Happy National Farmers' Market Week!
A beautiful day at the Westside Community Market
Happy National Farmers' Market Week!
Could there be a better time of year to celebrate National Farmers' Market Week than early August?
It's the time of year when the piles of fresh produce climb so high you can hardly see over the tables. The time when summer sings out its rejoice of the labor of our vendors and the first hints of the fall harvest can be seen.
The field tomatoes fill table after table at booths such as Blue Moon Community Farm, Black Earth Valley and County Line Plants & Produce.
Yet the celebration of all things farmers' market, goes well beyond fresh produce. It's the many golden hues of varietal honey from B's Honey (pictured). The fresh baked goods that pop out of our market totes and the dozen eggs we pick up are more than just staples of our weekly meals.
The surprises of market mean just as much as what we put on our shopping lists. Pollen-less sunflowers from Natalie's Garden & Greenhouse may not have made the list, but they come home with us none-the-less.
New vendors, such as These Days Juice Co., offering something unexpected but so delicious, make those early trips to market well worth the sleepy morning journey.
Another surprise to delight us this week is fresh, never frozen, pastured turkey from Bryant Family Farms (pre-order to reserve yours). It's truly unique offerings like this that make shopping farmers' markets so special.
The celebration of farmers' markets in August also means we get a taste of what's to come in the next few months. This past weekend we welcomed back Pleasant Springs Orchard with their amazing melons and the first Lodi apples of the season.
The joy and beauty of farmers' markets goes even beyond all the flavor and beauty to be found among the vendors. We celebrate too the community that farmers' markets create and foster. The music, the activities, the conversations among friends, the bridge between the rural and urban. Our connection to each other, the land and what we eat are all things to celebrate this week and all season long.
We thank you all for being a part of it and hope you can take a moment this weekend to soak it all in.
See you at market!
Ben Zimmerman
Market Manager
Polls Open for America's Farmers' Market Celebration
American Farmland Trust and the Farmers' Market Coalition are offering a share of a $10,000 prize to the winners of their favorite farmers' market poll. Market fans can vote for the Westside Community Market through September 19th.
Cast your vote here:
We thank you all for your neverending support!
Market Notices: August 13th
Swing by the Info Tent and pick up a free Westside Community Market yard sign, or grab one set out in the aisle.
These Days Juice Co., Rude Brew Kombucha, & Ernie's African Kick Sauce will join us this weekend as daily vendors.
Market on the Move in 2023
We've got some big news to share regarding the 2023 market season. Many of you have already seen the news that UW Health is planning on building a new clinic in part of the market occupied lots starting next year.
With construction slated to begin next spring, we're happy to announce we'll be relocating to the MG&E Innovation Center inside University Research Park in 2023. Located about 1.5 miles south of our current location, the new market site will offer room for our vendors, along with ample parking space for our shoppers, as well as a shaded picnic area for everyone to relax and enjoy their market goods while listening to music and taking in those great market mornings.
We'll have more details to come later in the summer, but rest assured that the WCM will remain a great fixture of the west side community for years to come. For the remainder of 2022, you can find us each and every week at 750 University Row into early November.
Sweet as summer rain. Maple syrup from Open Kettle Farms
Our many thanks to Snaggle Tooth Arts of Wayward Tattoo for the market rabbit graphic!
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