Crumb Trail

Dates Farm Stands and Farmers Markets Open in 2009

This past Friday morning, I had a brain storm of sorts.  It came to me that I could have a list of all the Farm Stands and Farmers Markets, that I am aware of and have visited, and post whether or not they have opened for the 2009 season.  Under the constraints of my blog host which limits the amount of information I can provide in that format, I was able to add a snippet of information on location, weekday open, and hours, when that info was available.  I have added this to my blog site in the left hand column, almost at the top, under the heading Dates Farm Stands and Farmers Markets Open in 2009.  This provides a quick reference for anyone looking to find a market or stand close to them and and if it has opened.  If you are aware of any others or have more info on the one's I have listed, please let me know.

J. L. Hawkins Family Farm

Now this is stretching my boundaries a bit, since this farm/CSA is located in Wabash County, but they do provide delivery into Ft. Wayne for those who have purchased a share in their CSA.  J. L. Hawkins Family Farm is located just south and east of North Manchester, at 10373 N 300 E, North Manchester, IN.  All shares for 2009 have been sold, so I offer this information for you to file away for next year if you are interested.

A share for 2009 included a weekly allotment of vegetables from late May to early October, 40 weeks of eggs, 20 pastured meat chickens, a fresh Thanksgiving turkey, a half of a grass-fed hog, and a quarter of a grass-finished beef.  It can't get any more complete that that.

In their farm store you can also purchase their frozen whole pastured chickens, frozen beef and frozen pork in an assortment of packaging (patties, steaks, ground beef, sausage), frozen whole turkeys, and pastured eggs.  Also available for purchase are Jersey-cow, grass-fed, raw-milk cheeses (Colby, Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Yogurt, and Baby Swiss) as well as flavored cheeses which include: Chive Blend, Hot Pepper, Garden Herb, Italian Spice, Onion Blend and Toasted Garlic.  Other offerings include Honey and Maple Syrup provided by the Winger Farm of North Manchester.

This year, as an experiment, there are a few shares that have been sold to Fort Wayne residents.  However, this was on a trial basis, due to logistics, so you will have to check with them early next year to see if this arrangement if being offered for 2010.

Jeff and Kathy are a delightful, hard-working couple, managing all this on their own.  Please support their offerings of local meat, dairy, and honey by stopping at their farm store and making a purchase.  The store is open every day but Sunday.

What A Success!

Opening day of the West Side Farmer's Market was a huge success!.  I was able to attend opening night after all and I was delighted to see the great turn out.  This was especially gratifying since we are so early in the produce season and what is available to us right now is still limited.  The mayor was there to welcome the Market to the neighborhood and the atmosphere was festive as people milled about exploring the layout and enjoying what the vendors had to offer.

Available that night were radishes, onions, potatoes, lettuces, herbs, rhubarb, asparagus, and morel mushrooms, as well as several varieties of tomato plants.  I purchased a bag of freshly picked greens from Angie of Pembroke Gardens.  That one bag has provided us with super delicious salads, three times since then.  I will definitely be looking for her stand again this Friday.

We enjoyed a slice of Louie's pizza (Louie's Pizza & Ribs, 1235 Runnion Street, Fort Wayne,) that being offered as a sample of what is available from them and were given a flyer introducing us to their 20 flavors of homemade ice cream (I want to try "Dreamsicle" and of course "Chocolate, Chocolate Chunk").

Right next to Louie's was The Egg Shop, offering a variety of omelets, made for eating at the market or for taking home.  Samples of these were being offered also.  Next time I will have to arrive before I have eaten supper.

The line for purchasing a hamburger from the Joseph Decuis stand, proved they were a hit, and the smell of the grilling beef was mouth watering.  They were also offering for purchase products made in Indiana, that they carry in their Emporium in Roanoke, IN.  I bought the "Grannie's Garden Sweet Dill Pickles" and the "Grannie's Garden 'I Love You Jam' (Raspberry-Dark Chocolate)" both made by Two Cookin Sisters of Brookston, IN.  Both of these products are wonderful, but we especially enjoyed the jam.  Besides the Two Cookin Sisters products, they also had available products from Greenfield Mills (flours, mixes) in Howe, IN and from Local Folks Foods (salsas, jams, ketchup, BBQ sauce) in Sheridan, IN.

