BRYN MAWR FARMERS MARKET

Bryn Mawr Farmers Market Ushers in 2012

2012-01-05T21:47:00.004-05:00

The Bryn Mawr Farmers Market welcomes the new year with a great bounty of winter items this Saturday. Join us this weekend, and on the first and third Saturdays of the next few months. Find us on FaceBook for up to the minute market details.

Bryn Mawr Farmers Market cheers for the holiday season

2011-12-14T22:02:00.004-05:00

Merrily we stroll along....at the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market shopping for Hannukah and Christmas goodies and more!

Be sure to include us in your holiday planning and stop by for delicious and festive gourmet treats, ingredients for your savory and sweet cooking, hostess gifts, and presents for family and friends.

And if you like to plan a bit ahead, consider making a list and checking it twice for New Years Eve/Day shopping - - this weekend at the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market.

We hope to see you this Saturday - and remember winter hours are 10am - 12noon.

Please visit our FaceBook page for regular updates and news.

Bryn Mawr Farmers Market open 2 Saturdays per month/ winter season

2011-11-17T09:13:00.004-05:00

Fall has been bustling along here in Bryn Mawr and our neighborhood farmer's market is going strong with seasonal produce and specialty items for delicious meals, special occasions, and excellent gift giving too!

Our regular season is coming to a close with the Thanksgiving holiday - be sure to continue to frequent the market with our new and improved winter hours - for the first time ever we will be open in the winter on TWO Saturdays per month with shortened hours [1st and 3rd Saturdays from 10am - noon]
--- and a continuous variety of local produce and products for your pantry and kitchen will be sure to delight throughout the cozier shorter winter months.

We hope to see you this weekend for some holiday shopping and wish you a very happy season of warmth, delicious cooking and treasured moments with family and friends.

See our FaceBook page for regular updates and special market news.

Is Autumn finally here? Crisp cool and windy days seem on their way...

2011-09-30T19:53:00.003-04:00

...and we are focused on "Fall Food" just hoping we may bring an end to the tropical moisture and usher in the colorful falling leaves and enjoy the outdoors a bit more! In the meantime, we will be at the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market this weekend prepping for our autumn meals by indulging in fresh apples, squahs, pumpkins, lamb, veal, cheeses, honey, salad greens and other delectables now available from our bountiful local farms.

Please join us at the market and check out our FaceBook page for details on some of the market offerings available this weekend.

And don't miss our local celebrity Chef Jacquie at the market this weekend as she demonstrates simple autumn cooking ideas using produce and goods from the BMFM. And take note of some of our new additions to the market - soup and more!

Molly and Laura

Bryn Mawr 100 - Celebrate in our town this weekend

2011-09-09T09:45:00.002-04:00

The Bryn Mawr Farmers Market is a proud participant in the celebrations honoring institutions and organizations that are over 100 years old - its amazing to learn about the history of our town and our Main Line beginnings. Be sure to come by for some extra special cooking demonstrations before or after you attend area events including an official ceremony to kick things off! See our FaceBook page for more details.

Also this weekend is the true height of the produce season as we start to wind down from summer and enter our autumn market phase. We are already thinking ahead to our winter market plans as the regular farmers market weekly routine will shift perhaps to a once a month winter market as we did last year for the first time - in addition some of our producers offer wonderful buying clubs so you may access their products all year long. One example is the Two Gander Farm Winter Share CSA and another is the Hails Family Farm option called Front Porch Organic.com. Please explore our vendor's individual websites for details regarding these individual programs. We very much appreciate your supporting our farmers all year long.

The Bryn Mawr Farmers Market will remain open on a weekly basis until just before Thanksgiving - please continue to visit us every Saturday!

Molly and Laura

Labor Day weekend Bryn Mawr Farmers Market is OPEN

2011-09-02T17:37:00.002-04:00

We welcome you this holiday weekend with a terrific supply of food, products and fun - join us and stock up on goodies for the last few remaining lazy days of summer.

AND be sure to mark your calendars for next weekends fabulous fun festival: Bryn Mawr 100. The Farmers Market will be celebrating with the many local organizations over 100 hundred years old and counting!

Please see our FaceBook page for more.

Weather won't get in our way!

2011-08-27T07:50:00.003-04:00

In anticipation of the Great Hurricane of 2011 why don't we all head to the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market this morning and stock up on delicious locally produced goodies - we can hunker for the weekend with fresh veggies, fruits, delicious breads and cheeses, coffee, pastries, desserts and more.

Chef Jacquie will be at the market today with cooking demonstrations so we don't even need to think about what to do with the goodies we buy - we can just follow her lead! We have enough to think about preparing for the water and the wind!

See you there in a few....
Laura and Molly

Top of the mountain...

2011-08-12T07:28:00.004-04:00

Veggies are at the peak of the season now with the ultimate in taste and variety - come see the abundance this weekend for yourself! For example, one of our original stalwart farmers has the following to offer you: basil, green beans, beets, cabbage, carrots, rainbow chard, collards, sweet corn, cucumuber, eggplant, garlic, kale, leeks, lettuce (several species), sweet onions, green peppers, red and Yukon Gold potatoes, baby arugula, spring mix, cherry tomatoes, tomatoes, watermelon, and more.

Bud Wimer's adds, "The variety of corn that is in season right now is a bicolor variety known as Providence which is known for its superb eating quality... In the 'olden days' one needed to eat or freeze corn very soon after picking to have the best sweet taste. Not so with some of the new varieties. We have had corn days after picking that still had great flavor." We can attest to this enduring quality of produce as we do our weekly shopping at the market and finish our last purchases on Friday evenings before shopping at the market each Saturday morning.

On that note, we adore corn salad which doesnt even require a recipe, its a mish mash of veggies and beans and citrus fruit flavor, even the herbs may be swapped out for whatever you happen to have in your garden or purchased from BMFM.

Here's a sample mix or two: always start with a large bowl adding few freshly cooked ears of BMFM corn and cooked beans {canned is fine} such as black beans or kidney beans or both. Add a few tablespoons of your favorite citrus fruit juice such as a lime squeezed into the bowl and perhaps embellish with a tsp of your favorite vinegar, ideally a mild vinegar so as not to overpower the salad, such as rice wine vinegar. Mix in any additional veggies and olive oil to taste, usually at least 1/4 cup EVO. We like to mix halved cherry tomatoes and chopped red peppers and basil. Some of our friends and BMFM customers prefer to add tons of oregano and goat cheese crumbled to the veggies. Serve over a bed of baby arugula for a speedy meal. Add Wayne's chicken on the grill from the BMFM and your protein lovers will be satisfied too! For vegetarians mixing in cooked brown rice will make the bean+rice complete protein without animal protein.

PS our little farmers market helpers recommend you also consider some BMFM yogurt topped with BMFM honey for dessert - and one little market shopper notes the honey in honey comb is especially delectable and fun to eat.

Enjoy!

Customers and Farmers Applaud the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market

2011-08-06T08:20:00.004-04:00

The Bryn Mawr Farmers Market is growing in size and success steadily this season: customers and farmers, vendors and patrons of all varieties are giving us positive feedback about the offerings and success of sales at the market. This means we thank YOU for being the fabulous clientele that you are and we thank the local farmers for supplying such a fresh supply of fruit, vegetables, meats, cheeses, honey, and the list goes on... for all of us to enjoy.

Today's market is at the peak of the season and therefore market offerings are great and quality is exceptional. Enjoy this height of the season now through September. We realize not everyone likes to cook, but we can happily assemble meals from the farmers market with little or no effort. And on days that we want a tiny bit of homemade goodness we may stick to the simplest creation in the kitchen: beverages!

Here's a delicious adaption of a southern favorite - Summer Peach Tea Punch: use fresh peaches from the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market and simply put a pot of water on the stove to boil, add a few of your favorite tea bags and remove from heat to steep for a minute or two or three, add mint or other herbs to taste and crush with a spoon against the side of the pan to release flavor in the oils of the plants. Discard the teabags and herbs. In another pot boil one cup of water and 1 cup of suger or another sweetener of your choice [test for desired sweetness as the proportions will vary] and stir the "simple syrup", put aside to cool, and eventually use as the sweetener alongside the fruit in this drink adding 1/4 cup at a time until the degree of sweetness is ideal for your palette. In a separate container mash peeled fruit and push through a strainer to extract juice {or use a juicer or a blender depending on the degree of pulp you want in your drink} and combine all. Chill and serve poured over ice!

Bryn Mawr Farmers Market cools us all down!

2011-07-29T11:51:00.003-04:00

We've asked many of our fellow farmers market patrons and we all seem to agree: the heat wave is just plain hard to take. But since we like to find positive angles on everything --- we know a brutally hot summer in the Philadelphia area need not be unpleasant if we slow down a bit, focus on the fun in the sun, and limit our time in a warm kitchen.

From fresh grilled vegetables to easy to serve cheeses and breads, to simple no-stove-no-oven recipes for easy meals - the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market offers a complete selection of items to enjoy the remainder of the summer weather in a leisurely (food wise!) fashion.

Our most recent experiments in the kitchen have led to truly basic meals, perhaps made a tad more sophisticated with fun mixed drinks (a quick run to the local state store and some limes are all we need!), a loaf of BMFM bread and a healthy discussion on the debt ceiling.

We hope you will come out to the market for fresh tomatoes, innumerable veggies, fruit and treats to make a weeks worth of shopping a simple, speedy pleasure on Saturday morning.

In the meantime, here is a recipe to keep you cool:

Zucchini "Carpaccio" on the Grill

1 lb. green zucchini

1 lb. yellow zucchini

1/3 cup olive oil

2 tsp grated lemon zest {or fresh herbs including lemon verbena}

juice of one lemon {or mixture of herbs and perhaps a tsp. of a favorite vinegar}

2 shallots, minced

1/2 cup fresh parsley, minced

S+P to taste

optional: 1 minced clove of garlic; 1 chili pepper, seeded and minced; 1 cup of favorite cheese, grated; chopped herbs for serving presentation.

Preheat grill to medium. OR serve raw and therefore no need to light the grill at all!

Slice zuchini lengthwise (cut off either end if you so desire) into 1/2cm thick slices {experiment with thickness, we like them rather thin but our husbands like them to be thicker and it seems to depend on how much charring one prefers} and place in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, lemon zest+juice or substititions/ optional ingredients and shallots. Season to taste with S+P. Add vegetables and gently toss to coat. Allow to stand for 5 - 15 mins.

To finish and serve choose one of 2 options:

Strain marinade/dressing and save for serving. Grill vegetables, cooking on each side for approx 1 min. Remove to a serving platter and spoon dressing over and if your tastebus prefer, top with cheese and chili pepper and any herbs.

OR

Place raw veggies in dressing on a serving platter and sprinkle with any toppings such as cheese if desired.

Another healthy dose of S+P and drizzle of your finest bottle of EVO might be a good finishing touch.

Serves 6
Adapted from Earth to Table: Seasonal Recipes from an Organic Farm

2011-07-14T16:51:00.002-04:00

The lazy days of summer are truly upon us and the farmers market is a treasure trove of delectible goodies to day dream about and cook into very real meals for all of us!

We are especially eager to stay cool and thus focus on cooking that doesnt require the oven. Hence we encourage you to come out and spend your morning the freshest way around Bryn Mawr - at the farmers market selecting easy meal items for your weekly needs.

One favorite recipe for this time of year is any cold soup that suits your tastebuds. The latest recipe we are eager to try comes from Food and Wine magazine this month. We've altered it to make the cooking experience fast and enjoyable and the tastes light and not overpowering = we know you have better things to do right now than slave over a hot stove like reading a book with a glass of wine on your patio - so enjoy and relax. This is best made a day or two ahead of time - even better!

Chilled Peach Soup with Fresh Goat Cheese
adapted from Food and Wine magazine July 2011

3 c fresh peaches sliced
1/4 c diced peeled cucumber plus thin slices for garnish if youre entertaining!
1/3 cup diced yellow pepper [or red, or skip it altogether!]
2 tbsp honey [you know we have a local brand at the market that is out of this world : ) try it!]
3 Tbsp crumbled goat cheese [more for garnish if you take the time]
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar [+ more for seasoning optional]
1/4 c olive oil
sea salt to taste
1 small garlic clove, ideally chopped in a few large pieces
2 c diced baguette [small pieces best]
approx 2 tbsp chopped basil leaves - or to taste
and basil slivers for garnish [again, only if you want presentation here]

Toss peaches, cucs, pepper and add honey, 3 Tbsp goat cheese, 1/4 c vinegar and 2 Tbsp olive oil. Stir in salt to taste - we used 1 tsp.. Add the garlic. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Discard garlic ie attempt to strain or scoop out pieces. Transfer contents of bowl to a blender and puree. Add water [1/3 c works for us; start with less] and puree again, til creamy. Season with salt+vinegar. Refrigerate at least an hour to meld flavors and until soup is cold.

Make croutons with bread cubes and remaining 1/4 c olive oil sprinkled on a saute pan...toss over low heat until toasted approx 2-3 mins.. Transfer to a cloth or plate and season with sea salt if desired.

To serve pour soup into soup bowls and garnish with sliced cucumber, belle pepper, goat cheese, croutons and basil. Drizzle lightly with olive oil, season with black pepper if desired, and serve cold or at room temperature.

This mild flavored soup is lovely served alongside a green salad, perhaps grilled fish or chicken, with a very simple pinot grigio and a book or great conversationalists!

