Some Ballard Farmers Market Success Stories

Autumn Martin with her Hot Cakes at Ballard Farmers Market back in 2009. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

In the People’s Republic of Ballard, and especially at your Ballard Farmers Market, we know great, local food and drink. So it is no wonder your Ballard Farmers Market has been home to, and indeed a launching pad for, many now very familiar and celebrated names in the local food and beverage industry. And as I continue my personal countdown to retirement from this blog, today I celebrate just a fraction of the extraordinary folks with whom we have shared the street over the years, and the success they have so deservedly achieved.

Like Chef Autumn Martin of Hot Cakes, now with her own storefront just a block up from the Market. Most days, there is a line out the door there to eat her delicious chocolatey creations, but did you know Hot Cakes got its start right here on the street at your Ballard Farmers Market? Yep. We couldn’t be more proud of you, Autumn. And just look at all of the press, from all over the world, she’s getting!

Veraci Pizza co-owner Marshall Jett being interviewed by Food Network Canada. Photo copyright 2010 by Zachary D. Lyons.

This photo is from 2010, when a camera crew from Food Network Canada arrived at your Ballard Farmers Market to feature Veraci Pizza on their street food show, Eat Street. You probably see Veraci’s mobile pizza ovens all of town — heck, all over the Northwest. Besides their storefront on Market Street, they have a depot on 15th Avenue on Crown Hill will dozens of the trailers. You will also find them in Spokane, in Oregon and in Idaho. But did you know that they got their humble beginnings right here with us many years ago? Back then, they just had one, and then two trailers. Wow. We just love a great success story!

Kimchi, Krauts & more from Firefly Kitchens at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

Firefly Kitchens got its start in a shared kitchen space in Frelard in 2010, introducing Seattle to what has now become one of the biggest trends in food: fermentation. They gathered up local veggies from area farmers and allowed them to naturally ferment with delicious and nutritious results. We liked them so much, we directed them to the Good Food Awards in San Francisco in January 2011, and low and behold they won! And they’ve been winning ever since! And while you can now find their products at finer grocery stores throughout the area, the finest grocery store for them is still right here at your Ballard Farmers Market!

Farhad from Tall Grass Bakery at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

Yes, we all still miss us some Farhad, who retired from Tall Grass Bakery last September. So I thought I’d pay homage to him one more time whilst also reminding all y’all that Tall Grass Bakery also got its start with us, way back when your Ballard Farmers Market was wedged into the Fremont Sunday Market at 34th & Fremont, before Fremont was redeveloped and the Market moved to Ballard in 2000. They, too, shared a kitchen with another bakery back in the late 1990s. Now, they make some of the best bread in Seattle out of their storefront on 24th Avenue NW and bring it to you here at your Ballard Farmers Market, as well as other markets and restaurants all over King County.

Market Master Judy Kirkhuff with Nash & Patty Huber of Nash’s Organic Produce at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

In 2008, American Farmland Trust gave Nash Huber of Nash’s Organic Produce in Dungeness their annual, national Steward Of The Land Award. It is just one of many awards Nash has won over the years for the hundreds of acres and many farms he has not only kept in farm production in Clallam County, but that he has rejuvenated, rebuilding the soils, working with the local climate, and developing his own varieties of seeds that would thrive there. The result is a farm that is at its peak of production all winter long while many other local farmers are home reading seed catalogs or vacationing in Mexico. And like Bob Meyer, whom I saluted yesterday, Nash, too, has pioneered organic agriculture in Washington and helped many an up-and-coming farmer along the way!

Don Hilario Alvarez holding hot chile peppers at Alvarez Organic Farms. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

Today, it is hard to imagine a farmers market around Seattle in August and September without the dozens of varieties of organic peppers from Mabton’s Alvarez Organic Farms (currently prepping their soil for the 2015 growing season!). Don Hilario Alvarez, the farm’s patriarch, is a classic American success story — a true example of an immigrant who pulled himself up by his own bootstraps, scrimping, saving and investing, until he became one of the most admired organic farmers in the nation. Way back in 2004, ATTRAnews, the newsletter of the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, celebrated him in a feature story in their issue about Latino farmers.

Roger Wechsler of Samish Bay Cheese. Photo copyright 2009 by Zachary D. Lyons.

