We are sad to report the loss of one of our longtime vendors over this past weekend. Jaroslav “Jerry” Makovicka, of Little Prague European Bakery, passed away suddenly on Saturday, October 19th. He was a fixture at Ballard Farmers Market for many years, selling his wife Marie’s famous Czech pastries. He always had a smile and a joke to share through his thick Czech accent. Our thoughts are with Marie and his family and friends. (A memorial service will be held next Tuesday, October 29th at noon in Lynnwood. For info, or if you wish to share a memory, you can also do so at this link. If you wish to make a cash contribution to help the family with expenses at this time, you can do so at the Market Information Desk this Sunday at Ballard Farmers Market.)
Fresh, local cranberries from Bloom Creek Cranberry Farm. Photo copyright 2012 by Zachary D. Lyons.
It is fresh cranberry season at your Ballard Farmers Market! Bloom Creek Cranberry Farm, from Olympia, returns today with their beautiful fresh cranberries. Time to make that homemade cranberry sauce, cranberry juice and all manner of cranberriliciousness. But they are only around for a few weeks, so get them now, while you can!
Fava bean leaves from Stoney Plains Organic Farm. Photo copyright 2013 by Zachary D. Lyons.
Stoney Plains Organic Farms has fava bean leaves now, for a few weeks. Yes, fava bean leaves. Fava beans grow a lot like peas, and like peas, you can eat the leaves, too. Try giving some a quick sauté for dinner tonight!
Camelina cooking oil from Ole World Oils. Photo courtesy Old World Oils.
Please welcome a new farm vendor to your Ballard Farmers Market: Ole World Oils and their Camelina Gold cooking oil. Camelina is an ancient seed oil crop that is non-GMO, high in omega-3 fatty acids. packed with antioxidants, and has a very high (475 degrees) smoke point. It is cold-pressed and unrefined. The Greenwalt family was among the original homestead farmers in Eastern Washington in the late 1800s, and they have been farming just west of Ritzville for over 110 years. Not only does camelina, a member of the mustard family, make for great cooking oil, it also helps the farm maintain healthier soils, allowing them to farm more sustainable.
Fresh apple cider from Jerzy Boyz. Photo copyright 2013 by Zachary D. Lyons.
Hey kids! Jerzy Boyz has fresh apple cider! This stuff is like the old-school cider you remember as a kid, before everything had to be cooked to death. Mind you, this is pasteurized. It has to be now. But it is minimally processed, and it is fabulous! (Oh, and it’s organic, too.)
Do you have WIC or Senior Farmers Market Checks or Fresh Bucks coupons that are about to expire on October 31st? Be sure to use them today at your Ballard Farmers Market!
Fresh ducks from Stokesberry Sustainable Farm. Photo copyright 2010 by Zachary D. Lyons.
Stokesberry Sustainable Farm has fresh ducks this week, and they should have more next week. They are certified organic, and they are delicious! But here’s a tip: if you try to buy one this week and they are sold out, be sure to reserve one for next week! Mmm. Fresh duck.
Shallots from One Leaf Farm. Photo copyright 2013 by Zachary D. Lyons.
These beautiful, big shallots are from One Leaf Farm, and they have plenty of them. 2013 was a stellar year for onions, garlic and shallots, and besides tasting wonderful, these foods are full of essential nutrients to keep the doctor away, and lots of other things, too!
Taylor’s Gold pears from Booth Canyon Orchard. Photo copyright 2013 by Zachary D. Lyons.
This week’s heirloom pear of the week from Booth Canyon Orchard is Taylor’s Gold pears. Originally from New Zealand, these organic lovelies are grown in the Methow Valley in the North Cascades. Booth Canyon has a limited supply of these, and of all of their fruit, this year due to late summer storm damage, and to that end, they will miss the next two weeks of your Ballard Farmers Market, so stock up now, while you can!
Sweet potato chips from Lyall Farms. Photo copyright 2013 by Zachary D. Lyons.
You know and love sweet potatoes from Lyall Farms, right? Well, now you can also get these sweet potato chips from Lyall Farms! They are offering them with a couple different types of seasonings, from sweet to savory. Try something a little different — a local chip that also comes with all the goodness and flavor of local sweet potatoes!
Sweet peppers from Alvarez Organic Farms. Photo copyright 2013 by Zachary D. Lyons.
It is last call for sweet peppers and all things nightshade from Alvarez Organic Farms. The nights have gotten colder over in Mabton, and that means the peppers and eggplants are done producing. Enjoy them this week for one last time!
New fall flavors from Soda Jerk Sodas. Photo copyright 2013 by Zachary D. Lyons.
Soda Jerk Sodas has rolled out some new fall flavors, like this Theo Chocolate soda (left), just in time for Halloween, Lemon Lavender and Sour Apple (right). The sun is back today. Celebrate with a fresh, local soda! (And please remember to vote. Every vote will be critical this year, and several items on your ballot will directly affect your Ballard Farmers Market.)
Ornamental gourds from Alm HIll Gardens. Photo copyright 2013 by Zachary D. Lyons.
Dress your house up for fall with these ornamental gourds from Alm Hill Gardens (a.k.a., Growing Washington). Not only do they complete your Halloween display, but they will round out your Thanksgiving table, too!
A fall flower bouquet from Children’s Garden. Photo copyright 2013 by Zachary D. Lyons.
And while you are gussying up your house, hows about a gorgeous bouquet of fall flowers from Children’s Garden? You won’t find a bouquet like this at any Big Box store, and these are local, fresh, unique and fit the season perfectly!
There is plenty more local deliciousness waiting for you today at your Ballard Farmers Market. Just check What’s Fresh Now! for a more complete accounting of what is in season right now.
Please remember bring your own bags every Sunday, as Seattle’s single-use plastic bag ban is now in effect. Also, please take note of our new green composting and blue recycling waste receptacles throughout your Ballard Farmers Market, and please make an effort to use them correctly. Each container has what’s okay to put in it pictured right on the lid. Please do not put the wrong materials in, because that drives up the cost of recycling and composting, and it can result in the entire container being sent instead to a landfill. Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated.
Tags: apple cider, Ballard, Ballard Farmers Market, camelina oil, cooking oil, cranberries, duck, farmers market, fava bean leaves, flowers, food, Fresh Bucks, fresh soda, gourds, King County, pears, peppers, Seattle, Senior FMNP, shallots, Sunday, sweet potato chips, sweet potatoes, WIC FMNP
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