Molly and Laura

Juice Girls Join Us

2011-06-30T15:53:00.003-04:00

The Juice Girls, two adorable Lower Merion young ladies (and their parents), are back after a fantastic successful guest vendor debut last season. They will offer fresh squeezed orange juice this Saturday until they run out outta juice ---- in exchange for donations to benefit Bryn Mawr Beautiful. Did you know the gorgeous seasonal plants and flowers around town, on the streets and hanging baskets at the train station for example, are planted annually by a small group of resident volunteers? And they could always use more green thumbs and help funding their work to beautify our town. Lets us know if youre interested in volunteering!

Summer zizzles at the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market where we anticipate peaches and tomatoes ripening for July and hope this weekend finds you relaxing with family and friends to celebrate Independence Day. Come out to the market for holiday menu ingredients!

Dont forget that our cheese selection is fabulous as you entertain or treat your family to special meals this summer - we've tried a delicious cheese cake using goat cheese recently - does that recipe seem worth transcribing? Let us know! Also please let us know what you'd like to hear more about, see at the market, and experience in our community of Bryn Mawr when you have a minute. We look forward to your emails.
Laura and Molly

Cooking demo day at Bryn Mawr Farmers Market today

2011-06-25T05:55:00.002-04:00

Join us today between 9am and 1pm for cooking demonstrations by two of our local chefs: the bake at home pizza gurus in Bryn Mawr, Bake 425, will be creating, assembling and cooking pizza using Bryn Mawr Farmers Market ingredients and Jacquie Kelly, known as Chef Jacquie of Taste4Travel will be using market ingredients to make "healthy simple cooking" come to life.

Enjoy the season and the plentiful offerings of fresh produce and local products now that summer has officially arrived!

For updates on the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market happenings please visit us on FaceBook.

Molly and Laura

Father's Day Farmers Market

2011-06-16T14:49:00.004-04:00

The Bryn Mawr Farmers Market is a great resource for your Fathers Day celebration. Purchase delicious and simple gifts for the men in your life such as chocolates, honey, and coffee.

We've been enjoying local eggs and spinach this week and share another delicious recipe below - - - a lovely Fathers Day brunch menu item perhaps!

Scrambled Eggs with Spinach and Cheese

(adapted from Horn of the Moon Cookbook by Ginny Callan)

Have ready 1/4 oz of cheese (we mix a few from the market vendors depending on our mood!), 1/2 cup fresh spinach, slightly packed and then chopped, and a pinch of dried thyme or fresh basil for every 2 eggs you scramble.

Also delicious with additional veggies added such as asparagus and mushrooms. We've successfully tried a mixture of sauteed onions and garlic to the eggs as well. Freshly shelled peas add a delicious sweet crunch!

Three Cheers for Cherries!

2011-06-10T09:37:00.002-04:00

As summer days lengthen the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market offerings grow substantially and we look forward to delicious foods! Come out and take a look at the exceptional products available to our community.

The weather has been a bit too hot for people this week with record temperatures in recent days, but perhaps just right for ripening fruit - - and Frecon will bring cherries to the market tomorrow.

Also coming this week - fresh chickens from Canter Hill. As Farmers Jen and Wayne explain, "Canter Hill's chickens grow at half the speed, which increases their nutrient and vitamin absorption, making them a healthier and tastier bird."

Please visit us on FaceBook for regular updates on market news!

Welcome Summer!

2011-06-03T13:55:00.002-04:00

Its not officially summer (yet), but our recent heat wave has ripened up the early summer veggies such as tomatoes and zucchini. Wimers Organics sent us their produce list for the week - come by the market early for the best selection. And coming up next week - the return of Frecon Farms with cherries!

Here's the Wimer's list, and we hope to see you for what promises to be a beautiful Saturday morning at the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market.

Basil
Foot long beans
Red and gold beets
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Chard
Cucumbers
Kale
Lettuce
Mustard greens
Sugar peas
Snap peas
Radishes
Spinach
Baby greens
Tomatoes - red, yellow, plum, cherry
Zucchini - green & gold
Herbs

Memorial Day Weekend Goodies at Bryn Mawr Farmers Market

2011-05-26T21:33:00.002-04:00

This weekend the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market offers an ideal selection of products for your Memorial Day weekend family gathering, neighborhood BBQ or quiet romantic dinner!

Come out and enjoy a chef's demonstration by Bryn Mawr's own pizza baking phenomenon using fresh local ingredients to make pizzas that you take and bake at home --- BAKE 425.

The market is in full swing now with nearly all of our usual vendors taking part weekly. Join us on FaceBook for a listing of market participants and regular updates on our news and weekly plans.

Welcome Market Day Canele

2011-05-20T17:14:00.009-04:00

Attention dessert lovers - joining the Bryn Mawr Farmers market this season is Market Day Canele, recently profiled by Philadelphia Magazine. Market Day Canele bakes irrestible, elegant pastries with a sweet, crunchy exterior and vanilla-custard like interior. Warning: they can quickly become an addiction. Made in Philadelphia, the canele ingredients include fresh whole milk, eggs, sugar, flour, rum, butter, Tahitian vanilla and oranze zest. We are sure you will enjoy this unique treat!

And if you prefer to do your own baking, we baked a fantastic Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake earlier this week, using Livengood's fresh rhubarb. Calling it a hit would be an understatement! Click here for the recipe from Martha Stewart. We used about half as much sugar in the cake batter than the recipe called for, and the results were outstanding.

Hails Family Farm will be back this Saturday with their delicious, organic milk, yogurt, cheese and other dairy products. We hope you'll join us for a sweet weekend at the market!

The Spring Season is On!

2011-05-12T09:36:00.000-04:00

Thank you to all who supported the market last Saturday - it was a beautiful day to open our 3rd season. And thanks to our farmers and producers who helped us earn a spot on Philadelphia Magazine's "Our 15 Favorite Farmers Markets" list - what a great way to kick off the spring/summer season.

If you didn't make it last Saturday, here is my shopping list from last week to give you an idea of the offerings - goat cheese, honey, coffee, baguettes, apple/banana bread, cherry pie, spring lettuce, baby spinach, asparagus, rhubarb, chicken breasts, duck eggs, veal chops, pork ribs, and steaks! We've been eating well this week and had a great mother's day BBQ last Sunday. There is such a wide variety of fresh and locally-grown food available at the market - come see for yourself!

Wimer's Organics provided us with their list for this Saturday - Wimer's will be offering foot long beans, bunched beets, baby boc choi, chard, cilantro, collards, cucumbers, kale, lettuces, baby spinach, baby arugula, spring onions, radishes, cherry tomatoes, baby sweet potatoes and a variety of fresh herbs. Yum. And your favorites from Canter Hill Farm, Birchrun Hills, Livengood's, Davidson's Mushrooms, Two Gander Farm, Shellbark Hollow, and more will all be on hand as usual.

A few spring recipes to get you cooking:

Birchrun Hills pork tenderloin or pork chops with rhubarb chutney

Swiss chard and salami frittata

Looking for the most up to the minute news about the market? Join us on Facebook for updates, news, and help us develop our own Bryn Mawr Farmers Market recipe collection.

Hope we'll see you on Saturday - the market will be open 9am - 1 pm!

Opening Day Celebration

2011-05-06T08:32:00.004-04:00

Celebrate spring tomorrow at the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market Official Opening Day Event!
Hours are 9am - 1pm

Special activities back by popular demand for children and visiting vendors will include the Bryn Mawr Fire Department fire truck, the Hand Work Studio with kids crafts, adorable pets from Adoptions By Grace and more.
Community tables including Bryn Mawr 100 highlight our the current events in our town.
Gardeners will delight in Carolyn's Shade Gardens plant offerings and the native plants brought to us by the Lower Merion Conservancy.
Chef Jacquie's cooking demonstrations will inspire anyone looking for ideas on what to do with their purchases!

Market vendors are eager to please and bring a plethora of fresh items for Main Line foodies. Participants this week include:

MAY 7, 9 am - 1 pm
Amaranth Gluten-free Bakery
Birchrun Hills - aged cheeses, beef and veal from grassfed cows.
Canter Hill Farm - produce, poultry, eggs, lamb and more
Davidson Exotics - cremini and portabello, oyster, shiitake mushrooms
Herbal Springs Farmstead - eggs from pastured chickens; beef from grassfed cows; homebaked wholegrain breads, scones, whoopie pies, assorted pies; plants including perennials, herb starters, bedding, and native plants.
John & Kira's Chocolates
Market Day Canele - canele, caramels and florentines, savory tarts
Philly Fair Trade Roasters - Philadelphia-roasted fair-trade coffee
Renaissance Sausage
Shellbark Hollow Farm - chevre, chevres marinated in olive oil and herbs, spreads in many flavors, fresh cheese 'nested' in sundried tomatoes + pesto or in 'biscuit' form with honey, aged tomme, yogurt, kefir, milk.
Two Gander Farm - salad greens (arugula, spinach, salad mix, baby kale), radishes, garlic scallions, crimini and oyster mushrooms, turnips, honey.
Wild Flour Bakery
Wimer's Organics - lettuce, spinach, chard, kale, dandelion, baby boc choi, spring onions, cilantro and a few herbs

Also coming soon:
Green Zebra (mid to late May) and Frecon Farms (late May or June), and the dairy farm too.

Be sure to visit us on FaceBook for detailed information and fun story postings.

Happy May!
Laura and Molly

2011-04-28T12:39:00.003-04:00

The Bryn Mawr Farmers Market is open with new season hours this Saturday April 30 - 9am - 1pm.
And mark your calendars for the Opening Day Celebration next weekend Saturday May 7th.

The spring season has begun and farmers have delicious salad greens and spring veggies on hand for a taste of what warm weather brings to the Philadelphia area!

Join your Main Line neighbors for a shopping treat and consider the following salad using produce available from our market:

Radish and Arugula Salad

1 - 2 oranges or other citrus like tangerines
2 Tbsp finely chopped radishes plus 12 large radishes very thinly sliced
1 Tbsp chopped red onion plus 1/2 cup thinly sliced [soak cut onions to dilute their intensity]
1 Tbsp lemon juice plus 2 tsp lemon juice
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt [kosher recommended] and pepper to taste
1 medium fennel bulb, quartered and sliced [leave out if you dont like fennel]
3 cups packed arugula
1/4 cup coarsely chopped mint

Cut peel away from oranges and slice the fruit and set aside.

Combine chopped radishes, chopped red onion, lemon juice in small bowl. Let stand 5 mins..
Whisk in olive oil. Season to taste with Salt and pepper.

Combine orange slices, radish slices, onion slices, fennel slices, arugula leaves and chopped mint in salad bowl. Sprinkle with salt to taste.
Drizzle Dressing over salad and toss to coat thoroughly.

Adapted from Bon Appetit. Serves 6 as a first course.

Molly and Laura

2011-04-21T17:21:00.002-04:00

We are ecstatic over the arrival of spring and celebrate the change in seasons with one more "winter market" this Saturday, April 23. Hours will be 10am - 12noon.

Future forward: the market will be open next Saturday, April 30 as well.

And the Opening Day Celebration will take place on May 7th with full season hours: 9am - 1pm

We have an enlarging number of farmers participating as the weather warms and therefore crops begin to be available. Take note in the following list there will be fresh spring greens available!

Coming this weekend:

* Amaranth Gluten-free Bakery
* Birchrun Hills - aged cheeses, beef and veal from grassfed cows.
* Canter Hill Farm - look for spring lamb and spring produce!
* Davidson Exotics - cremini and portabello, oyster, shiitake mushrooms
* Herbal Springs Farmstead - eggs from pastured chickens; beef from grassfed cows; homebaked wholegrain breads, scones, whoopie pies, assorted pies; plants including perennials, herb starters, bedding, and native plants.
* John & Kira's Chocolates
* Philly Fair Trade Roasters/Market Day Canele - Philadelphia-roasted fair-trade coffee, Bordeaux pastry
* Shellbark Hollow Farm - chevre, chevres marinated in olive oil and herbs, spreads in many flavors, fresh cheese 'nested' in sundried tomatoes + pesto or in 'biscuit' form with honey, aged tomme, yogurt, kefir, milk.
* Two Gander - salad greens (arugula, spinach, salad mix, baby kale), radishes, garlic scallions, crimini and oyster mushrooms, turnips, honey.
* Wild Flour Bakery - all the usual varieties of bread, plus challah loaves with Easter Eggs, maple sausage scones, and maybe flatbreads.

We hope to see you in Bryn Mawr on Saturday!

Molly and Laura

Farmers Market this Saturday ... and More Local Events

2011-03-21T12:46:00.002-04:00

The Bryn Mawr Farmers Market will be open this Saturday from 10 am - 12 pm - come join us and celebrate this first week of spring! Participating farmers include Birchrun Hills Farm (cheese, pork and veal), Canter Hill Farm (eggs & poultry), Davidson Exotics (mushrooms), Philly Fair Trade Roasters (coffee beans), Two Gander Farm (early greens, potatoes, mushrooms, honey), Wild Flour bakery (European style baked goods), Amaranth Gluten-Free Bakery and John & Kira's Chocolates.

Also happening this week - a guided tasting of handmade local cheeses and old world wines, this Wednesday the 23rd at 7 pm at the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College. Reservations are required, click here for event details.