Back in 2010, Seattle was host to the American Cheese Society Awards, and frankly, our Market vendors mopped up the floor with its competition. And the winningest of all of your Ballard Farmers Market’s cheese makers was Samish Bay Cheese, taking home four separate awards. Stop by and take a tasting tour on any Sunday right here, and you will understand why!

Janelle & Jerry Stokesberry of Stokesberry Sustainable Farm support I-522. Photo copyright 2013 by Zachary D. Lyons.

Ever wonder what makes the Seahawks and the Sounders play so well? We like to believe it is because they eat eggs and chickens from Stokesberry Sustainable Farm. Need I say more?

Tacos from Los Chilangos. Photo copyright 2013 by Zachary D. Lyons.

Oscar Mendez comes from a family of great Mexican cooks, and our markets are proud to have fostered them. Now, Oscar’s Los Chilangos lays claim to being the only mobile taco stand sourcing its animal protein locally. He get it directly from local, sustainable and humane farmers, fishers and ranchers right here at your Ballard Farmers Market. He gets rockfish from Wilson Fish, beef and pork from Olsen Farms, and eggs from Stokesberry Sustainable Farm. Best of all, his food is wonderful!

Brent Charnley, winemaker at Lopez Island Vineyards, hold the new release of his Wave Crest White table wine. Photo copyright 2013 by Zachary D. Lyons.

And I round out this tribute to the achievements of the many vendors we quite frankly consider our family… heck, our children… with neither the last nor the least of our award-winning, storefront opening, international media starring market heroes. This is Brent Charnley from LIV (a.k.a., Lopez Island Vineyards). One of our state’s oldest wineries, the fact that it is certified organic makes it even more unique. Rarer still, it is located in the Puget Sound Appellation, Washington’s coolest, dampest wine-grape growing region, producing many Germanic varieties of grapes, and a few French, that just simply won’t grow elsewhere in Washington. And the list of awards their wines have won over the years is, frankly, almost embarrassing. Stop by for a taste to find out for yourself, and then take a great bottle, or three, home this Sunday!

Midweek Update for Wednesday, November 5th: Pickled Things, Cured Things, Fermented Things, Aged Things, Milled Things, Dried Things & Baked Things!

Pickled garlic and red onions from Purdy Organics at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

With the first midweek update of November, we give a tip of the hat to all things food artisan, value-added, or processed. What’s the difference? Nothing, really, except that when one says, “farmer value-added,” it means the farmer has processed their own ingredients into the artisan product. And food artisans are simply folks who take raw ingredients and craft (or process) them into something new. This time of year is great for such food, because we tend to enjoy them more now, because they extend the seasons of the ingredients they feature, and because many of those ingredients are done for the year already. And everything in this post features ingredients grown right here in Washington — something we require of our food artisans — and most include ingredients produced by farmers right here at your Ballard Farmers Market! Like Purdy Organics and their shiny new labels to match their new organic certification. They source their pickle ingredients from local farms, including our own Alvarez Organic Farms.

Kimchi, Krauts & more from Firefly Kitchens at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

Firefly Kitchens got their start just a few short years ago selling at your Ballard Farmers Market and our midweek markets. They immediately began winning awards for their naturally fermented kimchis and krauts, not just locally, but across the country. This is food that will cure what ails you, and taste great doing it! It is living food. Personally, I heart the caraway kraut on a nice bratwurst from Skagit River Ranch.

Cordials from Finnriver Farm & Cidery at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

Finnriver Farm & Cidery may be best known for its hard ciders, but it also make these awesome fruit cordials, a deliciously sweet finish to any meal, and great for all those special occasions in your future. They are made with berries grown right on the farm, as well as tree fruit from their neighbors’ farms. Stop by for a sample this weekend!

Dried garbanzo beans from Alvarez Organic Farms at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

Do you buy your garbanzo beans in a can still? Do you think they don’t grow around here? Cuz they do. Lots of them! And Alvarez Organic Farms has them — this year’s harvest, dried, shelled, and ready for you to soak and make the best hummus ever, or to add to salads, soups and more. Cut out the middle man. Don’t worry about what those cans are lined with. Get closer to the source of all of your food. And enjoy even more localiciousness!

