I had forgotten–I forget everything–that the Elk Rapids Farmers Market was beginning last week. Fortunately the farmers remembered, and there they were, the early birds who have things to sell at the beginning of the Food Season. Luckily I was passing by.
I talked to Carolyn Royal, who had quantities of herbs from her Sage Meadow Farm, and her friend Phyllis Wells from the Wells Family Farm CSA, who sold out of lettuces. (That’s Carolyn on the right and Phyllis on the left.)
Carolyn teaches all kinds of herb classes, including one on medicinal uses. (Steep fresh echinacea leaves in vodka to make a tincture that clobbers viruses and eases sore throat. Make tea from valerian leaves to soothe anxiety.) I’m going to visit Sage Meadow Farm to interview her and we’ll have a whole story, shall we? And then along about November we’re going to talk to Phyllis and Mike Wells about cold storage. Lots to look forward to.
One of the great joys of the Farmers Markets around here would be the samples. On offer last Friday in cunning little containers:
Yogurt smoothies from Shetler’s. They come in nice glass bottles with a $2 deposit on them, just like all the other products from the family dairy.
Morsels of gluten free pot pies and pasties and lemon bars from Dennett’s Farm.
Piping hot slices of spicy brats on toothpicks from Gallagher’s Centennial Farm. Those were just the thing to take the chill off the morning. That’s Joanne Gallagher dispensing those lovely samples.
Wine jellies from Gayle Gallagher’s Stone Cottage. Here, try a bit on a cracker. Go back and get another little slice of brat from Joanne. Yup. Nice combination. You will notice that the jelly labels say “Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture.” That is because the jellies were made (in Gayle’s nice clean kitchen) under the Michigan Cottage Food Law. It’s complicated, like all food regulations, but in brief it allows individuals to sell homemade products like baked goods and jams directly to the public on a small scale.
Gayle’s husband Joe was tending a booth for their cousins, Chris and Pennie Halpin. Over in Kaleva, at The Land of Goshen, the Halpins milk their goats by hand, make exquisite cheese, and gather eggs from cage-free hens. They have quail and ducks and geese too. I don’t believe I’d ever seen quail eggs before. The goat cheese was very, very good.
I came home with a little container of that goat cheese, with sun-dried tomato mixed in. I bought a package of Joanne Gallagher’s brats, some delicate lettuce from Wells Family Farm, a bottle of Shetler’s raspberry yogurt smoothie, and, um, a small package of trail mix. Ben McMurray mixes this up in his kitchen to raise money to support his Ironman Triathlete training.
All of these people will be back tomorrow, and the Friday after that, all summer long. Most of them are listed in the latest edition of Taste the Local Difference, an admirable publication by the Michigan Land Use Institute.
Joss
June 9, 2011
Funny thing is, these photos could have been taken at the farmers’ market round the corner from here. We’ve got smoothies, herbs, goats’ cheese, even quails eggs here too. Only thing we lack is brats (edible ones, that is). Why is it that something that was set up for us to taste the ‘local’ difference ends up being the same everywhere? I think farmers’ markets are lovely and I think I’ll pay our local one a visit next time it’s on. But I don’t think there’s any need to visit your local one too. What have you got that we haven’t, apart from the bears?
Gerry
June 9, 2011
Ah–the thing about Farmers Markets isn’t that they offer things that are different. It’s that they offer produce picked less than 24 hours ago, sold to you by people you know. Our local lettuce isn’t better or more exotic than yours–it’s just fresher for us. It, um, might be a tad less fresh by the time it could get to you . . . 🙂
My goal is to get local readers to go to our Farmers Markets and to get distant readers to explore the ones in their communities.
The bears, though, you have to admit the bears are a significant advantage.
Joss
June 9, 2011
I’ve just looked at Montana Outdoors. The wild flowers are slightly different!
Gerry
June 9, 2011
Yes they are. May a thousand flowers bloom!
Fee
June 9, 2011
You really can’t beat farmers’ markets for the best produce. They always make me miss my country childhood, and the memories of digging up carrots and onions for the stew/mince/casserole that was our evening meal. I wasn’t asked to pick the peas due to my habit of eating more than went in the bowl. Which then spoiled my appetite for said evening meal. My mum was a fast learner (and a fabulous cook!).
Gerry
June 9, 2011
One of my best childhood memories is of sitting between the rows of peavines, picking peapods, eating peas . . . I love fresh peas.
P.j. grath
June 9, 2011
Once again you’ve done it, Gerry–made my mouth water not ten minutes after I’ve gotten up from the dinner table! Our market starts a week from tomorrow, though, so I only have eight days to wait.
Gerry
June 9, 2011
Soooo . . . Northport gets its Farmers Market and Ellen Airgood’s book signing on the same day? An embarrassment of riches.
lynnekovan
June 10, 2011
I love farmers markets. Some of the best ones I have been to are in France. They have so many wonderful delicacies, including lavender honey and walnut oil. However, I think I would be happy to explore Elk-Rapids market, and would be very interested in sampling the goats cheese. Thanks for taking me with you. And don’t forget next time!!!
Gerry
June 10, 2011
I’m glad you had a good time. I, um, would be free to go to a French farmers market anytime.
Beth Toner
June 10, 2011
Ah, Gerry! what time does the Farmer’s Market run on Fridays? Seems like a perfect family outing while we’re there!
Gerry
June 10, 2011
8 am until noonish. You’d like it a lot. And everything would be fresh, fresh, fresh.
isathreadsoflife
June 16, 2011
Ah, the pleasure of visiting a Farmer’s Market anywhere we are ! A great – and pleasant – way to know an area and its production, meet the farmers and try different foods. Thanks for introducing us to Elk Rapid Market. I would certainly have bought goat cheese and herbs. Probably more. A real nice post, Gerry.