” shoppers. The “Power Hour” is a small reward for those dedicated customers who come during the market’s first hour. This market season the Mercer Island Farmers Market extended its hours by opening an hour earlier than previous years. We hope that our customers are enjoying the extra time to shop. Some of you have even suggested to us that we open even earlier at 9 a.m. Please let us know what you think of the market’s extended hours by posting a comment below. We can also be reached at info (at) mifarmersmarket.org.

This month’s power hour was sponsored by MIFM board member and long-time volunteer Tanya Bednarski and her family. We wish to extend our thanks to the Bednarski-Johnson family for the many ways that they support our organization.

Mercer Island Sister City Association Chef Tour

The outdoor market in Thonon-les-bains, France in May, 2009.

The outdoor market in Thonon-les-bains, France in May, 2009. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

At 10:30 a.m., chef, food writer, and cookbook-author Sharon Kramis led a group of fifteen curious and hungry Islanders on a tour of the MI Farmers Market. This chef tour was organized by the Mercer Island Sister City Association (MISCA) to reflect the shopping habits and cooking traditions of our community’s French sister city, Thonon-les-bains, which has the largest outdoor market in its region (Haute Savoie) with well over one hundred merchants.

Chef Sharon Kramis buying some rainbow chard and greens at Five Acre Farm's booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market.

Chef Sharon Kramis buying some rainbow chard and greens at Five Acre Farm's booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

With a meal in mind that they would prepare together just after the tour, Ms. Kramis and the group stopped by many of the booths, talked with the farmers, and purchased carefully selected fresh fruits and vegetables. We are so pleased that the MISCA chose to tour the MIFM as one of their activities.

Later this week, we plan to post on this blog some more photos of the chef tour as well as photos of the cooking demonstration and meal at Island House. So please plan to come back to this blog to read more about this event.

If your group would like to hold a tour of the Mercer Island Farmers Market, please contact us at info (at) mifarmersmarket.org or 206-235-1185.

Music

All market day, the Mercer Island Farmers Market vendors, volunteers, and customers were entertained by musician Patrick Daughtery. To Islanders, this was no surprise as Patrick is a wonderful performer, who is well-known not only from previous performances at the market, but also from his many years of performing on the Island and in the region.

Patrick Daughtery performing a song with John Morris at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 17, 2011.

Patrick Daughtery performing a song with John Morris at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 17, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

However, Patrick did have a few surprises for us: guest performers. He was joined for a few songs by several other performers during the day including John Morris of Swamp Soul, which performed later Sunday evening at Mercerdale Park as part of Mercer Island’s Mostly Music in the Park summer series. Among the other unexpected guest performers was one of the MI Farmers Market’s vendors, Lorraine Ford of Two If By Seafoods, who performed a lovely duet with Patrick late in the market day.

The Flash Family Inspiration Award

Fran Call accepting the Flash Family Inspiration Award from Mayor Jim Pearman at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 17, 2011.

Fran Call accepting the Flash Family Inspiration Award from Mayor Jim Pearman at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 17, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

At noon, several dozen Mercer Islanders gathered to celebrate resident Fran Call receiving the 2011 Flash Family Inspiration Award. Mayor Jim Pearman presented the award to Ms. Call to honor her thirteen years of volunteer work at the Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Department, where she has created a program leading hikes in Seattle and its suburbs. During this period, over 200 Islanders have participated in these hikes.

The event was full of laughter and humor. Ms. Call is a former Mercer Island Middle School teacher, and, during the presentation, Mayor Pearman, a graduate of the Mercer Island public schools, and Ms. Call joked that he could have been one of her students. But there were also serious moments during the event, particularly when Mayor Pearman discussed his recent heart attack and the value of Ms. Call’s long-time efforts promoting health and exercise.

The Mercer Island Farmers Market congratulates Ms. Call on her much-deserved award.

Community-Service/Non-Profit Booths

The Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL) at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 17, 2011.

The Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL) booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 17, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Youth Theater Northwest booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 17, 2011.

