Labor Day Weekend
Asian pears from Sai's Garden
Labor Day Weekend
Labor Day weekend is almost here and with it comes the start of our final market session of the season.
The summer weather reminds us there is a long haul ahead before we pack things up in early November, but like it or not, the signs of the season are starting to pop in.
The varieties of fresh apples are growing by the week and even some winter squash has been sighted at Yang Family Produce.
For now we'll stay awash in fresh tomatoes, like these pictured Green Zebras from Happy Valley Farm and save our fears of frost til October.
While we have high hopes that hot days and warm nights last, we know for many Labor Day weekend marks the last big grilling opportunity of the summer. Thankfully we've got you covered with a great selection of beef from Highland Spring Farm, chicken from Bryant Family Farms and pork from Pecatonica Valley Farm, all sure to satisfy whatever steak, burger, sausage, hot dog or wings are requested.
Stop by Alsum Sweet Corn (pictured) for a dozen ears for boiling or grilling and grab a fresh onion or two from Blue Moon Community Farm to top those burgers as well.
For the meatless crowd, let Fungi Farmers hook you up with some fresh oyster mushrooms (pictured), which are great grilled.
A couple of cold beers might sound nice with that grill going, but if you're looking for a tasty N/A option, grab a four-pack of sparkling cider from Ten Eyck Orchard, super refreshing and no regrets for having too many.
We're sending off August with a special event this weekend, our Zucchini Car Races! For first-timers, several of our produce vendors donate large zucchini and kids build and decorate their own cars to run down our "Zucchini Speedway." The fun starts about 8am and runs til the end of the market or when the zucchini runs out.
So join us this Saturday for another great market and the start of the fall session. READY. SET. GO!!!
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.
Vendor & Weekly Market Notices
Live Jewelry Farm will be absent from the market this Saturday, August 31st. They will return the following week.
Daily Vendors - Saturday, August 31st:
Alsum Sweet Corn
Garden Gate Flowers
Hope & Hill Flower Co.
Pecatonica Valley Farm
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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