So Long September

Fresh grapes from Bonde Bee

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So Long September

We are moving right along into fall with the last market of September upon us this weekend.

The days may be getting shorter, but we've been blessed with good weather, and finally some rain too.

Trips to the market, apple picking and fall yard work are all much more enjoyable with these beautiful days. For those looking to get some fall plantings in, stop by the Tend Native Plant booth this weekend to grab some pollinator-friendly perennials (pictured) for your space.

Fall raspberries are still coming in, and now is a great chance to eat them up before colder temps take them off the table. Yang Family Produce had some beauties last weekend (pictured), perfect for fresh eating, freezing for winter smoothies or a batch of jam.

Speaking of fresh finds, Bryant Family Farms will have fresh, never frozen chicken on special this weekend in a variety of cuts and whole birds. They'll offer fresh chicken again next weekend, in addition to fresh turkey as well.

While we hope the warm days keep coming, soup season is just around the corner. We'll be sharing some great recipes in the coming weeks featuring fall soups that pair perfectly with seasonal market produce. In the meantime, if you're looking to add some great flavor and depth to your favorite soups and other recipes, stop by Fungi Farmers and grab some of their mushroom extract powders (pictured).

This weekend we're excited to welcome back University Houses Preschool who will be offering some fun free kids activities, located next to our friendly musicians, the Market Ramblers.

We don't want to rush to the end of the season anytime soon, so we'll happily soak up the last market in September with sunshine, smiles and plenty of great seasonal finds.

See you at market!

Ben Zimmerman

Market Manager

manager.wcm@gmail.com

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.

P.S. Check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

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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).

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Vendor & Weekly Market Notices

B. Kurt Dairy, Highland Spring Farm, Landmark Creamery & Tortillas Los Angeles will be absent from the market this Saturday, September 28th. They will return the following week.

Daily Vendors - Saturday, September 28th:

Hope & Hill Flower Co.

Pecatonica Valley Farm

Steppin' Out Foods

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.

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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).

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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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