And mark your calendars for the return of Ardmore's Clover Market ! Our own local vintage marketplace opens its spring season on Sunday, April 10th, from 10 am - 4 pm.

Eggs are of course one of the classic images of spring, and sadly suffered a bad rep for years. Nutritionists have now begun touting their healthful benefits, and several of our farmers offer wonderful, fresh, free-range eggs. Easy to prepare, low in calories, high in protein, a natural source of vitamin D, lutein (for your eyesight), and omega 3's, eggs can definitely be enjoyed. Martha Stewart presented the sweetest recipe last year - coddled eggs in a teacup. Your kids will love the presentation and you will too! Or try this leek, potato and parmesan frittata - delicious for brunch or pair with a salad for a simple vegetarian dinner.

Our planning for the regular weekly market season is underway - please let us know if you are involved with a Lower Merion non-profit organization that might like to be featured with a table at the market.

Hope to see you on Saturday!

2011-02-25T09:50:00.002-05:00

The Bryn Mawr Farmers Market "Winter Market" is open this weekend - like all 4th Saturdays through April.

Come join your neighbors and shop for local items between 10am and 12 noon.

This week our participating vendors include:

Amaranth Gluten-free BakeryAndyB Confections
Birchrun Hills Farm
Canter Hill Farm
Davidson Exotics
Frecon Farms
Joe Coffee (now Philly Fair Trade Roasters)
J&K Chocolates
Two Gander Farm
Wild Flour Bakery

Spring is just around the corner, but there's still time to enjoy the coziness of winter indoors: relax with a good book, by a warm fire, and relish in the lingering cold and quieter weekends with family and friends. February and March are perfect months in which to cook something slowly. We are therefore sharing a recipe for a wonderfully rich, slow cooked pasta dish - we recommend using Davidsons Exotic Mushrooms and buying a crusty loaf of your favorite Bryn Mawr Farmers Market bread to complete this hearty meal. And a starter sized portion of this pasta would also be nice accompanied by a braised meat or chicken again from one of our fabulous market vendors. Top it off with local chocolates for dessert and a cup of Joe's coffee and you've done well!

Wild Mushroom Ragout with Ziti
adapted from Heart of the Artichoke and other kitchen journeys
by David Tanis
Serves 4 - 8 depending on portion sizes

1/4 - 1/3 cup olive oil [start with 1/4 cup and add remainder if dish seems dry]
1 large onion, finely diced
Salt and pepper
2 pounds wild or cultivated mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
3 garlic cloves, mashed to a paste with salt or finely chopped
1 tsp chopped thyme
2 tsps sage
1/2 tsp - 1 tsp red pepper flakes [to taste]
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 Tbsp flour
2 cups homemade or purchased vegetable, or mushroom, or chicken stock, warmed

1 pound long ziti [or your favorite pasta or perhaps brown rice or even polenta!]
2 Tbsp olive oil or butter
2 garlic cloves
Salt and pepper
2 Tbsp chopped parsley [optional]

To prepare ragout, in a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp of the olive oil over high heat. Add onion and cook stirring until it begins to brown. Lower heat to medium, season with S and P, and stir until carmelized approx 5 mins.. Remove onion to small bowl. Return pan to heat, add remaining 2 Tbsp olive oil and turn heat to high. Add mushrooms, stirring well to coat with oil. Keep heat high and saute mushrooms until they brown lightly. If Juices accumulate in pan pour them off and reserve. Season mushrooms with S and P, add spices above and stir well. Reduce heat to medium, add carmelized onion and tomato paste, and stir well to coat mushrooms and to dry mixture slightly. Cook for another 2 mins, stirring. Sprinkle flour over mixture and stir it in. Warm broth of your choice by heating for 1 minute in microwave. Ladle in 1 cup of hot broth, stirring well as mixture thickens. Repeat with 2nd cup of broth and cook for 5 minutes. If thin, cook for another 5 mins. If thick, add more broth and/or more olive oil. Taste for seasoning.

This recipe may be prepared ahead and freezes nicely.

Serve with pasta or another starch from our list above, or use your creative powers, even a baked potato would be a nice base for this ragout!

If you're following our standard recipe and serving with pasta, cook pasta as directed on package. If desired, mix drained pasta with warmed garlic and olive oil/butter as per ingredients list. Then add ragout and mix to combine.

Enjoy!

Laura and Molly

2011-01-20T12:55:00.002-05:00

The Bryn Mawr Farmers Market "Winter Market" is open this weekend - like all 4th Saturdays through April we're open with shorter hours 10am - 12noon with plently of delicious items on offer from our usual vendors.

Brave the cold and come out to see your neighbors while you purchase delicious local produce, meats and products from our vendors. Bring home a winter's bounty of ingredients for your cozy weekend meal and stock up on items for the week and the month.

We especially love making stews at this time of year and find a recipe from the new Spanish cookbook "The Book of Tapas" by Simone and Ines Ortega offers a delectibly different rendition of mom's veal stew:

White Rice With Veal [serves 6 - 8]

31/4 - 41/2 lb breast of veal
2 carrots, thickly sliced
1 onion, studded with clove [optional]
1 bay leaf
3/4 cup white wine
21/2 cups long grain rice
1/3 cup butter
2 Tbsp all purpose flour
2 egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/4 tsp meat extract [or stock cube concentrate]
1 tsp chopped parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Put veal in a large pan or casserole, pour in enough water to cover and add a pinch of salt. Add the carrots, onion, bay leaf and white wine. Cover and bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hrs, until veal is tender. While veal is cooking, skim off the froth that rises to the surface.

Meanwhile, cook the rice separately as per your preferred method until just tender and run under cold water. Drain well and put aside. Lift the veal out of pan and carve the meat. Put the meat in a dish and ladle some of the stock over it to keep warm. Strain and reserve the remaining stock.

To make the sauce, melt half of butter with the oil in a pan over medium heat and gradually stir in the flour stirring constantly for 2 mins.. Stir in 3 cups of reserved stock and cook, whisking to prevent lumps forming. Gradually stir in a little of the stock into the egg yolks in a bowl taking care that the yolks do not curdle. Add to the sauce together with meat extract and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the veal meat and keep sauce warm but do not allow it to cook further. Melt the remaining butter in another pan. Add the rice, season with salt and heat through, stirring with a wooden spoon. Spoon the rice onto a platter and then spoon the veal on top of the rice in the center of the plate. Serve immediately with more of the sauce on the side.

For a breakfast treat on Sunday or for a nice light meal with a salad, try using your market purchases for a Vegetable Tortilla [4 hearty portions] :

4 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 green and 1 red bell pepper each, chopped
1 eggplant, chopped [optional]
1 zucchini, diced
2 tomatoes, diced
8 eggs
salt and pepper to taste

Heat the oil in a skillet over low heat. Add onion and fry for 4 mins on low heat adding remaining vegetables as onions become transulcent. When vegetables are browned add tomatoes and cook until liquid evaporates and the mixture has thickened.

Beat the eggs with a pinch of salt in a large bowl. Increase the heat under the vegetables. Tip in the egg mixture and cook, shaking gently until egg becomes set and lightly brown on the underside. Invert the tortilla onto a place and then return it to the pan cooked side up. Cook, Gently shaking the skillet occasionally, until the underside is set and golden brown. Serve immediately or reserve and serve at room temperature cut into wedges with a side salad.

Happy winter cooking!

Laura and Molly

Two more Producers for Saturday!

2010-12-17T20:09:00.002-05:00

Hello again - apologies for the second e-mail, but we have another farmer and producer joining us at the market today. Frecon Farms will be bringing us apples, apple cider and applesauce. Amaranth Bakery will have their assortment of gluten-free baked goods.

Hope to see you later this morning, the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market will be open from 10-noon!

Winter Market on Saturday, 10 am - noon!

2010-12-16T20:31:00.002-05:00

Yes the first dusting of snow is on the ground - and yet we will have a plentiful Winter Market this Saturday, December 18 from 10 am til noon. Come by and pick up some delicious, locally-grown and produced food items sure to complete your special holiday meal.

Our Winter Farm Markets will continue once a month throughout the season - mark you calendars now! Upcoming market days will be January 22, February 26, March 26 and April 23.

Farmers and producers participating this Saturday include:

Birchrun Hills Farm - cheeses, bacon, sausages, veal chops, veal scallopine, pork chops

Canter Hills Farm -pastured eggs, chicken stock (the BEST), pastured chickens, guinea hens, fresh (never frozen) muscovy duck, lamb, potatoes, onions, garlic, butternut squash

Davidsons Exotics - mushrooms galore!

Herbal Springs Farmstand - jams, vinegars, baked goods, narcissus, all natural beef

John & Kira's Chocolates - gourmet artisan chocolates - terrific hostess gifts

Shellbark Hollow Farm - goat cheeses, goat milk, goat kefir

WildFlour Bakery - European-style breads and baked goods

Chef Jacquie - Will provide a demo of easy dishes utilizing products from the market

Note: While neither AndyB nor Two Gander Farm are able to participate this Saturday, both are expected to take part in our future Winter Market dates. AndyB is busy preparing custom orders for the holidays, while the folks at Two Gander became proud parents this week! Our congratulations to the family.

Bundle up and we hope to see you on Saturday for a festive Winter Market. And all of us at the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market wish you and your family a delicious holiday and a healthy New Year.

Next Market Date - December 18

2010-11-25T15:02:00.003-05:00

We hope you enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends. As I type I have two turkeys from Canter Hill Farm cooking away, one in the oven and one in the deep fryer! We will also be enjoying one of Andy B's walnut pies and yukon gold potatoes from Livengood's. We are grateful to be able to include local foods on our Thanksgiving table.

After our busy summer and fall season, our farmers are taking a rest and so we have updated information regarding our winter market dates. The Bryn Mawr Farmers Market will next be open on Saturday, December 18. We will have shorter hours due to the colder weather, and so will be open from 10 am - noon.

You can expect another update with the list of participating farmers on December 18th, most of your favorites will be participating. And we will keep you posted with the monthly dates through the winter as well.

Have a happy holiday weekend, and we'll see you in a few weeks!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-19T21:37:00.004-05:00

The Bryn Mawr Farmers Market will be open for another full month of Saturdays, until December 18th. Its getting chilly of course, so bundle up and enjoy outdoor market shopping in the crisp air. Come by tomorrow and pick up some items to make your Thanksgiving extra-special this year. John & Kira's Chocolates or artisan cheeses from Shellbark Hollow and Birchrun Hills make beautiful hostess gifts. Pick up some fresh eggs and sausages for your holiday breakfasts, or delicious desserts and baked goods from AndyB and Wild Flour Bakery. Livengood's Produce and Wimer's Organics will have plenty of fresh produce and salad greens to round out your meals. Hails Family Farm provides the freshest milk you'll ever taste.

And did you know we have fair trade coffee beans available? Check out Roasted by Joe, who shares space with Wild Flour Bakery. Now, the coffee isn't grown locally (obviously), but it is locally-roasted, fair trade and comes from importers who specialize exclusively in organic, bird-friendly, sustainable sources. All of the beans are specialty-grade with minimal packaging. And best of all, this coffee is simply amazing. My Starbucks-addicted and very skeptical husband has been converted. Joe often has a thermos with samples available, we hope you'll give it a try.

The farmers, producers, and bakers all thank you for your support which has enabled the market to stay open til the end of the year! See you on Saturday, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Recipe ideas - What's In Season in November

2010-11-10T19:11:00.003-05:00

Cold nights make cooking over a warm stove or oven a real pleasure. We hope you enjoy these recipe ideas taking advantage of available produce and other items (poultry, cheeses, eggs, etc)from the farmers market - some might even make it to your Thanksgiving table. Click on the dish for the weblink to the recipe.

And do you have a favorite fall recipe from the farmers market? Post it on our Facebook page to share!

Roasted Chicken from Canter Hill Farm

Butternut Squash Lasagne (make a day ahead and impress your guests!)

Honey-Mustard Pork Roast from Birchrun Hills Farm

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Butternut Squash and Apple soup (make it a day ahead for a delicious simple Thanksgiving lunch or appetizer)

Celery Root and Apple puree

Leek, Bacon and Gruyere Crustless Quiche

Roasted Potatoes, Carrots, Parsnips and Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Cauliflower

Apple Pie

Baked French Toast

Happy cooking - and we'll see you on Saturday!

Fall Eating and Winter Planning

2010-11-05T20:11:00.002-04:00

With three more official Saturdays of the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market, and we still have loads of delicious, fresh local food and market extras to enjoy. And while we continue to eat our way though fall (yikes!), we are planning away for the winter. Read on to hear more!

First off, as the temperatures drop our thoughts turn to winter ... and how we can continue to offer the farmers market throughout the coldest season. As you are no doubt aware, so many of our farmers and producers are able to provide their products in winter, for example, dairy products, cheeses, baked goods, poultry, eggs, meats, artisinal chocolates, and yes, even some produce. We are working with the Township to continue the market on a weekly schedule through December, and then once a month or so during the winter. We think meeting up with neighbors at a snowy market, with hot apple cider and warm baked goods might be supremely enjoyable! Hey, they do it in other cold places, why not here? Stay tuned for more announcements on our winter planning.

