If you like that sort of a tale, then you’ll want to catch the bottom of this week’s newsletter when I introduce you to one of our newer producers in this week’s spotlight.
But first – let’s look at who’s in/who’s out this week with our “Forkcast” this week:
You can expect to see:
FIRST ROW- from the bottom UP:
Pam of West Farms WV (Flowers, LAMB & STRAWBERRIES… the sort you’ve likely never seen before!!)
Paradox Farms – with all the biodynamic everything!
Conifer Breads (2nd week with CROISSANTS and more laminated pastries)
Little Hat Creek – with ALL the organic starts for you to get your garden going NOW
Hearthstone Farms – a mini farmers market all in one booth
6 Bittersweets (THE MOST Elegant Cupcakes)
Katrina Hope – LIVE MUSIC (folding camp chairs available) (Share some love & $ with the performers if you like what you hear )
Mountaineer Munchkins Homestead (*Now signing up Herd-Shares*)
Climb UP the slope to the top of the market for:
Blue Ridge Cider Doughnut (Go Nuts for HOT donuts right out of the fryer!)
2ND ROW – from the bottom UP:
Singing Earth Produce – Adolfo is back!
Whistle Creek Pet Nutrition & Cardinal Feather Farm (Wood products) – shared booth
Ritual Bread – SOURDOUGH from organic, local grains (try that authentic RYE bread #swoon, and rustic, moist cornbread)
Sensorium Herbals – Shannon still has some few, remaining Ramp products – don’t miss out!
Kelly’s Persian Foods – someone tried his Lemon Saffron Syrup and called it “LIQUID SUNSHINE” – come get yours!
Twista J Farm LLC – QUAIL eggs, all the meats, herd shares
Just Bee Apiary – Sweets for the sweet…
THIRD ROW – from the bottom UP
Sunflower Flats – JoEllen, in her NEW location, and Say “hi” to Winona, or Steve, as her family joins her alternating weeks
PS – didja know that they have NEVER used any pesticides or chemicals – EVER?!<3 #madskills
Eat my treats – Trecia back in Row 3 for High Season 🙂
Blumengarten Designs for all your flowers & centerpieces and ALL the LAVENDER things!
Maunsell Foods – The GF & Alpha-Gal safe treats & snacks – ALSO * Our Vendor spotlight this week!
Aaron, The Knife Man – On-Site Sharpening Services and free plants, nut butter samples
Harridan Apothecary – newer vendor, but already a fan fave! Go see Shelley
ABSENCES – JUST FOR THIS WEEK
Three R’s Microgreens Farm – It’s Mark’s Birthday!
Hermitage Hollow – getting the farm ready for season
Ferncliff Florals & Ferments – getting the farm ready for season
Blueberry Hill at Still House – getting the farm ready for season
The Maury River Mushrooms Farm – building up inventory for MAY
Refill Rockbridge – only from 10am – Noon, and only with us every 2nd & 4th weeks
!! VENDORS RETURNING IN MAY & MAY EVENTS !!
Ulmer Mountain View Farms (greenhouse produce)
Asunder Coffee
The Maury River Mushrooms Farm
Three R’s Microgreens
Hermitage Hollow – getting the farm ready for season
Ferncliff Florals & Ferments – getting the farm ready for season
Blueberry Hill at Still House – getting the farm ready for season
B&B Culinary – to be confirmed, still!
Refill Rockbridge – only from 10am – Noon, and only with us every 2nd & 4th weeks
and………
May 7th – We will do everything possible to make your Mother’s Day celebrations go off without a hitch! We’ve got you covered… this week, the vendors at each booth can tell you what you can expect from them for Mother’s Day. Remember to treat yourself, too!
Finally, in our Producer’s Spotlight “corner”, this week we’re going to introduce you to Karen Stanley, with her Business “Maunsell’s.
You’ll find her floating around this season in Rows 3 or 4, but with her sampling her crunchy, tasty spiced nuts and granola, she’s already become sought out each week. Here’s why:
* Great products
* All are ALPHAGAL Safe
* Many happen to also be Vegan, and Gluten-Free.
But, she’s also got all the characteristics of A Winner; A Risk-Taker & A Pragmatist.
The back story:
LIving in this area, she enjoyed as much of the great outdoors as possible, understandably as this region is gorgeous. But the penalty turned out ot be a nasty tick bite – not uncommon here at all. What IS uncommon is how determined she was, instantly, to find ways to still enjoy familiar flavors and treats despite all the traditional dietary restrictions you have once you suffer a Lone Star Tick Bite. It’s a confusing and painful time, and just when youre feeling terrible, now all your favorite foods are your enemy.
What’s a gal to do?
Well, if you’re THIS Karen, you spring into action, develop your own recipes, learn everything you can, and build your own commercial kitchen so that you can create a whole line of goods that stores across Amherst, Bedford and now Rockbridge County carry. Best of all, she is a tremendous resource and willing to share what she’s learned with anyone who is newly faced with a similar challenge .
Even if you aren’t vegan, or gluten free, or don’t even need anything alpha gal safe, her snacks are seriously tasty and she will let you sample most everything. You’re in for a treat, people! Enjoy yourselves
PS: Bonus points if you can guess where she’s from when you hear her accent 😉
See you at market!