Sweet Corn Has Arrived

The cool July weather has delayed the arrival of tomatoes and melons but the sweet corn has arrived! Hopefully we will have some hot weather in August to help things ripen so we can enjoy tomatoes into the fall!

I'd like to thank all of our customers and vendors who contributed to the VEAP food drive on Saturday, July 25. You responded generously, donating 580 pounds of fresh produce, local products, non-perishable food items and cash. This was enough food to provide approximately 100 VEAP shoppers with fresh, locally grown produce for a week.

Music at the Market this week will be provided by the New Roots Duo. Tim Fast will be playing on August 15th. Also on August 15, the Master Gardeners will be back to answer all of your lawn and garden questions. The Master Gardeners will be available from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Music performances are from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., so grab a coffee and enjoy the show!

Meet the Vendor - Lor Family Farm

Mai Kou Lor and her family have been farming in Afton, MN for the past 5 years. Farming on 3 acres of land provides them with plenty of fresh produce which they sell at 3 different markets. Mai Kou Lor and her three sisters recruit the help of their family to help them both in the fields and at the Market.

The Lor family uses fertilizer in the spring to help the plants grow but once the plants are established they do not spray the plants with any chemicals. All of the weeds are pulled by hand using both a tiller and a hoe. Weeding the fields is done a couple times a week and can be a lot of work. Another challenge is hauling the heavy loads of produce out of the fields and then cleaning the produce to get ready for market. Mai and her sisters all work full time so it is great to have help from their parents, nieces and nephews.

The Lor family's favorite things to grow are cucumbers and tomatoes. The cool weather this summer has been tough on tomatoes, the tomatoes need warm nights and hot daytime temperatures to ripen. Cucumbers are not only favorites to grow but also to eat. Many times Mai will snack on a cucumber straight from the field.

The Lor family also sells several types of Asian greens including Chinese spinach, mustard greens, yam leaves and squash greens. A popular way to use the greens is to boil them and add them to soup, stir-fry, or salads. Many people buy extra and then freeze them to use all winter long. Mai and her family love bringing the produce they have grown to market to share with their customers. "It is a lot of work but very rewarding when you can meet your customers and share ideas of how to prepare the food". You will find the Lor Family Farm in the middle section of the Market just east of Lorrence's Berry Farm. They always have a great variety of produce neatly stacked and fresh from the field!

Jill's favorite Calibasita

The Family Chef

4 small zucchini, diced
2 tsp kosher salt
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
4 ears corn, kernels sliced off
2 plum (Roma) tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or feta (optional)

Place diced zucchini in a colander set over a bowl. Sprinkle with salt; toss and let stand 20 minutes. (This draws the excess liquid out of the zucchini.)

Transfer zucchini to a kitchen towel and pat dry. (This step is optional but worth the time; drying zucchini prior to sauteing it keeps it from becoming watery, it also removes occasional bitterness.)

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; saute 3 to 5 minutes until soft. Do not brown.

Add zucchini and corn kernels. Saute 6 to 7 minutes until vegetables are almost tender.

Add diced tomato; saute 2 to 3 minutes until softened and zucchini is tender. Remove from heat and stir in cheese if desired. Enjoy...

Bloomington Farmers Market Information:

Hours
Market hours are 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.; for safety and fairness there is NO shopping before 8 a.m. Also, for environmental health reasons, pets are not allowed in the Market.

Parking
Please note the map and designated parking areas. The East Lot of Civic Plaza where the Market is held is for Handicap Parking only. There is plenty of Free Parking on the West Side of Civic Plaza. There is also parking across the street at Public Works off of James Ave.

Volunteering
If you are interested in volunteering at the Farmers Market we could use your help! Please contact Jill Murphy 952.563.8889 or Keri Lahl at farmersmarket@ci.bloomington.mn.us for more information. We can also use your help spreading the word about the Bloomington Market. If you have a place to hang a sign about the Farmers Market (church, workplace, coffee shop, etc.) you can either print the poster yourself or pick up a copy at the City's information tent.

We are looking forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Best regards,

Keri Lahl
Market Coordinator

In this issue

To learn more

Sweet Corn Has Arrived

Meet the Vendor - Lor Family Farm

Jill's favorite Calibasita

The Family Chef

We are looking forward to seeing you on Saturday!