Another way for you to continue enjoying local foods (and avoid outdoor shopping in the cold) is through Farm to City's Winter Harvest program, and the pick-up location is conveniently located at the Baldwin School. Through this program, customers place their orders on a weekly basis, with pick-ups on Thursdays from 4-6 pm. The Winter Harvest program takes full advantage of the extensive network of farmers who partner with Farm to City, and over 500 food items are available for order. Note that there is no minimum purchase, and you do not have to order every week. Click here to apply!

Coming tomorrow, guest Chef Jacquie will lead an 11 am tour of the farmers market and give tips for cooking with the available foods. Specializing in Italian dishes, Jacqueline Peccina-Kelly is a professionally-trained chef who creates culinary travel experiences for her clients. Welcome Chef Jacquie!

Also tomorrow, our baker extraordinaire AndyB will bring a medley of fall-flavored desserts. He is now taking Thanksgiving dessert orders to simplify your entertaining, and will offer the following pies both tomorrow and for Thanksgiving: Autumn Apple, Caramel Apple, Thanksgiving Pumpkin, Sour Cream Pumpkin, Pecan, and Fruits of the Forest Mixed Nut. In addition, he will have two unique seasonal desserts tomorrow, here is his description:

Quince Galette - Quince has a flavor that is somewhere between an apple and a pear but in the end with a distinct flavor all its own. Its tart bite is mellowed and warmed when poached with cinnamon sticks, cardamom, ginger and orange peel. When baked this fruit goes form pale and pasty white to a fragrant, rich rosy red. We add thick apple chunks to the mix and wrap it in a rectangle of our flaky pie dough. A glaze of quince jelly shines the top that is sprinkled with chopped pistachios.
Pears with Vanilla Custard and Bittersweet Chocolate - Fiorelle pears are sliced to hold their shape and placed on a layer of chopped bittersweet chocolate in our shortbread Pate Sable crust. A vanilla custard is poured on top, then sprinkled with vanilla sugar and baked to a golden brown. This tart is creamy and surprisingly not too sweet. It is best served heated when the chocolate is warm and gooey.

Dress warmly, and we hope to see you on Saturday!

A Healthy Harvest

2010-10-29T16:10:00.003-04:00

We love fall fruits, and Frecon Farms has been offering the most beautiful apples and pears the past few weeks. In addition to being delicious, and one of the easiest snacks ever, scientists are increasingly learning more about the health benefits of apples. This month's Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter states "While it's been well-established that increased fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with decreased risk of many diseases, research is now exploring the specific mechanisms behind the apple's protective effects. Apples are high in phenolic acids and flavonoid compounds - phytonutrients that may protect against cell and DNA damage ... In the laboratory, these compounds have been found to inhibit growth of cancer cells, decrease lipid oxidation and lower choleserol." And don't peel your apples - the peel is the source of the phytonutrients as well as much of the fiber!

Apples and pears add a sweet crunch to salads, and are delicious with a grilled cheese sandwich on a nutty, whole-grain bread. And of course, they are always tasty baked into desserts, muffins and the like. If you are not a baker, our own AndyB will do the work for you! He will be at the market tomorrow with a full line-up of fall treats featuring apples, pears and pumpkin.

With November around the corner our thoughts turn to a favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. Try making your Thanksgiving celebration more sustainable this year by incorporating local foods from the farmers' market, such as potatos, sweet potatos, butternut squash, brussel sprouts, onions, pumpkins, breads, desserts, lettuces, cheeses and apples. And most importantly - the turkey! Both Canter Hill Farm and Livengood's are taking orders for locally-raised, organic turkeys. Get your order in now to ensure you'll have the best tasting turkey ever for your family to enjoy.

The Bryn Mawr Farmers Market will continue to be open through November 20th. We'll see you on Saturday!

Free Classes with Steve Poses on October 23!

2010-10-22T20:57:00.002-04:00

Attention all foodies!! Steve Poses, longtime Philadelphia restauranteur and caterer, will make a guest appearance at the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market this Saturday. He will help us get ready for the coming holiday season with a series of short (and free!) "classes" beginning at 10:00 am and running through 12:30 or so. He will share how he has translated his caterer's approach -- Steve has catered more than 15,000 events over nearly 40 years -- into methods sure to simplify your home entertaining. In between classes Steve will be available to answer questions and sign his new book, At Home by Steve Poses: A Caterer's Guide to Cooking & Entertaining. He will have copies of the book available for sale, it is also available online from his website.

Here is Steve's class schedule:

10:00 Making applesauce with Frecon Farms apples

10:30 Planning & Worksheets to simplify home entertaining

11:00 Setting Up to Prep and Cook

11:30 How to Chop an Onion

12:00 Setting up to bus plates and clean-up

And speaking of the holidays, the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market continues to be open each Saturday, from 9 am - 1 pm, until November 20th. Come to the market in November for your Thanksgiving needs, our farmers have the full fall bounty for your family to enjoy.

And lastly - we are considering opening the market in a more limited fashion throughout the winter season, perhaps on one Saturday per month. Do let us know if this is something you would enjoy, your feedback would greatly assist our planning efforts. You can reach us through Farm to City, joanna@farmtocity.org.

Thanks for your continued support and we'll see you on Saturday!

From Our Bryn Mawr Farmers' Market to Table: A Guest Blog

2010-10-13T19:58:00.027-04:00

We are so thrilled to share with you a guest message by Steve Poses, self-described home entertaining coach, who writes about his summer visiting farmstands as well as his trip to our market last Saturday and subsequent meals. Steve is a longtime Philadelphia restaurateur and caterer. His Frog Commissary Cookbook, celebrating 25 years in print, is the largest selling cookbook in the history of our region. Steve has recently published a new book -- At Home by Steve Poses: A Caterer's Guide to Cooking & Entertaining, available online from his website – athomebysteveposes.com. Steve's wonderful message follows below - enjoy!

Don't miss the market this weekend, we'll have crafts from the Handwork Studio for the kids to enjoy while you shop. We'll see you at the market this Saturday!

by Steve Poses:

The summer of 2010 was my summer of farm stands. Beginning in June, I visited farm stands stretching from the western edge of Lancaster country to the eastern tip of Long Island and from the southern reaches of Salem County to the northern reaches of the Hudson River Valley. A week in Nova Scotia included the behemoth Halifax Farmers' Market -- established in 1750 and the longest running market in North America, and the wonderful community market in Lunenburg. It is hard to imagine anyone who has recently spent more time looking at tables laden with the bounty of our farms.

Each week I wrote about these trips for my At Home blog. I began with a photo-laden post called On the Road. The final photo being my home kitchen counter filled with the day’s purchases. This post would be followed up with On the Table, a look at what happened to all that good stuff as it made its way to friends and family. Often a third post would include a recipe. The entire series – with some installments still in the works – are on my blog that also includes over 100 recipes. By subscribing you can be sure to get these posts as well as regular posts about home entertaining.

Why am I doing this? From the outset of my career in 1973, food has largely been a vehicle around which I have sought to bring people together. As I note in the Introduction to At Home: “… I believe in the value of human connection. And there is no better way to make that connection than sharing the warmth of your home and a good meal.” I am concerned that many people have given up on home entertaining because they just don’t have the time, and our Martha Stewart-inspired “foodie culture” has raised the bar too high. As a self-identified Home Entertaining Coach, my goal is to change how you think about and go about home entertaining – that home entertaining can be a pleasure and not a chore.

My point in doing this Farm Stand series is to encourage, inspire and guide people in bringing the bounty of our local farms and food artisans into our homes and sharing.

In preparation for my upcoming appearance at your Bryn Mawr Farmers' Market, I visited this past Saturday.

You have a wonderfully complete market with providers aplenty to satisfy the most ambitious locavore.

My purchases included heirloom tomatoes, hardneck garlic, celery root, thyme, boneless pork shoulder, chicken legs and thighs, beets, whole chicken, oak leaf lettuce, lima beans, peanut potatoes, corn, cherry tomatoes, banana peppers, onions, okra, sharp chevre

To Table

Over the course of the past five days I turned my Bryn Mawr bounty into a series of dinners that have included:

Heirloom tomato salad (Sunday)

Oak leaf lettuce with roasted beets with sharp chevre (Sunday)

Salt roast whole chicken with lightly roasted cherry tomatoes (Tuesday)

Roasted chicken breast and thigh with fingerling potatoes (Sunday)

Roasted peanut potatoes (Tuesday)

Celery root remoulade (Sunday)

Slow roasted pork shoulder with onions, garlic & thyme and apple cider (Wednesday)

Corn, pepper & lima bean salad (Sunday)

Pickled okra (Sunday)

Pictured above was Sunday night's dinner: Roast chicken legs and thighs with fingerling potatoes, pickled okra, roasted beets, celery root remoulade, corn, pepper and lima bean salad.

There is a recipe for Easy Pickles on my blog and it works for everything from traditional cucumbers to okra and watermelon radishes. The beets were oven-roasted in foil, peeled, sliced with a little added red onion, red wine vinegar and olive oil. The celery root remoulade was a matter of peeling and shredding celery root and carrots -- I use an inexpensive plastic mandolin - and combined with mayonnaise seasoned with a little mustard and horseradish. Finally, for the corn salad, the corn was blanched and scraped from the cob and combined with blanched lima beans, some diced sweet and hot peppers, scallion, red onion and cilantro. It was dressed with rice vinegar and olive oil, salt and pepper.

Here's the chicken and potatoes ready to roast. Quick and easy.

With a little oak leaf lettuce as background it all looked and tasted delicious.

On Wednesday I slow-roasted a my boneless pork shoulder with onions, garlic, apple cider and some orange rind.

First I crushed some coriander and fennel seed, peppercorns and salt, coated the roast and seared it in the Dutch oven. I removed the seared roast, cleaned out some charred bits of spices and lightly sauteed onion and celery, added back the roast on top, added apple cider, some orange peel, a few star anise, thyme and cilantro. It went into a 250 degree oven, lightly covered with a piece of foil -- not sealed -- and slow roasted for seven hours.

Here it is. I let it set about a half hour. While it was sitting I strained the cooking liquid - after fishing out some onion as a little "garnish" and reduced the liquid by half and poured it over the roast. Quite tasty and easy taking maybe a half hour of actual "effort."

My basic thesis is that home entertaining is a matter of aspiration and organization more than any particular culinary skill. If you plan ahead and spread your tasks over time -- "If you leave everything until the last minute you will only have a minute to do everything." -- you can be assured of having one relaxed hour prior to guest arrival. And when it's over, you will have the satisfaction of bringing friends and family together over a good meal.

I hope to see you on Saturday, October 23rd at the Bryn Mawr Farmers' Market so I can share more of my approach to home entertaining.

Steve
Your Home Entertaining Coach

Native Plants!

2010-10-08T21:22:00.001-04:00

The Lower Merion Conservancy will be back at the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market tomorrow with more of their beautiful native plants for sale. Native plants are more than just lovely, they thrive in our local soil and climate and many types also attract beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies. Many native shrubs offer fragrant blooms in the spring and as well as spectacular fall colors. The Conservancy will have a broad selection including spicebush, clethra, dwarf fothergilla, firepinks, turtlehead and more. Come and say hi to Patty Thompson and pick up a few choice native plants for your garden.

We hope to see you for what is sure to be a beautiful Saturday morning at the farmers market!

Quick Update

2010-10-01T17:15:00.002-04:00

Just a quick note to let you know that neither Canter Hill Farm (poultry) nor Green Zebra (tomatoes) will be at the market tomorrow. A family conflict for Canter Hill and the storms this week wiped out Green Zebra's crop. The weather sure does impact the small farms. The remainder of our line-up will be present with their usual delicious offerings - come support our local farmers and enjoy the many flavors of fall!

Thanks for your understanding regarding the absences, and we'll see you on Saturday!

New Fall Hours! 9:00 am - 1:00 pm!

2010-09-10T19:29:00.003-04:00

You asked for it - you got it! The Bryn Mawr Farmers Market will now be open from 9 am - 1 pm, each Saturday until Thanksgiving. There are so many good things to enjoy at the market during the fall season - we hope the new hours give you a little more time to squeeze in a visit to the market each weekend.

And we are welcoming a new farmer to the market - Davidson Exotic Mushrooms! With a farm located in Kennett Square, John Davidson has been growing mushrooms for over 20 years. He specializes in Portabello, Crimini, Shiitake and Oyster mushrooms. We're sure they will add hearty flavor to your fall salads, roasts and the like. Or how about a Portobello Mushroom Lasagna or Cream of Wild Mushroom Soup - either would be perfect comfort food for a chilly evening.

With the on-set of cooler temperatures John & Kira's Chocolates has returned to the market with their delicious and beautiful chocolate boxes. And while our dessert baker AndyB has been away tending to personal matters, he'll be back on September 18th with all kinds of baked goodies celebrating the flavors of fall.

Lastly, we prepared mashed butternut squash this week that was simple and delicious - if you have not prepared butternut squash before it is so easy! Peel with your vegetable peeler, remove the seeds and cut into cubes. For mashing, toss with some melted butter, brown sugar, salt and pepper, and roast for about 40 minutes until soft, then mash. Or combine the cubed squash with potatoes and onions and roast as a simple hearty side dish. Just about all of our produce farmers will be offering butternut squash tomorrow and in the weeks to come, it is loaded with vitamin A and also a good source of vitamins C and E.

And (really lastly), Ardmore's Clover Market will kick off its fall season this Sunday from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. Check out their vintage goods and have fun!

We'll see you on Saturday!