Corn meal from Nash’s Organic Produce at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

Nash”s Organic Produce may be most famous for its carrots, beets and greens, but they also grow lots of grains, too. One of those grains is corn — milling corn. If you use corn meal at all, you absolutely must try Nash’s freshly-milled corn meal. You can actually taste the corn, in all its delicious sweetness! I use it for pan-frying oysters from Hama Hama Oysters or true cod from Wilson Fish myself. Nummers!

Gruyere bread from Snohomish Bakery at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. FLyons.

Finally, how’s about some Gruyere cheese bread from Snohomish Bakery? Snohomish makes this bread using Shepherd’s Grain flour, produced right here in Washington by a bunch of farmers over in the Palouse. This stuff is seriously addictive, so consider yourself warned! And we’ll see you at your Ballard Farmers Market this Sunday!

Sunday, September 14th: Signs Of The Changing Seasons, In Spite Of The Thermometer!

Oysters on the half-shell, on the beach at Hama Hama Oyster Company. Photo courtesy Hama Hama Oyster Company.

Sorry I’m late getting this week’s post up. I was waylaid by the wonderful wedding of Chefs Dustin and Shannon of Art of the Table. Short on ceremony. Long on merriment and amazing local food, much of which came from the farmers right here at your Ballard Farmers Market! (Heck, some of those farmers were even there.) Congrats, kids! But let’s get down to bidniz here, as there is plenty of it. We are seeing strong signs of fall’s approach on our tables this week, in spite of what today’s weather forecast looks like. And cooler, longer nights (and a few epic gully washers) have brought water temps down enough for Hama Hama Oysters to be able to harvest from their oyster beds again. Says Lauren, “We’ll have Hama Hama and Blue Pool oysters again this weekend. Oyster season is back on!”

Suncrest peaches from Booth Canyon Orchard at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

And I love it when our vendors make it easy for me by writing copy and sending it to me. Text like this from Stina of Booth Canyon Orchard:

We have TONS of Italian prunes this year. We will have them at Ballard Farmers Market for at least the next 3-4 weeks. Also this week, very special Crandall BLACK CURRANTS. Not sure what one does with them, but European baker types rave about them. This week also: Sweet 16 apples, Orcas pears (this week only), and more Suncrest peaches (pictured above… last week for those).

And if you have a favorite use for those Crandall Black Currents, do share. (And thanks, Stina!)

Black turtle shelling beans from Growing Things Farm at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

Growing Things Farm’s lovely displays of green beans have given way to displays of shelling beans now. See, that’s what many of those green beans do. They mature into these shelling beans. It’s like “green onions” and “green garlic.” It’s the immature fruit of the plant. And these black turtle shelling beans are the mature fruit. If you like black beans, these are them, fresh from the field. Pop open the pod, and those beans are black as night! And they will taste better than any dried beans you’ve ever had, too.

Italian prunes from ACMA Mission Orchards at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

Speaking of Italian prunes, ACMA Mission Orchards has them right now, too. But aren’t these really plums, you ask? Aren’t all prunes dried plums? Actually, all plums are members of the family Prunus. These are proper prunes, with a more oval shape, to a plum’s round shape. And all prunes are freestones, meaning they come easily off of their pit for easy eating, drying and cooking. Think of the sauces, chutney and jams! This is an extraordinary year for these prunes, like so many other crops, so enjoy it while you can.

Celery from One Leaf Farm at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

It’s getting deep into celery season folks. Nothing like some crisp celery on a crisp night. Besides, you are cooking more now, and your heartier fall recipes call for lots of this super food. Lucky for you, One Leaf Farm has some gorgeous celery right now, grown just a few miles from here in Carnation!

Gene Panida of Wilson Fish holding a whole wild Washington king salmon at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

The Washington coastal king salmon fishing season closes on September 15th — that’s Tuesday. And it means that you have just this Sunday and next to get some of this amazing fresh, local king salmon from our friends at Wilson Fish. And don’t forget their amazing smoked king salmon, too!