	*Issue #6 - August 8, 2009*
In this issue Sweet Corn Has Arrived Meet the Vendor - Lor Family Farm Jill's favorite Calibasita To learn more Archived Farmers Market newsletters E-Subscribe Vendor List Vendor Location Map Music Calendar Master Gardener Calendar Market Poster Parking Map	Sweet Corn Has Arrived The cool July weather has delayed the arrival of tomatoes and melons but the sweet corn has arrived! Hopefully we will have some hot weather in August to help things ripen so we can enjoy tomatoes into the fall! I'd like to thank all of our customers and vendors who contributed to the VEAP food drive on Saturday, July 25. You responded generously, donating 580 pounds of fresh produce, local products, non-perishable food items and cash. This was enough food to provide approximately 100 VEAP shoppers with fresh, locally grown produce for a week. Music at the Market this week will be provided by the New Roots Duo. Tim Fast will be playing on August 15th. Also on August 15, the Master Gardeners will be back to answer all of your lawn and garden questions. The Master Gardeners will be available from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Music performances are from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., so grab a coffee and enjoy the show! Meet the Vendor - Lor Family Farm Mai Kou Lor and her family have been farming in Afton, MN for the past 5 years. Farming on 3 acres of land provides them with plenty of fresh produce which they sell at 3 different markets. Mai Kou Lor and her three sisters recruit the help of their family to help them both in the fields and at the Market. The Lor family uses fertilizer in the spring to help the plants grow but once the plants are established they do not spray the plants with any chemicals. All of the weeds are pulled by hand using both a tiller and a hoe. Weeding the fields is done a couple times a week and can be a lot of work. Another challenge is hauling the heavy loads of produce out of the fields and then cleaning the produce to get ready for market. Mai and her sisters all work full time so it is great to have help from their parents, nieces and nephews. The Lor family's favorite things to grow are cucumbers and tomatoes. The cool weather this summer has been tough on tomatoes, the tomatoes need warm nights and hot daytime temperatures to ripen. Cucumbers are not only favorites to grow but also to eat. Many times Mai will snack on a cucumber straight from the field. The Lor family also sells several types of Asian greens including Chinese spinach, mustard greens, yam leaves and squash greens. A popular way to use the greens is to boil them and add them to soup, stir-fry, or salads. Many people buy extra and then freeze them to use all winter long. Mai and her family love bringing the produce they have grown to market to share with their customers. "It is a lot of work but very rewarding when you can meet your customers and share ideas of how to prepare the food". You will find the Lor Family Farm in the middle section of the Market just east of Lorrence's Berry Farm. They always have a great variety of produce neatly stacked and fresh from the field! Jill's favorite Calibasita The Family Chef 4 small zucchini, diced 2 tsp kosher salt 2 tbsp olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 4 ears corn, kernels sliced off 2 plum (Roma) tomatoes, diced 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or feta (optional) Place diced zucchini in a colander set over a bowl. Sprinkle with salt; toss and let stand 20 minutes. (This draws the excess liquid out of the zucchini.) Transfer zucchini to a kitchen towel and pat dry. (This step is optional but worth the time; drying zucchini prior to sauteing it keeps it from becoming watery, it also removes occasional bitterness.) Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; saute 3 to 5 minutes until soft. Do not brown. Add zucchini and corn kernels. Saute 6 to 7 minutes until vegetables are almost tender. Add diced tomato; saute 2 to 3 minutes until softened and zucchini is tender. Remove from heat and stir in cheese if desired. Enjoy... Bloomington Farmers Market Information: Hours Market hours are 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.; for safety and fairness there is NO shopping before 8 a.m. Also, for environmental health reasons, pets are not allowed in the Market. Parking Please note the map and designated parking areas. The East Lot of Civic Plaza where the Market is held is for Handicap Parking only. There is plenty of Free Parking on the West Side of Civic Plaza. There is also parking across the street at Public Works off of James Ave. Volunteering If you are interested in volunteering at the Farmers Market we could use your help! Please contact Jill Murphy 952.563.8889 or Keri Lahl at farmersmarket@ci.bloomington.mn.us for more information. We can also use your help spreading the word about the Bloomington Market. If you have a place to hang a sign about the Farmers Market (church, workplace, coffee shop, etc.) you can either print the poster yourself or pick up a copy at the City's information tent. We are looking forward to seeing you on Saturday! Best regards, Keri Lahl Market Coordinator