Youth Theater Northwest booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 17, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

This week the Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL) and Youth Theater Northwest (YTN) had booths at the MIFM as part of our community-service/non-profit outreach program.

Both MIVAL and YTN have been pillars of the Mercer Island arts community for many years.

MIVAL has also been a wonderful partner for the Mercer Island Farmers Market by jurying our first-ever poster contest earlier this year. We look forward to working with them on future poster contests as well as other projects.

Youth Theater Northwest and the MI Farmers Market share similar missions in that they both seek to educate our community’s young people: YTN on the arts; and the MIFM on health and local agriculture. So we really appreciated an opportunity to host another Mercer Island organization that strives to improve the lives of Mercer Island’s youth.

Kids Table

Judy Witmer digging for earthworms at the Kids Table with one of the Mercer Island Farmers Market's young customers.

Judy Witmer digging for earthworms at the Kids Table with one of the Mercer Island Farmers Market's young customers. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Volunteer Judy Witmer once again created another wonderful educational experience for our younger shoppers. Sunday’s farmers market’s kids table was dedicated to learning all about earthworms and the important role that they play in maintaining the health our soil.

A big “thank you” to Judy for all that she does for our farmers market and for helping to educate our community’s young people.

Vendors

Among the many vendor highlights from Sunday’s market was the return of Billy’s Organic Garden, Tonasket, WA, and the first MIFM market days for two new-to-our-market farms: the River Farm Organic Produce, Ellensburg, WA; and Tonnemaker Family Orchard, Royal City, WA.

Billy's Organic Garden booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 17, 2011.

Billy's Organic Garden booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 17, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Billy’s came with an large variety of organic produce, including apricots, arugula, blueberrries, herbs, and tomatoes. Billy’s was one of the most popular farmer-vendors at last year’s Mercer Island Farmers Market. We know how much our customers are waiting with great anticipation for their organic peaches and peppers as well as for their organic heirloom tomatoes to begin arriving in greater numbers and varieties as the weather gets hotter.

Jerry, owner of the River Farm Organic Product, waiting on customers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 17, 2011.

Jerry, owner of the River Farm Organic Product, waiting on customers at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 17, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

On Sunday, due to the poor growing season, the River Farm was able to come to the MIFM with only a few products: cabbage, peas, zucchini, and zucchini blossoms. But even this limited product still proved popular and demonstrated the farm’s commitment to producing quality organic fruits and vegetables. Depending on how the rest of the growing season works out, Jerry, the owner of the River Farm, plans to bring to our market chickens, eggs, melons, and peppers. We hear from our customers that have purchased Jerry’s melons at other area farmers markets that his melons are the most delicious around. Let’s all hope that the days and nights out in Ellensburg get hotter than they have been so that his heat-loving melons can grow and ripen so that we can get a chance to try them ourselves.

The Tonnemaker Family Orchard booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 17, 2011.

The Tonnemaker Family Orchard booth at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on July 17, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)

Tonnemakers is well-known for their huge variety of tree fruit (they have well-over 100 different varieties). This past Sunday, the Mercer Island Farmers Market’s customers got just a small taste, literally, of this diversity. Among the produce that they brought to the MIFM were three kinds of cherries: Rainier, Sandra Rose, and Sonata. Like Billy’s and the River Farm, Tonnemaker’s diversity of product should increase in the weeks and months ahead. So plan to head to the Mercer Island Farmers Market weekly to find the freshest, local produce around.

The Mercer Island Farmers Market still does not have its full complement of farmers yet. Later this year as their produce comes into season, we expect to welcome back to the Mercer Island Farmers Market two popular tree-fruit farmers:

  • Booth Canyon Orchard, Carlton, WA, whose organic apples, pears, and plums were very popular at the MIFM in 2009. Due to a storm that destroyed a large portion of their crop last year, they couldn’t attend our market. We look forward to their return sometime in September; and
  • Jones Creek Farm, Sedro-Woolley, WA, whose organic apples, plums, and garlic have been a mainstay of the MI Farmers Market since our first season. We look forward to their return sometime next month.