Savory Sausage Sandwiches

2010-08-27T21:26:00.002-04:00

Just in time for fall's cooler weather, we are welcoming a hot new producer to the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market. Welcome Renaissance Sausage! Featuring hot sausage sandwiches, egg & sausage sandwiches for the morning bunch, as well as tasty sides, Renaissance Sausage expands the selection of prepared foods available at the market. Their debut was last week and our hungry mid-day customers happily indulged. And of course, the sausages are organic, and prepared from locally-raised meats. Rick Nichols wrote a wonderful article on Renaissance Sausage in last Sunday's Inquirer, check out his full review here.

Another new item at the market - apples! While we're not quite ready for the peaches to end, Frecon Farms was selling the first apples of the season last week. Come and enjoy the first taste of fall.

And lastly - Livengood's Produce had fresh shelled lima beans last week that were out of this world. These are not the mushy frozen limas your mother served, we're talking buttery, rich limas bursting with flavor. Give 'em a try, fresh lima beans are NEVER available at the supermarket and can only be found at a local farmers market.

We'll see you on Saturday!

Healthy Eating at the Farmers Market

2010-08-20T19:47:00.002-04:00

As news comes about an expansion of the egg recall (including an investigation of eggs sold in Pennsylvania), we are especially pleased to have several farmers at the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market who offer their fresh, local eggs. If you haven't tried them yet, this is the time. Canter Hill Farm, Two Gander Farm and Wimers Organics all have pastured eggs available that will surely be the best you've ever tasted, and you can ask the farmers any questions you may have about their eggs (can't do that at the grocery store). Buy a dozen and whip up a healthy scramble for your Sunday breakfast.

And speaking of health, the New York Times ran a piece a few weeks back detailing a "prescription produce" effort underway in Massachussets. Three health centers there have begun distributing coupons for the purchase of farmers' market produce to encourage a healthier diet. We love it! Check it out here.

Hope to see you at the market on Saturday for some healthy eating!

2010-07-23T18:55:00.004-04:00

Its the height of summer and the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market will burst with a bumper crop of produce this Saturday. Here are a few ideas for enjoying all that zucchini, those gorgeous Green Zebra tomatos, sweet corn and the like. Some recipes are fun, some are new, some are standby's ... we hope you'll find one to try. And with so much gorgeous produce available, we like to double our recipes and freeze a batch to enjoy later.

Prefer not to bake when its 100 degrees? AndyB will have his amazing assortment of desserts, including peach and sour cherry pie, nectarine and raspberry pie, plum galette, and his apricot and blueberry tart.

For the chocolate lovers - Chocolate Nut Zucchini Bread

For an easy summer veggie saute - Rainbow Chard with pine nuts, parmesan, and basil

For cheese lovers - Creamy Dandelion Greens and Goat Cheese Gratin ... Weimer's Organics has the dandelion greens, Shellbark Hollow the goat cheese. Comfort food at its best.

For gazpacho lovers - Golden Tomato Soup

For corn lovers - Summer Corn Chowder .... don't forget to use Canter Hill Farm's chicken stock for this! Their stock makes all the difference in your homemade soups and sauces.

For peach lovers - Peach Pie, Peach Ice Cream, Grilled Chicken With Peaches

Thank you all for your continued support of our local farmers, we hope to see you on Saturday!

Happy Independence Day

2010-07-01T21:29:00.002-04:00

In honor of Independence Day, we found some interesting information to share on Thomas Jefferson's famed gardens at Monticello. Jefferson grew 330 vegetable varieties in a 1000-foot long garden terrace. The siting of the garden along a massive stone wall enabled Jefferson to extend the growing season and create a microclimate for tender vegetables such as his favorite French artichokes. Jefferson also grew 31 species of fruit in an 8-acre "fruitery". Peaches and apples (for brandy and cider!) were planted amongst apricots, almonds and cherries. And, in proof that some things never change - the entire garden was surrounded by a 10-foot high deer fence. For more information see the Monticello website, or even better plan a visit.

The Bryn Mawr Farmers Market WILL BE OPEN this Saturday, July 3. We hope you'll come and visit - and we wish you a happy, healthy holiday. See you on Saturday!

Fresh and easy summer ideas

2010-06-25T12:56:00.003-04:00

When its this hot we all look to simple recipes, who wants to spend time in a hot kitchen? The wonderful Sunset magazine put together great ideas for using 14 popular farmers market produce items, such as tomatoes, peaches and corn. Click here for the article.

We are also loving this open-faced tomato sandwich recipe - the basil-mayo spread is amazing and the sandwich is especially delicious on a hearty whole grain bread. Add a simple tossed salad for the perfect easy and light summer meal.

One positive of this week's heat wave - the stone fruits such as peaches, apricots and nectarines are ripening like crazy and Frecon Farms expects an early harvest. We can't wait for those super-sweet donut peaches!

Hope to see you on Saturday!

Sweet Summer Saturdays

2010-06-11T19:15:00.005-04:00

Our Farmers Market Saturdays will now be even sweeter as fruit-growers Frecon Farms re-joins the market tomorrow, June 12. Welcome back Frecon Farms! Since 1944, the Frecon family has grown fruit on their 150-acre orchard in Berks County. A popular stand at the market last year, Frecon Farms will have fresh cherries and canned goods on Saturday, and additional tree fruits such as peaches, plums, nectarines and apples as the season progresses. Yum!

Need a new recipe idea for those cherries? We've closed our weekly message with an intriguing recipe for Hungarian Cherry Cake from Saveur Magazine - its really like a snacking cake - give it a try!

We are also thrilled to have a guest appearance this weekend by Bryn Mawr grower, Carolyn's Shade Gardens. Specializing in perennial flowering plants for part to full shade, Carolyn will bring her special hellebores, hard-to-find minature hostas, rare native wildflowers, flowering groundcovers, ferns, colorful native coral bells and more. If you have never had the opportunity to attend one of her open house sales, come on Saturday to see these high quality plants for yourself. We hope you find something special for your garden.

Here's the cake recipe, and we'll see you on Saturday.

Hungarian Cherry Cake adapted from Saveur

2 lbs pitted fresh sour cherries (if using sweet cherries reduce the added sugar)
1/4 cup flour
16 Tbsp unsalted softened butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup honey
3 Tbsp kirsch or brandy
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
2 1/4 cups flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup milk

Heat oven to 400. Butter and flour 13x8x1 baking sheet. Toss cherries in bowl with 1/4 cup flour and set aside. Sift together 2 cups flour, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl beat butter, sugar, honey, liqueurs and vanilla on medium speed until pale. Add egg and beat until well mixed. With mixer running add milk and flour mixture alternately beating on low speed until batter is fully mixed. Spoon onto prepared baking sheet and smooth evenly. Sprinkle cherries over top. Bake until cake is golden brown approximately 45 minutes. Let cool 30 minutes and cut into 12 squares.

The Dirty Dozen

2010-06-04T12:42:00.003-04:00

The Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organization committed to protecting public health and the enivornment, recently released their "Shopper's Dirty Dozen Guide" to pesticidies in produce. What produce do they recommend you buy only organic? Celery, peaches, strawberries, apples and blueberries among others. Click here for the full list, as well as for their list of the "Clean Fifteen" - produce containing the least amount of residual pesticide. And as a sidenote, their website is full of helpful information on how to avoid chemicals in our environment, with information on sunscreens, perfumes and the like. Check it out.

The Bryn Mawr Farmers Market continues to offer a wide variety of the tastiest, locally-grown organic produce around! In addition, the market offers organic milk and dairy products, eggs, local honey, locally-made baked goods, humanely-raised and free-range meats, and a variety of delicious cheeses. And starting next week, June 12, we'll have tree fruits (think cherries!) from Frecon Farms.

Congratulations to our friends in Bala Cynwyd on the sucessful opening of the Bala Cynwyd Farmers Market! Their market is open each Thursday from 3-7 at the GSB parking lot, corner of St. Asaph's and Belmont Roads. Other fun happenings around town - Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts continues this Saturday night, and the Clover Market in Ardmore will be open Sunday.

Have a great weekend and we hope to see you at the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market on Saturday!

Memorial Day weekend kick-off

2010-05-28T13:51:00.002-04:00

Get your holiday weekend started with a visit to the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market, we'll have what you need for the freshest, tastiest brunch or BBQ. Strawberries are nearing their peak and our farmers will again have loads of them for you to pick up. Grab some chicken to grill from Canter Hill Farm, we promise it will be the best chicken you've ever tasted. Or you can try the Hot Italian sausage from Birchrun Hills. Cheeses from Birchrun Hills, Shellbark Hollow, or Hails Family Dairy will make the ultimate gourmet cheeseburger or the perfect party appetizer.

AndyB will be back with a huge assortment of unbelievable baked goods for your brunch or dessert. He's bringing delights such as a Strawberry Curd Tart, Strawerry and Blueberry Galette, and a Summer Four Berry Pie. Don't miss his cookies in flavors such as Sweet N Salty Chocolate Chip, Lemony Citrus, and an espresso, malt & chococalte combo he calls the Malt Brew Chip. He'll also have some breakfast scones for your weekend mornings.

And if a friend is having you over for a meal, wouldn't a box of John & Kira's Chocolates make the perfect hostess gift? Or perhaps consider one of the herb vinegars from Herbal Springs Farmstand.

We hope you'll include a stop at the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market this Saturday. We'll be there from 10 am - 2 pm.

For more weekend activities and events on the Main Line, check out Main Line Neighbors!

What do strawberries and Peter Pan have in common?

2010-05-21T18:40:00.013-04:00

What do strawberries and Peter Pan have in common? Thanks to our friends at WolfPAC we'll have both tomorrow at the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market! At 10:15 or so WolfPAC's young performers will be presenting a preview of their upcoming spring musical, Peter Pan. Come and cheer them on! And beginning at 11:00, we'll be entertained by the dancers from the Indigenous Pitch Dance Collective, who also will be providing lemonade. The ever-creative Handwork Studio will be joining us once again with complimentary crafts projects for the kids. We hope you'll enjoy the lively atmosphere provided by and for our young friends.

Speaking of performances, the Bryn Mawr Twilight Concert series begins next week, May 29th, at 7 pm with music from Susan Werner. Pack a farmers' market picnic and enjoy wonderful music outdoors, right in Bryn Mawr. Click here for more information including upcoming performers.

And of course we're celebrating strawberry season - reaching its peak now. Livengood's and Herbal Springs Farmstand both offer the sweetest berries around, with organic berries available as well. Eat them plain, toss 'em in a salad, pair with your favorite cheese, combine with Hail's yogurt for a smoothie, cook them with rhubarb to make a crisp .... the possibilities are endless! See the recipe below for another fun way to use strawberries.

And finally on a more serious note - earlier this week NBC Nightly News aired an important segment reporting a possible link between pesticides and behavior disorders in children. Their recommendation - buy local, in-season produce, and wash it well. You can watch the clip here.

Note: Due to a family emergency, AndyB will not be with us tomorrow, he will be back on May 29th.

Hope to see you on Saturday!

Strawberry Crunch Snack (serves 1)

Adapted from The Top 100 Recipes for a Healthy Lunchbox by Nicola Graimes

1/2 cup oats

1 Tbsp granola (try AndyB's!)

1 Tbsp sunflower seeds (optional)

1Tbsp pumpkin seeds (optional)

1-2 Tbsp honey (try Two Gander Farm's)

7 Tbsp yogurt (try Hails Family Farm)

6 strawberries, sliced

Toast the oats in a skillet for 2 mins turning with a fork. Add the seeds and continue toasting on low heat until golden, about 2 minutes. Add granola and toast 30 seconds longer.

Remove to a bowl and add the honey, mix well. Sizzling sounds are ok!

Layer the yogurt on bottom of a tall clear glass, add berries, and layer granola. Repeat until all ingredients are used. Enjoy!

Free range chicken and the best desserts in town!

2010-05-14T14:56:00.010-04:00

This Saturday the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market welcomes back Canter Hill Farm, AndyB Confections and Green Zebra Farm - together this trio will have all the makings for an amazing spring dinner. Canter Hill will bring us their free-range poultry and eggs, from Green Zebra we'll have spring produce, and AndyB bakes the most delicious desserts in town. Click here to read more about Canter Hill Farm and its wonderful owners Jeanette and Wayne Grabe.

AndyB has been one busy baker. For the hungry morning crowd he'll have freshly baked cinnamon buns and scones as well as low-fat granola sweetened with honey and brown rice syrup. And for a special dessert take a look at his strawberry-rhubarb pie, blackberry curd tart with pistachio crust and chocolate ganache (yum), apricot tart and of course his signature cookies. We love you Andy!

For music-lovers, this Saturday Rebekah Wimer and Jessica Stoltzfus, violinists, will be performing a variety of classical and Celtic music. They are excited about this opportunity to share their music with the community - and note that Rebekah is the daughter of Bud Wimer of Wimer's Organics. If you know of a musician who'd like to perform at the market, please let us know.

We thank you all for making our opening day such a success last week - the farmers were thrilled and we hope you were too. The chefs at Bryn Mawr's Verdad restaurant came by and whipped up some complimentary samples of their french toast with strawberry compote - thank you Verdad! The Handwork Studio hosted a popular arts & crafts table which we'll have back on May 22 - thank you Handwork Studio! The Lower Merion Conservancy sold dozens of native plants and they'll be back this Saturday with more. We were particularly touched by the success of the animal adotions and hope to make that an on-going feature of the market. A huge thank you to our friends at Platoon Fitness for arranging the inflatable slide - it sure was a hit! And lastly, a shout out to our on-line media sponsor, Main Line Neighbors, sign-up for their e-newsletter for updates on all the happenings around town.

