Strawberries Today!

Finally some farmers' market pictures!  After several rainy days where LFLF didn't dare pull out the camera, we had a break in the rain for the Beaver Farmers' Market today.  And what a day it was .... the first strawberries of the season were on the table and folks lined up to get them.  We slipped in to the Oak Spring Farm booth and picked out 2 pints of snow peas ..... they were right behind the rhubarb stalks.  There were more strawberries at the other end of the market as well as some really nice lettuces & garlic scapes.  Our choices were red romaine, green or red bibb, & green or red oak leaf lettuces.  We chose the reb bibb lettuce and a bundle of garlic scapes. 

We ended up with some baked goods and 3 pots of wave petunias before we left the market!  

Local Wines

It's been a little while since we've had a post on this blog ..... Based on other activities, we've had to miss several farmers' markets, but we did participate in the Waynesburg Sheep & Fiber Fest  last weekend.  The festival is a supporter of local fiber arts and local agriculture.  Sunny Sprouts Greenhouse from West Newton was at the festival for the 1st time and we also had 2 local wineries, Thistlethwaite Vineyards & Plum Run Winery. Plum Run is know for their selection of fruit wines and they can also be found as a vendor periodically at the Main Street Farmers' Market of Washington, PA .
LFLF did make it to the Beaver Farmers' Market on Saturday, but it was POURING RAIN and it wasn't the best time to take pictures.  FYI, Robin of Ridgemont Farms was there for the first time this season with her wonderful cut flowers!  

1st Ambridge Market Today!

By the time I got to the market today in Ambridge, the lettuce & asparagas was sold out, as well as most of Pat's baked goods .....
LFLF got some lovely bunches of new onions.   Just perfect for salad!  There were also bedding plants, herbs, & hanging baskets for sale.  Two of the farmers had potatoes from last fall and they looked great.  I'd expect to see rhubarb and radishes soon.

Local Food - Local Fiber!

Don't miss a chance to get your fiber fix and taste local lamb at the  Waynesburg Sheep & Fiber Fest on May 15th & 16th.  Lamb samples will be served and area chefs will demonstrate their specialty dishes on both days.  Elysian Fields Farm will provide the lamb for the demos and will also have lamb available for sale at the festival.   If you'd like to support local wineries, Plum Run Winery and Thistlethwaite Vineyards will be showcasing & selling their wines at the festival. 
For a preview of the festival photo contest, stop in at the Pennsylvania Welcome Center on I-79 North and vote on your favorite for the "Peoples' Choice Award"!   The exhibit will be moved to the festival site at the Greene County Fairgrounds for everyone to enjoy.    

Beaver County Markets Opening!

We just saw the ad in the Beaver County Times ...... the Beaver Farmers' Market opens on Saturday May 1st!   Let's get out there and see what's for sale on opening day!

LFLF Finds Foodie Stash!

All winter long, we have been reading email updates from the Main Street Farmers' Market of Washington, PA.   They have been able to extend the local food season through the generosity of the local florist.   The Ivy Green is located along the parking lot that hosts the farmers' market "in season".  In the off-season, the market vendors have been bringing their specialties to The Ivy Green where they can be purchased throughout the week.  While passing through "Little Washington" last Friday, LFLF grabbed the opportunity to stop and shop!  We found a nice selection of local items including heads of hydroponic lettuce, cheeses, breads, chicken, canned & frozen beef, jams & jellies, & baked goods.  
We left with farmers' cheese & biscotti, but you could have had any of these great items ..... mmmmmm!

Cheeses from Emerald Valley Farm.

Canned & frozen beef from Strath an De Farm.

Fresh baked breads from The Wood Street Bread Company.

Soup mixes and frozen chickens from Tally Hollow Farm, a project of Sustaining Greene County.  We first met up with the Sustaining Green County non-profit in 2005 and it's been interesting watching the farm & projects develop.    

I'll bet everyone is waiting for the farmers' market to open for the 2010 season. Thanks to the folks at The Ivy Green for allowing LFLF to take pictures and share!  

Attention Foodies - ALERT!

The Sewickley Farmers' Market  is opening this Saturday, April 10th.  If you're a farmers' market customer or a vendor from another market, this is the time to check out another market and support local farmers!   Check out the link below and it will take you to a neat source for info on connections to local agriculture ........... 
yumpittsburgh.com