Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Winter Farmers' Market at Cole Garden


by Shane Smith, Outreach Coordinator
It’s been another great year to be at Cole Garden for the Concord Winter Farmers' Market.  There is nothing better than to arrive at a sunny, warm greenhouse in the community where one can obtain excellent local food, listen to great music, and run into friends on a cold winter's day.  2012-2013 has seen a growing trend in the formation of winter farmers markets in the state.  This is really exciting.  According to the NH State Agriculture website there are over 30 winter markets in NH this year and over 90 farmers markets during the normal growing season.
All of the food at the market is either grown and/or processed by local producers. Last week I was able to get carrots, spinach, onions, potatoes, pork sausage, cilantro chutney, coffee, eggs and a Panini sandwich to boot.  Those was just the items on my list-there is so much more to choose from! You can check out the Cole Garden Website to see a complete list of all vendors who will be at the market on a given week.  The Co-op is selling Mac n’ Cheese, Panini sandwiches and chili at Cole’s Garden every other week starting Jan. 5 through March 30. 
 
I look forward to working with Chef Mike each time the Co-op is at the Market vending. We serve macaroni and cheese using local cheese and cream, Panini sandwiches using homemade pesto from the Celery Stick kitchen, Brookford Farm cheddar cheese, and chicken using Smart Chicken-the same line we use in the meat case at the store.  That is, the birds are certified humanely raised and processed, as well as raised without animal byproducts, antibiotics, or hormones.

Although vending is a blast  at Coles its always a treat to take a beak and do my own shopping and connect with other vendors at the market.  We look forward to seeing you there.  Check out the Coles Garden website for more details about vending and music here

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