To see more opening day photos, visit our website at http://www.brynmawrfarmersmarket.com/. If you have any comments or suggestions for the market that's where to put 'em.

See you on Saturday!

Opening Day ... and a Mother's Day Recipe

2010-05-06T18:36:00.004-04:00

Opening Day is here! To tantalize your taste buds, here is a bit more information on the farmers/producers and what they will be bringing to the market this SATURDAY, MAY 8th. Don't forget that best selection is during the market's earlier hours, while the best deals come at the end of the day (last year there were some two for one specials for example just before closing at 2 pm).

At the market this weekend:

Wimer's Organics - eggs, snap peas, green beans, red beets, salad greens (lettuce, arugula, Wimer's spring mix), cooking greens (baby boc choy, swiss chard, dandelion, kale) radishes, cucumbers, herbs, potted plants

Livengood's Family Farm - strawberries, rhubarb, lettuce and salad greens, spring onions

Two Gander Farm - honey, Asian mix salad greens as well as spring mix, storage potatoes and sweet potatoes, plant seedlings, eggs

John & Kira's Chocolates - An assortment of their beautiful boxes of specialty chocolates. The perfect hostess gift!

ShellBark Hollow Farm - goat's milk food products including milk, yogurt and kefir, several varieties of chevre including their delicious honey biscuit chevre

Hails Family Farm - whole, lowfat and nonfat cow's milk, yogurt, cheeses

Birchrun Hills Farm - award-winning cheeses, beef and pork

Amaranth Bakery - gluten-free baked goods

Herbal Springs Farmstead - annuals and perennials, baked goods, jams & jellies, grassfed beef

Wild Flour Bakery - European style breads and baked goods

Lower Merion Conservancy - native plants

Starting at the market on May 15:

AndyB Confections - desserts and baked goods

Canter Hill Farm - eggs, poultry, produce. Did you see the lovely article on Canter Hill Farm in this week's Main Line Times?

Green Zebra Farm - produce

Starting at the market on June 12:

Frecon Farm - orchard fruit

Lastly, a special Mother's Day brunch for all you mom's. Happy Mother's Day! Click here for the Goat Cheese Souffle recipe featured in Alice Waters' The Art of Simple Food. Pair the souffle with your favorite produce for a springtime Farmers Market salad. And finish with a strawberry-rhubarb crisp!

And moms & dads - don't forget we'll have tons of complimentary fun on-hand for your little ones - a moon bounce, arts & crafts from the Hand Work Studio, hula-hoops, live music, face painting ... this is a celebration of food and community that the entire family will enjoy.

Hope to see you on Saturday!

The Buzz about Honey ... and the Market Line-Up for 2010

2010-04-30T13:30:00.010-04:00

As our May 8 opening date approaches we have another new farmer to tell you about - welcome Two Gander Farm, a Berks County apiary (beekeeper) and produce-grower. And our apologies for the long message here - but we want to provide you with the line-up of farmers and producers participating in the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market this year. Please do pass this message along, there are still so many people in the community who are not aware of the diversity of locally-grown and produced items available at the market.

Two Gander Farm specializes in artisan honey with four distinct varieties currently available. Their featured honey is a spring wildflower varietal produced in May and June from the pollen of black locust trees and the variety of flowers abundant in our region. Two Gander Farm also harvests a summer amber honey derived from summer blossoms - a fragrant and fruity honey that is perfect for baking. Those seeking a more robust and unusual flavor will enjoy the two types derived from the pollen of autumn-flowering plants - a fall wildflower honey and also a buckwheat honey. The heavy mineral content of these honeys is evident from their nearly-black color with subtle smokey and tangy flavors.

Two Gander also grows produce and will be bringing a bushel of spring greens on the 8th. Spinach, salad greens, spring onions, swiss chard, radishes, potatoes, and baby turnips will all be available for sale. We can't wait to sweeten our yogurt (from the Hails Family Farm of course) and smoothies with local honey from Two Gander. Those of you suffering from spring allergies may be interested to know that consuming local honey may possibly reduce your allergy symptoms - because of the local pollens that are collected by the bees. Let us know if its true!

And at long last, here is the market line-up. We are proud to announce that due to your support and patronage, we have doubled the number of vendors participating in the market! For those of you who asked for more, more, more - your wish has been granted!

AndyBConfections - Andy lives right here in Bryn Mawr and bakes cookies, pies and other desserts using local, seasonal ingredients. The Culinary Institute grad was a huge hit last year and we are so pleased he'll be back. He's also making granola for us - to go with our new yogurt and honey!

Birchrun Hills Farm - Birchrun Hills Farm is a Chester County dairy bringing a variety of award-winning cheeses to the market. Sue Miller has been farming for 20 years, and also offers delicious meat and pork products such as veal, rib chops, and sausages. Her animals are pastured and humanely-raised.

Canter Hill Farm - Malvern-based Canter Hill Farm is a poultry farm bringing us high quality chickens, eggs, and produce. If you are a soup-maker you must purchase Jeanette Grabe's homemade chicken stock - the best!

Frecon Farms - The Frecon Family has been growing fruit on their 150-acre orchard in Berks County since 1944. They will bring us a wide range of fruits, including cherries, raspberries, peaches, plums, apricots, apples and nectarines. Obviously, the fruit will be available when it is in season - no fruit flown in from Chile at this farmers market!

Green Zebra Farm - Mitch Shapiro grows a diversity of vegetables at his Glen Mills farm, specializing in heirloom tomato varieties (green zebra is a type of tomato - with green stripes!). He uses Integrated Pest Management, a multi-faceted approach to controlling pests and diseases that emphasizes sustainable methods of agriculture.

Hails Family Farm - A dairy from Wyalusing, PA, the Hails Family raises grass-fed Jersey cows and produces certified-organic, non-homogenized milk and other dairy products including yogurt and cheeses. Their milk comes in whole, lowfat and nonfat versions.

Herbal Springs Farmstand - A family farm from Lancaster County, Herbal Springs will be bringing garden annuals and perennials, herbs, vinegars, jams and baked goods. Our kids live for the whoopie pies.

John & Kira's Chocolates - Featured on the cover of Gourmet magazine, John & Kira's artisan chocolates are not to be missed. Produced in Philadelphia using a variety of local ingredients, their hand-made chcolates include flavors such as Garden Mint, Lavender Honey and Lemongrass (our favorite). John & Kira's will be with us during the cooler spring and fall months, alas they will not be at the market during the heat of summer due to the fragile nature of the chocolate.

Livengood's Family Farm - Earl Livengood and his family grow a vast variety of award-winning, certified-organic vegetables and produce on their 20 acres in Lancaster County. Earl's son Dwain raises pastured beef as well. Last year Earl brought bunches of peonies to our opening day - see the photo on the market website.

ShellBark Hollow Farm - ShellBark Hollow Farm maintains a herd of grassfed Nubian goats on three acres amid the developments in West Chester, from which they make goat cheese, yogurt and kefir. Their award-winning sharp chevre is served at restaurants in the area. Try the Honey Biscuit!

Two Gander Farm - As described above, honey, produce and eggs from Berks County.

Wild Flour Bakery - Wild Flour Bakery is an artisan bread and pastry bakery from Northeast Philadelphia. They bake baguettes and other breads, cracks and flatbreads with herbs and cheeses, croissants and additional baked goods. Their rolls are used for some of Philadelphia's finest sandwiches, including the acclaimed Rouge hamburger!

Wimer's Organics - Bud Wimer learned how to provide top quality organic produce while working for Paradise Organics, a standard-setting organic farm in Lancaster County. Since launching his own business in 2007, he has grown and provided that same top quality produce. Like Livengood's Produce, the quality and variety is simply outstanding. The vegetables from Wimer's Organics are grown at the Paradise farm and its sister farm in East Earl, PA where Bud is farm manager.

For our gluten-free friends - we are still awaiting confirmation from Amaranth Bakery but hope to hear next week that they will be joining us.

Come say hello to our farmers on Saturday, May 8th - we'll also have a complimentary moonbounce for the kids courtesy of our generous supporters, Platoon Fitness and BounceU. In addition - animal adoptions, native plants, arts & crafts, face painting, live music & more - its a real celebration as we launch the 2010 farmers market season.

Got Milk?

2010-04-23T14:11:00.002-04:00

Got milk? How about milk that is locally-produced, certified organic and from 100% grass-fed Jersey cows? How about milk that received the highest rating from the Cornucopia Institute, an organic industry watchdog? Where can one find such fabulous milk? At the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market, of course, opening on Saturday, May 8!

We are thrilled to welcome the Hails Family Farm, an organic dairy from Wyalusing, PA, to the market this year. The Hails Family produces such high-quality milk that calling it certified organic is really an understatement. Their milk is low-temperature pasteurized and non-homogenized, and comes in whole, 2% and non-fat. They also produce American-style yogurt (spoonable) and European-style yogurt (pourable). The European-style is higher in protein and easier to digest - so be sure to give it a try. Additionally, they will be selling a variety of cows-milk cheeses (both aged and fresh) such as cheddar, swiss, jack, cottage cheese and yogurt cheese. And finally, they'll have butter and eggs to boot!

The Bryn Mawr Farmers Market will truly be better than ever this season, and we're planning a blockbuster May 8th opening day celebration. Thanks to our generous sponsors, Bryn Mawr Trust and Blank Aschkenasy Properties, we are now able to provide some fun "extras" to enhance the market experience. Kids will love the moonbounce and arts & crafts, and Adam Web will be performing live music for all to enjoy. The Lower Merion Conservancy will be back with wonderful, hard-to-find, native plants for sale. We'll have animal adoptions and a beverage stand benefitting the Friends of Linwood Park. We sure hope you'll join us in welcoming our new farmers and welcoming back our returning farmers and producers.

This Sunday you can say hello to our market manager, Pat Broida, at Ardmore's Clover Market. Pat will have information on the market and samples from our dessert-baker, AndyB Confections. We want to thank Andy who is real gem for providing the samples, and congratulate the Clover Market on its smashing debut earlier this month. Check it out!

Coming up next week: another farm with a new product for the market, and the full line-up for 2010.

Join us on Facebook!

2010-04-12T15:03:00.004-04:00

As we gear up for the opening of the 2010 season (more on that to come), we have a new Facebook page out there for you Facebook-ers to follow. We promise to keep it updated with all the latest news from the market - what's in season, what's available, what's new. Join us on Facebook now and please tune in your friends to the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market.

And know anyone who'd like to earn a little extra pocket money? John & Kira's Chocolates is looking for someone to man their booth at the market each Saturday. The hours are from 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, the pay is $107/day. Interested folks can email support@johnandkiras.com with a letter or call 215-324-9222 to speak with John Doyle.

We're also searching for local musicians to add some ambience to the market experience. If you have a musical friend who might like to perform on a Saturday or two, please ask them to contact us.

And we know what you are wondering - when is opening day???? We think it will be May 8 but are awaiting confirmation from our farmers. Hopefully this lovely spring weather will continue! And we promise to announce the opening date with a bullhorn once its set! Coming up in next week's update - details on a new farmer joining us this year! (hint hint .... what does a cow say?)

Late Winter News

2010-02-28T09:28:00.006-05:00

Greetings! Thought we'd pass along a few tidbits of news ... even with the snow on the ground preparations have begun for the re-opening of the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market. We are delighted to announce that the Township has approved the renewal of our agreement for the 2010 market season. The Bryn Mawr Farmers Market will again be open on Saturdays, from 10 am - 2 pm in the large municipal parking lot on Lancaster Avenue between Ludington Library and the Bryn Mawr train station. The opening date has not yet been determined, it is dependent on the weather and when the first crop of strawberries can be expected. We will of course let you know when the date is set - but likely it will be a Saturday in mid to late May.

We have been on the lookout for a few new farmers and producers who might fill some gaps in the market offerings, visiting the PA Farm Show in Harrisburg and scouting out other markets. We are hopeful that a specialty producer or two will be joining us - this is still to be confirmed and we will announce with the opening date.

As you may recall, local community organizations such as the Lower Merion Conservancy, Main Line Animal Rescue, Friends of Ludington Library and Friends of Linwood Park participated in the market last year, offering information about their programs and raising funds. If you are involved in a locally-based organization and would like to participate in the market, please let us know as we'd love to have you there. Simply post a comment with your e-mail address and we'll get in touch.

Searching for something else fun to do in Lower Merion this spring? Don't miss the new Clover Market, opening Sunday, April 11 in Ardmore, and offering a real treasure trove of antiques and quality, flea-market finds. We know that organizer Janet Long is working hard to find some top-notch antique dealers and to bring another fun, open-air market to the community. We can't wait to check it out!

Lastly, the Inquirer ran a nice story with tips for finding and enjoying locally grown and produced food during the winter. It is linked here. We have been participating in Canter Hill Farm's winter program supplying dairy products, chicken and eggs - it has been wonderful! And when you are in Center City stop by the Fair Food Farmstand in Reading Terminal Market - lots and lots of delicious, locally-grown and produced food from a wide variety of local farmers is available there.