There is parking available along Main Street as well as in several lots behind the market on Davis Street.  Nebraska Neighborhood, you have created a wonderful atmosphere and delightful place to market shop.  Thank you!  I will be there on Friday nights often.

Don't Miss It!

Remember the West Side Market opens this afternoon.  Be sure to check it out.  It is early in the season but I know you will find asparagus, rhubarb, micro-greens and much more as well as be delighted by the entertainment and vendors of all varieties.  Please support this new endeavor.

Cedar Creek Produce--Strawberries, Asparagus, and more

If you are looking the the sweetest strawberries of the season, and beautiful home grown asparagus (for $3/pound), head to Cedar Creek Produce in Leo.  You won't be disappointed. There you will also find large potted tomato plants (and I mean 4 ft tall with big green tomatoes already on them) in seven or eight different varieties.  They also have hanging tomato plants for sale.  

You will also find tomatoes that have been grown and ripened in their greenhouse, and their own honey, brown eggs, Anderson fertilizer, and hanging flower baskets. More of their personally grown produce will be available as the season progresses (rhubarb, melons, zucchini, potatoes, peppers, squash, and cucumbers).  Scheduling begins in June for u-pick strawberries.  Call 260-438-1257.

The farm stand is open 9am to 6pm, seven days a week during the produce producing season and is located  at 11709 Clay Street, Leo, IN.

West Main Market--New Farmer's Market Opening

We are really fortunate to have another Farmers Market opening here in Fort Wayne and it will be like no other!  It will be open on Fridays from 3pm-8pm and located at 1936 West Main Street (in the parking lot of the old Wayne Seed building, on the corner of Main and Davis).  

It will open on Friday, May 15th and run through October 23rd, rain or shine.  There will be 31 vendors which include farmers, nurseries, artists, and antiques.  Pizza and ribs will be available for purchase every night as well as Caribbean foods being made on site by two women using fresh ingredients from the market.  Joseph Decuis will be grilling up hamburgers and well as selling their amazing soups, and bakers will be providing baked goods.  Culinary instruction will be provided by local chefs, incorporating fresh food from the market.  Music will be provided by different groups every Friday night. 

Everything being sold is hand made or personally grown.  A category has been created for a vendor who wishes to purchase produce elsewhere and then sell it at the Market but no vendor has signed up to do that at this point.  Three of the farmers who will be there are certified organic.

The Market is owned and operated by the Nebraska Neighborhood.

So, doesn't this sound wonderful!  What a great place to get together with friends on a Friday night and be able to purchase locally grown products.  I am going to have to miss opening night due to a previous commitment, but I certainly will be there the following Friday.

Country Garden & Farm Market CSA

This year, Dan & Wendy Flotow, owners of Country Garden & Farm Market, 14110 US 24 West, Roanoke, offered a Work Shares program in their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).  That offering is full now, but you can ask to be placed on a waiting list if an opening would become available.  They still are enrolling paying members for Summer 2009.  Their CSA offers produce from June 1st through October 12th this year.  Cost of shares are as follows:

    20 week full bag $500  and a half bag (enough for two people) is $300
    10 week full bag $250  and a half bag is $150

You can pick up your share at one of three locations:

    Mondays at Country Gardens Farm, 141110 US 24 West, Roanoke
    Wednesdays at Solomon's Farm, 817 W Dupont Rd, Fort Wayne
    Thursdays at Do It Best, 1203 West State Blvd, Fort Wayne

Your weekly share will will contain the vegetables that have ripened that week and will include Lettuce/Greens, Spinach, Broccoli, Cabbage, Sweet Corn, Green Peppers, Tomatoes, Herbs and much more.  The Flotow's Farm is Certified Organic, so what more could you ask for than locally grown and highly nutritious.

If you are interested in purchasing a share or more information on "work shares", please contact the Flotows at 260-672-1254.