Market season is on!

Hello, Stranger!

It’s been a while since the last newsletter! Market Central, the non-profit that brings you the farmers market you love, has been rockin’ and rollin’ on the waves of the federal grants discord. We don’t rely on any municipal funding, and we don’t have any wealthy benefactors (that’s your cue, Dave Matthews!). So we use a combination of vendor fees and grant opportunities to run this beautiful event. Like many other non-profits, funds that were congressionally appropriated are now eliminated, frozen, or at the very least, uncertain.

So if you see Cecile, give her a pat on the back (or a tissue). This is rough.

Farmers markets are so much more than weekly shopping trips. Allowing farmers to sell directly allows them to keep almost all the income they make at the market. Income that goes towards preserving rural land, providing jobs, growing food, and investing in the community of vendors with whom they share this market. Your money stays in the community, so does theirs. Thank you to our customers! Keep coming to the market, as we always say in the rain, “if the farmers are there, we’ll be there.”

DONATE HERE

New Farm Alert!

New to the Farmers Market at Ix, Starstead Farm is a small, intensive farm in Culpeper County, Virginia. Their vegetables and plants are certified organic— growing without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers, and being mindful of soil health. A wide variety of vegetables are available as the season moves on, with plenty of plant starts available now. Take a look at the photos on their website here and visit them at the market on Saturday.

Don’t Eat Breakfast!

If you are coming to the farmers market on a Saturday, come hungry! The Farmers Market at Ix has a wide variety of vendors serving hot prepared foods. Check the market lineup to see who is attending each week. Menus will vary as these chefs cook up new ideas to tempt your taste buds. Here’s a sample of who you may find on Saturday.

Khushbu creates Indian street food, including dals and curries.

Many dishes are vegan, and some are dairy and gluten-free. Ingredients include lentils, beans, tomato and ginger in sauces like Bhuna masala and tomato gravy. Mmmmmm. They also sell frozen curries that can be enjoyed later! Originally from Jamaica, Rum Punch delivers authentic Jamaican cuisine like jerk shrimp, coconut shrimp, oxtail, goat, and rice & peas. The vibes are relaxed at the Rum Punch tent and you can taste the love in

every bite. Serving “the grits your momma told you about”, SFG Food is bringing a Texas fusion menu to the market. Using meat from local farms, pulled pork mac and cheese, brisket and short ribs have been seen on the menu, but don’t discount his vegetarian flair, the tofu sliders are delicious. A market favorite, Sweet Jane’s Kitchen has been cooking Maryland-style crabcakes at the market for years. Keeping it simple and delicious with homemade remoulade sauce and a shake of old bay or dress it up will killer slaw. Hog Haven Farm is another fixture at the market. Breakfast sandwiches never go out of

style. You can also buy their pasture raised pork products and try to recreate one at home. Rounding out our market regulars is Mexican Tacos who serve custom made tacos on handmade tortillas. The perfect size to put one in each hand. If you are interested in some Guatemalan tamales (chuchitos) to take home, Hands off Maria makes tamales with chicken, pork or vegetables. She takes large orders too if you are having a tamale party! Feeling a little fancy? Stop by Tico Loco for a sweet or savory crêpe. Handmade with fresh ingredients like strawberries and peaches, or mushroom and bacon. Go on. You deserve it.

Herbs Can Make Any Meal Shine!

Watch this video from America’s Test Kitchen, “Follow This Formula to Make The Best Sauce Ever” and learn how to make a foolproof, delicious sauce using the ratios of herbs to fats. There is also great advice about choosing herbs, combinations, and preparing them to get the best flavor.

What’s Cooking?

Is your favorite vegetable losing its allure? Want to dress up a basic meal into a “wow” dinner?

Let’s talk sauces, herbs, and butters.

Tabbouleh Salad
Chermoula (North African relish)
Chimichurri
Zhoug (spicy cilantro sauce)
Creamy Lemon Dill (not pictured)
Herb Butters

Fresh and dried herbs, garlic, onions, and peppers (a little later) are available at the market!

Local Food, Farm, and Friends Events

Food Handler Class at Bread & Roses Kitchen, May 1
Spring Plant Sale with the Piedmont Master Gardeners, May 3
Spring Farm Gathering (with Rum Punch) at Caromont Farm, May 4
Food Protection Manager Class at Bread & Roses Kitchen, May 5
Bread Making for Home or Business at Bread & Roses Kitchen, May 9
Spring Bird Walk at Bellair Farm, May 10
Mother’s Day Jam with The Faux Paws at Thistlerock Mead, May 11
Resource Fair with the Community Investment Collaborative, May 14
Watercolor Mushrooms 101 at The Scrappy Elephant, May 18
Mill Race Market, at Wade’s Mill (see the water wheel in action!), May 4

From a Farmer and His Son, a Practical and Joyful Guide to Beekeeping by Christina Cooke

Kamal Bell and his 8-year-old son Akeem, authors of “Akeem Keeps Bees!” discuss why the wrote a book, their North Carolina farm’s greater purpose, and the most fun part of working with bees. Read More here..

Feeling inspired to start keeping bees? Talk to the bee farmer experts!

You can purchase local flour too! Deep Roots Milling is at the Farmers Market at Ix on the first Saturday of every month and is a proud member of the Common Grain Alliance.

When you use SNAP at the Farmers Market at Ix, you will receive Virginia Fresh Match coupons to be used for fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and edible seeds and plants. Market Central SNAP/VFM information.