The End of a Fabulous First Year

2009-11-20T13:21:00.006-05:00

This Saturday, November 20th, will be our last Farmers Market day of the year. We hope you will come out to pick up the last of fall's bounty, and say goodbye to the farmers and producers who have worked hard for us throughout the season.

Thank you, Bryn Mawr and Lower Merion, for welcoming the market this year in such a big way. Thanks to the Township staff and commissioners for being so gracious, to the community non-profit organizations that have participated during various market days, and to our volunteers who have helped in all manner of various tasks. Thank you especially to Pat Broida for being an outstanding market manager, we are so lucky to have her. If you don't know Pat, that's her in the photo with Bob Pierson, the Executive Director of Farm to City, and her husband, David.

Thank you Farm to City for introducing wonderful, thoughtful farmers and producers to Bryn Mawr and for being such a terrific partner. Don't forget you can still sign-up for Farm to City's Winter Harvest program, which started this week.

We would love your input and suggestions for strengthening the market, are their food items that you'd like to see? For example would you like more prepared foods? Flowers? Let us know!

Hope to see you tomorrow, and we'll be back in spring of 2010!

Best,

Laura Shell & Molly Rouse Terlevich

Last Two Weeks!

2009-11-12T17:11:00.002-05:00

Yep thats right - only two more Saturdays two enjoy the fresh offerings at the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market, and then we shut down for the winter. Even with the cooler temperatures there is still plenty of delicious local food available. And, our farmers and producers have just what you need for the perfect Thanksgiving meal: potatoes, sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, greens, butternut squash, cauliflower and more. Livengood's and Canter Hill Farms have been taking orders for fresh turkeys. The pie selection from AndyB and Wild Flour Bakery is absolutely mouthwatering! AndyB will be baking traditional classics such as pumpkin, apple, and pecan (and offering a few twists as well), while Wild Flour Bakery is whipping up a sweet potato applesauce pie, an apple pie with brandy, a bourbon pecan pie, and a few cheesecakes too.

Our cheeses make perfect appetizers - we especially like the new chevre with cranberries and walnuts from Shellbark Hollow. Throw some Birchrun Hills sausages on the grill and pair with fresh eggs for the perfect holiday weekend breakfast. And perhaps you'd like to pick up some hostess gifts from John & Kira's Chocolates?

Lastly, consider trying Farm to City's Winter Harvest program to support local farmers and enjoy local food throughout the winter. There will be a pick-up site at the Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr (thank you Baldwin!). Canter Hill Farms will have their own winter CSA program featuring their poultry and eggs, as well as a program featuring raw milk and other dairy products from their cow, Oreo. Its got to be good to know the name of the cow your milk comes from, yes?

See you on Saturday!

Halloween Treats!

2009-10-30T16:52:00.002-04:00

Andy B has been a busy baker this week - take a look at the clever list below of Halloween treats he's baked for tomorrow's market day. Hope to see you and a bit of sunshine this Saturday!

Vampire Pie
Blood-red raspberries and cranberries mixed at midnight with a BITE of lemon and ginger
laying on a layer of lemon curd - all in a dark chocolate crust. Darkly delicious, this tart
will satisfy the most intense cravings when the sun goes down.

Funeral Pie
An authentic Amish pie made for funerals using raisins because they were available year
round. This version is made with raisins soaked in Kirsch with dried cherries and walnuts.
Like a mincemeat pie, but with a brighter and fruitier flavor. One piece of this pie and
you can surely RIP.

Mummy's Tomb Tart
From an ancient recipe found on the walls of a tomb in Egypt - well, no, not really. Apples
and cherries sit on a layer of hazelnut cream cheese and then are wrapped in strips of
cream cheese crust. The tart is brushed with a lemon glaze. This is great for breakfast
as well as a dessert, but unlike its namesake, it will not last forever.

Pumpkin Patch Pie
From a recipe given to me by The Great Pumpkin himself, this is a rich and not-so-classic
custard pie with a light cream and pumpkin base flavored with cinnamon, ginger and
nutmeg in our signature flaky pie crust. It is traditional to have a piece of this pie
sitting in a pumpkin patch at midnight waiting for The Great Pumpkin. I hope you
see him!

Caramel Apple Pie
What is more traditional at Halloween than a trip to the Carnival and a ride through the
Fun House eating a caramel apple? Well, we capture this flavor in a pie. Tart, crisp
apples are contrasted with chunks of sweet creamy caramel in a flaky pie crust. The
top is sprinkled with a streusel of butter, flour, brown sugar and salted peanuts. The
overall effect is just like the real thing - delicious.

Red Grape Tart
Red grapes are slashed in half and sit in almond frangipane flavored with red wine on
a lemon pasta frolla crust. The tart is sprinkled with sliced almonds and drizzled with
red wine caramel. This should ward off any ghosts or goblins unless you want to ask
them to join you in a slice!

Maple Cream Hand Pies
There is nothing creepy here - just the most delicious maple custard that you have ever
tasted. We use Grade B maple syrup, more intense and smoky than regular table grade,
to flavor this custard and use a shortbread cookie-like crust. This has all the flavor of
autumn in a few bites.

Pumpkin Patch Hand Pies
An individual size of pumpkin pie, this is great for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and will
satisfy that craving when you want "just a little pie". It also keeps well in a knap sack
at midnight in the pumpkin patch or cemetery.

AAAaaaaaaaaarrrrrgggggggggggg!!!! It's HERE!!! WHAT IS IT?????????????
Bittersweet, semi-sweet, milk and white chocolate chips with a wince of fresh
cranberries and mellow cocoanut in a lump of a cookie. Be careful, this one creeps
up on you when you least expect it.

Another rainy Saturday? Really?

2009-10-23T14:54:00.005-04:00

How is it possible that we are due to have yet another rain day on Saturday? Thank you to all the supporters who made it to the market during the rain last week, as you can see from the photos the market is still fun despite the weather! We hope to see you again tomorrow, there are still so many wonderful goodies available at the market. Did you know Canter Hill Farms makes the ultimate base for soups - homemade chicken stock (stock, not broth) that simmers on the stove for FOUR DAYS? Livengood's Produce and Wimers Organics are both still offering a beautiful selection of produce. Frecon Farms is bursting with apples and pears. And of course the cheeses and meats and poultry from Shellbark Hollow, Birchrun Hills and Canter Hill are the best around. Our bakers will be back with a full line-up delicious breads and baked goods. Bring your umbrella and come see us!

The Bryn Mawr Farmers Market will remain open each Saturday through November 21, and then unfortunately we must close-up for the winter. But don't despair - Farm to City operates an extensive Winter Harvest program that allows you to enjoy locally grown and produced food all winter long. You can sign-up for the program here (after you click on the link, go to Buying Clubs, Philadelphia Winter harvest). Once you are a member, you can order once every two weeks for weekly deliveries that are picked up locally. Farm to City is finalizing pick-up locations in Lower Merion, including one in Bryn Mawr. We hope you'll give it a try!

Cozy Ideas for a Chilly Weekend

2009-10-16T11:10:00.002-04:00

Brrrr - is it winter already? Bring an umbrella and warm coat for market day tomorrow - our farmers are hardy souls and will be waiting for you despite the weather. Here are a few ideas to cozy up this chilly weekend.

Fall's produce make delicious soups that will surely warm you up; we love Leek & Potato and Butternut Squash. You can make a double batch and freeze one for a busy weeknight later. Add a salad and some crusty bread with cheese and your meal is set. We've also been hearing about a new cookbook, Love Soup, that just might help us get through the cold winter that is predicted.

AndyB will be back tomorrow with his delicous desserts to make you smile no matter what it looks like outside. He's bringing his Apple Pie, an unusal Concord Grape Pie, a Pumpkin Maple Pie, a Pear and Raspberry Galette, his delicious cookies and more.

After shopping at the market take your kids over to the Bryn Mawr Film Insitute. They will be showing Babe, surely one of the best movies depicting life on a farm, at 11:00 am, adult tickets are $5, tickets for kids are $4. The Handwork Studio will be there as well with a special free Halloween cape-making workshop.

Hope to see you Saturday!

Thinking about Turkeys (and Honey, Apples and More)

2009-10-08T14:42:00.003-04:00

Yep we're already thinking about Thanksgiving, and our Thanksgiving meal in particular. Have you considered "going local" this year? Canter Hill Farm is taking orders now for their locally-raised, free-range turkeys for your holiday table. Stop by their booth this Saturday to order a turkey, and you can also pick-up information on their winter CSA program of poultry and eggs.

Our friends from Harriton House will also be joining us Saturday, with a special table featuring produce from their farm. Yep - a working farm right here in Bryn Mawr. Check out the produce from their community garden as well as the apples from their orchard. And, if you buy a membership to Harriton House you will be given a free jar of honey from their beehive! Finally some local honey!

Be on the lookout for the pumpkins at Livengood's Produce. And Frecon Farms has been bringing us bushels of apples of different varieties. See you on Saturday and enjoy the best of the fall bounty.

Good things Goin' On

2009-09-24T14:29:00.004-04:00

Lots of fun different good things going on - things to plant, things to eat, things to do. First, the Lower Merion Conservancy will be joining us at the market this Saturday with a lovely selection of native perennials to add to your garden this fall. According to the Conservancy, plants native to Pennsylvania support more insects and birds than exotics, are more disease resistant, and are better adapted to our weather conditions. We are big fans of the Conservancy's swamp milkweed, the host plant for monarch caterpillars and a favorite plant of the ruby-throated hummingbird. The photo at top depicts a monarch laying eggs on the milkweed in my garden (can't tell you how exciting that was to watch!) Check out the Conservancy's website for more information on the perennials that will be available for sale.

Another good thing - the wonderful write-up in the Food section of today's Inquirer on John & Kira's Chocolates. This weekend they will be selling a specialty bar called Mint Patch, made with 62 percent Valhrona chocolate and the surplus of mint grown by Philadelphia schoolchildren for John & Kira this year. Sounds yummy to us.

Lastly, the annual Harriton House Plantation Fair will be held this Saturday from 10-4. The event highlights the history and agricultural heritage of the Welsh colonial house and farm, and includes a broad array of of activites - sheepherding on the meadow, bee-keeping demonstrations, antique dealers, quilting, basketmaking, pony rides and even an exhibit about dairying in Lower Merion.

Enjoy all the good things goin' on this Saturday!

Cakes for Rosh Hashana & More

2009-09-17T14:58:00.004-04:00

AndyB is busy baking some special cakes for the Rosh Hashana holiday, available this Saturday at the Farmers' Market. If you are not familiar with this holiday, it is the celebration of the Jewish New Year, and desserts typically include apples and honey symbolizing a sweet New Year. Come try one of the following cakes that AndyB is baking just for us:

Aunt Marna's Apple Cake - A traditional Jewish apple cake pushed to new heights with freshly ground cinnamon, orange juice and zest and thick chunks of tart Granny Smith Apples. This recipe is pareve.

Golden Cake - Golden apricopts, honey and postachios meld with cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom for a warm but brightly-flavored cake. This recipe is pareve.

Fruits of the Earth Cake - A light cake flavored with lemon, cinnamon, and ginger enveloping peach slices, blackberries and figs, then drizzled with honey. This recipe contains butter so is not pareve.

Of course, if you are an apple-lover we also HIGHLY recommend Andy's apple pie!

Shellbark Hollow will be bringing us two new cheeses - an aged Tomme and ripened Bloomy Rind Biscuit. We think these would make a wonderful plate with some crunchy Frecon Farm apples. Or perhaps with some beets from Wimer's Organics ...

Lastly, John & Kira's Chocolates will be back! Thank you for giving them such a wonderful reception last week. See you on Saturday!

Attention All Kids and Chocolate-Lovers!

2009-09-10T20:50:00.002-04:00

If you love chocolate, or if you have children (we fall into both categories) you won't want to miss the Bryn Mawr Farmers' Market this Saturday, September 12. First, John & Kira's Chocolates will be participating in the market, and they just might be the coolest chocolate-makers in the country. Featured on the cover of Gourmet magazine, in the New York Times and on the Martha Stewart television show, John & Kira are truly the best the Philadelphia region has to offer. Their hand-made, artisan chocolates include flavors such as Garden Mint, Glenn's Raspberry and Lavender Honey, and utilize locally-grown and sustainably-harvested ingredients whenever possible. The mint is grown by the students at University City High School, the honey from a local apiary - you get the idea. Click here for their website, and be sure to check out their tent on Saturday. Let us know what you think!

To kick-off the fall season, we are also featuring several fun and informative booths for the back-to-school crowd. Bryn Mawr Hospital will be providing information on children's nutrition and the importance of a healthy diet for children. The pros at The Handwork Studio and Main Line Art Center will be leading complimentary arts and crafts projects. And make sure your little ones take home a free balloon!

The Bryn Mawr Farmers' Market will continue to be open this fall each Saturday from 10 am - 2 pm, through early November. There is a bounty of fresh, local food to enjoy during the harvest season.

Late Summer at the Farmers Market

2009-08-28T11:02:00.003-04:00

While our blog posts have been quiet due to August vacations and such, the Farmers Market has been rocking and rolling. Tomatos galore, corn, peaches, new potatoes, zuchini ... no wonder Governor Rendell declared August to be "Pennsylvania Produce Month". Not to be outdone, the cheesemakers got in the act and we hear August has been proclaimed "National Goat Cheese Month". Purhase some produce and cheese at the market tomorrow to celebrate both!

