A Kiss of Cold & Leaves of Gold
Get them before they're gone!
Fresh green beans from Natalie's Garden & Greenhouse
A Kiss of Cold & Leaves of Gold
Across the city, the hum of furnaces kicking back on for the first time could be heard this week as frost settled in for a few nights. A harbinger of what's to come, but not yet what's lost.
We've four markets to go in the 2024 season, wrapping up on November 9th. There's plenty yet to enjoy, but no longer is there time to take anything for granted.
The time is now to grab up the special quince fruit (pictured) from Pleasant Springs Orchard, perfect for a decadent jam or slab pie.
As we count down, we're prepared for the goodbyes of the next few weeks. We said farewell this past Saturday to Alsum Sweet Corn & Colos Olive Oil, both of whom we look forward to seeing next season. This weekend we're happy to have one last chance to grab up spicy peppers, seasoning blends and more from Savory Accents.
B's Honey will be with us through the end of the year, but the chance to grab their floral bouquets (pictured) are numbered.
A few farewells don't mean the market isn't still flush with fantastic finds, like freshly harvested potatoes, countless varieties of winter squash, hardy root crops and many tasty fall greens, like the pictured kales & chard from Blue Moon Community Farm.
Cold nights are well warmed with a homemade soup, and no better source of ingredients than those freshly harvested and brought to market. This week give this classic Portuguese potato kale soup, Caldo Verde, a try. It's easy, hearty and warms from within.
This Saturday looks to be a bit warmer, but no chance on it slowing down the season. The colors will be bright, but the fall still comes. Enjoy the weeks left, we won't take any for granted.
See you at market!
Ben Zimmerman
Market Manager
For the safety of our shoppers, we ask you to please walk your bikes through the market.
As a reminder to everyone, dogs are prohibited within the market area, though we welcome service animals at all times.
WCM Tote Bags for Sale
New Westside Community Market tote bags are now for sale!
Offered in a natural-tone canvas, these spacious bags feature our market bunny logo designed by Snaggle Tooth Arts of Madison and will be available, while supplies last at the Info Tent for $15 each, cash, check or Venmo (including tap-to-pay cards).
Vendor & Weekly Market Notices
Madison Sourdough will be absent from the market Saturdays, October 19th & 26th. They will return for one final market on November 2nd.
Daily Vendors - Saturday, October 19th:
Pecatonica Valley Farm
Alsum Sweet Corn, Flyte Family Farms, Live Jewelry Farm & Door County Fruit Market have finished vending for the 2024 season. They all wish to thank their customers and look forward to returning next season.
Dane County Farmers' Market
Cookbooks for Sale!
We are very happy have the wonderful "The Dane County Farmers’ Market Cookbook: Local Foods, Global Flavors" by amazing food writer Terese Allen available for purchase at the Info Tent.
The book is bursting with great stories and recipes built around the unique and vibrant farmers market scene Madison has to offer. Find new and delicious ways to utilize your market finds, while supporting the market.
Copies will be available each Saturday at the Info Tent. The books sell for $35 and can be purchased with cash, check or Venmo (including Tap-to-Pay cards).
Food Scrap Collection at the Market!
Beginning July 20th, Sustain Dane is expanding its free Food Scraps Drop-Off program to the Westside Community Market. According to the Wisconsin DNR, our landfills consist of 14.5% food that would be traditionally edible, and 6% “food scraps” (like peels). Take action and bring your food scraps to Sustain
Dane’s Westside Market booth on Saturdays from July 20th to November 2nd*, from 7:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
They can accept the following materials:
Raw Fruits
Raw Vegetables
Coffee Grounds
Loose Tea
Plain Pasta/Rice
Eggshells
Gourds
They cannot accept the following:
Meat
Dairy
Cooked Foods
Bread
Produce Stickers & Twist Ties
“Compostable” Bags
“Compostable” Utensils (Forks, Plates, Cups, etc.)
Paper Products
To date, this free public program has composted over 36,000 pounds. Compost buckets will be available at the first market to use for the remainder of the program.
Missed a market day? Bring your scraps to one of their other locations at the South Madison or Eastside Markets on Tuesdays.
All collected scraps are taken to Neighborhood Food Solutions (NFS) Farm which supports formerly incarcerated individuals in urban agriculture and teens in entrepreneurial and agricultural training. NFS
provides farming opportunities for community members who may not normally have access and resources to learn about and participate in farming. With this partnership, food scraps collected at the farmers markets will help to rebuild and create healthy soil at the farm to continue growing produce.
This program is in partnership with the City of Madison and Neighborhood Food Solutions. Learn more about the program here.
*The extension of the Westside Community Market food scraps recycling site is part of a youth led Sustain Dane initiative through the Youth Climate Action Fund focusing on youth engagement in food composting.”
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