As we roll into fall we have some special extras planned at the market. Tomorrow an educator from Penn State Extension will be on hand with composting tips. Fall is the perfect time to start a compost pile - using faded perennials, and of course all those leaves. On September 12th we will have several fun extras for the kids: Bryn Mawr Hospital will be on hand with a children's nutrition booth, The Handwork Studio will be leading free craft projects, and we'll even have a game of "Go" lead by the Phoeonixville Farmers Market game guru. To take advantadge of the fall planting season, in late September the Lower Merion Conservancy will visit the market with native plants to enhance your garden.

The Farmers Market will be open each Saturday this fall through early November - if you've been away for the summer its not too late to enjoy locally grown and produced food. Hope to see you on Saturday!

Something Sweet

2009-08-06T14:22:00.001-04:00

A warm welcome to AndyB Confections, a dessert baker and the latest producer to join the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market. Andy is a Lower Merion resident and graduate of the Culinary School in New York. Using fresh, local, all-natural ingredients (many purchased at the market), AndyB specializes in bright bold flavors in unusual combinations, and cookies are a particular passion. He is also baking fresh fruit pies and tarts, all of which sold out last Saturday – peach and white cherry pie anyone? Or maybe you’d like to try one of his 15 flavors of chocolate chip cookies? Enjoy.

We are still on the lookout for special growers/producers to enhance the market. We’d love to find some local honey, as well as Kennett Square mushrooms. If you have a lead, please pass it along. As always, we welcome your comments and input.

See you on Saturday!

Enjoying Local Produce in the Winter

2009-07-17T14:09:00.006-04:00

Summer is in full swing and the Bryn Mawr Farmer's Market will be overloaded with produce the next few weeks. The New York Times food writer, Marc Bittman, wrote a great piece a while back on how to best freeze produce - this takes advantage of summer's bounty and makes it last into fall and winter. Another idea - buy bags of tomatoes, onions, peppers and basil, and make up batches of tomato sauce to freeze for later. Or, if you are planning to bake a pie, bake two instead and freeze one. Freezing is a fantastic way to support our local farmers even if you are heading out of town. We don't want all this delicious food going into the compost pile!

Looking for more ways to use up those tomatoes? Try this delicious, tangy Tomato Salad:

Heirloom Tomato Salad
4 Cucumbers, chopped
12 Juliet Tomatoes, sliced in half
6 Sun Gold Tomatoes, quartered
10 leaves Basil
6 oz Feta or Goat Cheese
2 or 4 Shallots, thinly sliced
4 oz Balsamic Reduction

1. In a sauce pan over medium heat, reduce to about half 1 cup of balsamic vinegar. Add the sliced shallots to the reduction.
2. Mix all ingredients together, drizzle with the reduction and shallots, season with salt and pepper to taste.

Shellbark Hollow will be back this Saturday, hope to see you at the market!

2009-07-09T21:46:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone,

Unfortunately, Donna from Shellbark Hollow has informed us that the refrigerators
on the farm went down and they lost most of their inventory. So,
Shellbark Hollow will NOT be at the market this Saturday.

Additionally, Herbal Springs Farmstead will not be at Bryn Mawr this
Saturday. Originally they planned to attend the market during the
month of June; they have decided to continue attending, but they
already had plans for this Saturday...so stay tuned for a future appearance!

On a positive note, Green Zebra Farm is bringing fresh cut flowers...so you can add some summertime colors to your table along with all the other goodies you can bring home on Saturday!

We hope to see you there!

P.S. If you have any recipes you'd like to share with the other market-goers, please post them in the comments or reply to our E-mail!

We're on YouTube!

2009-07-07T12:19:00.000-04:00

We'd like to send out a very special thanks to Carla Zambelli, who created a Youtube video advertisement from our farmer's market photos! You can view it below:

Thank you, Carla!

Happy Independence Day

2009-07-01T10:09:00.003-04:00

The Bryn Mawr Farmer's Market will be closed on Saturday in observance of the July 4th holiday. We wish you a happy, healthy Independence Day, and we'll see you on the 11th.

Cherries and Peaches and Plums, oh my!

2009-06-24T19:45:00.003-04:00

Raspberries, apricots, nectarines and apples too! A hearty welcome to Frecon Farms, the latest farm to join our market and we could not be happier. Since 1944, the Frecon family has been growing fruit on over 150 acres in the Boyertown area of Berks County. They take pride in a way of life connected to the countryside they have farmed on for three generations. Frecon Farms official first day in Bryn Mawr was actually last week and they brought bushels of cherries, as well as canned products such as applesauce. More cherries to come this weekend, and more tree fruits from their orchard as the season progresses. Yum.

Also coming up this weekend – the premiere of Food, Inc. at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute. If you are interested in good food and good health you won’t want to miss this important new documentary. Here’s the description from the film’s website:

“In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, herbicide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won't go bad, but we also have new strains of E. coli—the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.

Food, Inc. reveals surprising—and often shocking truths—about what we eat, how it's produced, who we have become as a nation and where we are going from here.”

Purchasing food from local farmers is a terrific, easy and delicious way to counter what is wrong with America’s food industry – and we thank you for supporting the Bryn Mawr Farmer's Market. A special thanks to the hardy souls who braved the rain last Saturday – don’t forget the market is open each Saturday rain or shine!

Chicken or Egg, Which First?

2009-06-12T13:23:00.002-04:00

Does anyone know how the riddle of the chicken and the egg was solved?
We haven't done the scientific research, but we will assume the EGG as that's what
will be coming first to the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market! Canter Hill Farm, a poultry farm from Malvern, is the latest producer to join the market.
Pick up some of their fresh eggs for your Sunday brunch - or Saturday night chocolate souffle. The Grabe's (she is originally from Rosemont, he is from South Africa) will have plenty of fresh eggs for us tomorrow. Their pasture-raised chickens will be sold at the market beginning early July, and the Grabe family is pursuing organic certification for the farm.

Producers continuing to attend the market this week will include:

Livengood's Produce
Shellbark Hollow
Spice of Life
Wimer's Organics
Wild Flour Bakery
Green Zebra Farm
Herbal Springs Farmstand
Birchrun Hills

We welcome back Birchrun Hills after an unexpected health problem prevented their attendance last week.

Lastly, we are THRILLED to tell you that Farm to City has found us a fruit orchard, likely to begin next week!

Hope to see you tomorrow.

Molly & Laura

We're Still Growing!

2009-06-05T16:29:00.003-04:00

Its week 3 for the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market – and we are thrilled to have another producer joining us tomorrow. Herbal Springs Farmstead, a family farm located in Lancaster County, will be selling plants, flowers and herbs, as well as vinegars and jams made with fruit grown on the farm. More farmers are still to come - later this month we will be joined by a Malvern poultry farm providing chicken and eggs, as well as an apiary (beekeeper/honey producer) from right here in Bryn Mawr.

We hope you have enjoyed the non-profit organizations that have had tables at the market. Alex’s Lemonade Stand, the Lower Merion Conservancy, Main Line Animal Rescue, and the Friends of Linwood Park have all participated thus far. This weekend Ludington Library will be setting up a table with “green” books. If you are involved with an area non-profit organization that would like to be represented at the market, please let us know - this helps the market serve our community.

And speaking of community, a HUGE thank you is owed to the local businesses who donated items for our opening day. Via Bellisima, Puns, Arrowroot and Katye K, thank you so much for your leadership, spirit and support. And to all of you - please patronize our local small businesses throughout Lower Merion and help them thrive. If you are an on-line shopper (and who isn't?) think about what you can instead buy locally. This reduces oil consumption from shipping, reduces packaging waste – and our local businesses will thank you.

Hope to see you on Saturday!

Laura & Molly

Week 2 - More Farmers, More Produce!

2009-05-28T13:30:00.002-04:00

On behalf of the local farmers, thank you to everyone who came to the farmers’ market opening day. The farmers and producers were astonished by the crowd (one seasoned farmer said it was his “best day ever”) and have promised to bring you more produce this coming week. It is our goal to serve you well, and we ask for your patience as we work out the market “kinks”. It was a joy to see such a broad spectrum of the community – young and old, families, friends and neighbors, all out greeting each other and enjoying the availability of fresh, local produce.

This Saturday, May 30, we will have two additional farmers selling at the market, Birchrun Hills Farm and Spice of Life. Chester County-based Birchrun Hills will be providing cow cheeses, fresh eggs and humanely-raised meat. If you haven’t tasted fresh eggs before, this is your chance. Spice of Life is a gluten-free baker – and we’re sure their baked goods will be tasty even if you are not following a gluten-free diet.

We’ll again have face-painting for children, some live music to enjoy, and we’re working on a strawberry pie-eating contest. See you Saturday!

First Friday Main Line Announces for June 2009!

2009-05-20T09:18:00.001-04:00

Friday, June 5th: First Friday Main Line Car Parade!

Market Opening Day - Saturday, May 23!!

2009-05-11T10:47:00.006-04:00

The farmers’ market season kicks off on Saturday, May 23 from 10 am - 2 pm with fresh food and community fun. The market will be open every Saturday thereafter, rain or shine, through the fall. A delicious diversity of locally-grown or produced food items will be available – vegetables, fruits, meats, cheeses, breads – come and purchase the ingredients for an entire summer meal!

Our Opening Day celebration will include prize giveaways from local businesses, Alex's Lemonade Stand, a native plant sale from the Lower Merion Conservancy, and much more . . . bring your kids for a fun day that is not to be missed.

Detailed information is provided below on the wonderful farmers and producers who will be participating in the market. Please do come and support these local farmers and producers who have made a commitment to bring their fresh produce to us.

Livengood's Produce - organic vegetables, grassfed beef
Earl Livengood and his family have a 20-acre farm in Lancaster, PA, where they have been growing award-winning, certified organic vegetables for many years. Earl's son Dwain began raising pastured beef cattle, as well. They have participated in Philadelphia farmers markets' for many years, and have maintained a stand at the Reading Terminal Market since the early 90s.

Green Zebra Farm - vegetables
Mitch Shapiro is in his second year farming two acres in Glen Mills, PA. He is growing a diversity of vegetables, including heirloom tomato varieties. He uses Integrated Pest Management, a multi-faceted approach to controlling pest and disease that emphasizes sustainable methods of agriculture.

ShellBark Hollow Farm - goat cheeses
ShellBark Hollow Farm maintains a herd of grassfed Nubian goats on three acres amid the developments in West Chester, PA, from which they make goat cheese, yogurt, and kefir. Their sharp chevre is served by fine restaurants in the region. ShellBark
Hollow's chevre won a City Paper Best of Philly 2009 award! http://www.shellbarkhollow.com

Spice of Life - gluten-free baked goods
Spice of Life was created in August of 2008 to provide great-tasting and nutritious bread for the ever-growing gluten-free community. Kristen bakes gluten-free bread, rolls, cupcakes and other treats.
http://www.spiceoflifelancaster.com/

Wild Flour Bakery - European-style baked goods
Wild Flour Bakery is an artisan bread and pastry bakery in Northeast Philadelphia. They bake baguettes and other loaves of bread, crackers and flatbreads with herbs and cheeses, croissants and other baked goods. Their rolls are used for some of Philadelphia's finest sandwiches, including the acclaimed Rouge hamburger!
http://www.wildflourbakery.net/

Birchrun Hills Farm - cow cheeses, grassfed pork and veal
Birchrun Hills Farm is a dairy farm in Chester County, and will make their products available at the market beginning May 30. Although she's been farming for 20 years, Sue Miller only started making cheese about 3 years ago yet she is already one of the region's finest artisan cheese makers. She will also bring pastured and humanely-raised pork and veal from animals that she and her family raise.
http://www.birchrunhillsfarm.com/

Wimer's Organics - organic produce
Bud learned how to provide top quality organic produce to wholesale customers while working for Paradise Organics, a standard-setting organic farm in Lancaster County since 1980. Since launching his own business in 2007, he has provided that same top quality produce directly to eaters. The vegetables at Wimer's Organics stand are grown at the Paradise farm and its sister farm in East Earl, PA, where he is manager.

A Farmers' Market Grows in Bryn Mawr

2009-03-02T11:18:00.007-05:00

Welcome to the Bryn Mawr Farmers' Market! Upcoming information, particularly the Opening Date and fun extras and activities to take place on that date will be posted shortly. With the cold early spring weather the readiness of the first crops is a bit unpredictable. Farm to City has been hard at work seeking the best locally-grown farm produce for Bryn Mawr and we hope you will be thrilled with the offerings that will be available soon.

Our gratitude list to a few special community members whose assistance and support have been invaluable:

Commissioner Scott Zelov
Bob Pierson and Joanna Pernick, Farm to City
Bryn Mawr Film Institue
Susan Arizini, owner, Via Bellisima
Jerry Berenson, Bryn Mawr College
David Broida, Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts
Vincent DiCioccio, Bryn Mawr Partnership
Andrea Gilbert, Bryn Mawr Hospital
Anna Lehr, student, Bryn Mawr College
Ken Sherman, Sherman Brothers Shoes
Mike Weilbacher, Lower Merion Conservancy
Hank Wilson, Bryn Mawr Civic Association
Carla Zambelli, Save Ardmore Coalition

Thank you to the many other volunteers and supporters who have been a part of this initiative to make farm-fresh, locally grown produce available to our families and our community.

Molly Terlevich & Laura Shell