Belgian-style ales from Propolis Brewing at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

Piper from Propolis Brewing reports that they have a few new releases today, and the return of their award-winning Litha, their chamomile golden saison. Their three new releases include:

• Salmonberry Sour 7.5% ~ a tart, creamy, woodsy, can’t-put-your-finger-on-it…wild salmonberry ale… Ridiculous…and very limited…
• Erthe 4.5% ~ a crisp golden saison brewed with thyme (classic refreshing Golden Saison)
• Gardin 7.5% ~ an amber herbal saison aged in a beautiful Eaglemount Syrah barrel

And it’s last call for Corona Farms Borage ~ a borage flower ale with delicate cucumber, floral, marmalade champagne notes.

Coriander from Oxbow Farm at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

Here is something we don’t see very often at your Ballard Farmers Market: coriander! But given this summer’s heat, many a farmer’s cilantro crop bolted. And a few patient farmers just let it go to seed. And what is the seed of cilantro called? That’s right, it’s called coriander. If you are in the market for the freshest coriander you will ever encounter, stop by Oxbow Farm today and grab a bunch. Oh, and they’ll have some righteous strawberries today, too, as well as some lovely table grapes.

Concorde pears from Tiny’s Organic at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

Big, beautiful and delicious Concorde pears from Tiny’s Organic are in at your Ballard Farmers Market. These giants of the pear world are the quintessential pear, a cross between the great ancient Conference and Comice varieties, developed in England years ago. They enjoy a superior flavor, texture and a dramatic, classical pear shape. They are only around for a month or two each fall, so enjoy them while you can!

Winter squash from Boistfort Valley Farm at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

Holy season changes, Batman! Winter squash is in the house at your Ballard Farmers Market! Yup. Several farmers today will have the sweet, delicious gourds favored for the cold, dark, wet months. With our nights longer and cooler, it is time to crank up the oven and roast you some squashy deliciousness, filling your whole home with its aroma before you devour it mercilessly. These particular beauties come from Boistfort Valley Farm.

Sweet corn from Alm Hill Gardens at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

More Westside sweet corn has arrived at your Ballard Farmers Market. You’ll find these big, beautiful, sweet ears of corn from Alm Hill Gardens in Everson.

Here is a tip for chosing corn:instead of pulling open the top to see if it is filled out, simply run your thumb over the outside of the husk. You can easily feel the mature kernels inside. See, when you actually tear the corn open, you are actually ruining it either for yourself or the next person, because the minute you do that, all the delicious sugars in it that make it so sweet begin to turn to starch. So please, never tear open the husk to examine it before you buy it. If you need help choosing the best ears, just ask. Our farmers are more than happy to lend you a hand.

Kimchi, Krauts & more from Firefly Kitchens at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

Look who’s back today at your Ballard Farmers Market! It’s Firefly Kitchens, and their awesome selection of naturally fermented vegetables made with great local ingredients. Choose from their award-winning kimchi, their Yin-Yang carrots, or any of their krauts, from the classic kraut that is the friend of hot dogs everywhere, to the brilliant caraway kraut that pairs perfectly with any of the various bratwursts from the farmers in the Market.

Rainbow carrots from Nash’s Organic Produce at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

You may recall that 2013 was a great year for many crops, but a lousy year for carrots. And the carrots for which Nash’s Organic Produce is famous took a particularly bad beating last year. So this year, to hedge their bets, Nash’s planted a lot more carrots. Of course, as Murphy’s Law would have it, 2014 turned out to be a great year for carrots. The result is, Nash’s has lots of their famous carrots now, and they are offering them at a special price today.

Sweet peppers from Colinwood Farm at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

Colinwood Farm is harvesting a bunch of beautiful peppers from their greenhouses in Port Townsend this summer. They have these colorful sweet peppers as well as a great selection of hot peppers. And while it is true that Westside peppers tend not to be as hot as Eastside peppers, even the Westsiders are toasty this year. See, hot peppers get their heat enhanced by the sun. More sun and more heat means hotter peppers. Their poblano peppers are particularly good right now. Enjoy!

Young reishi mushrooms from Ascended Grounds at Ballard Farmers Market. Copyright Zachary D. Lyons.

This is a block of fresh, young reishi mushrooms that were ground by Cascadia Mushrooms for Ascended Grounds. Ascended Grounds then takes these wonderfully medicinal fungi and makes beverages and tinctures that are both delicious and darn good for you. I’m not sure I am versed well enough to do it justice, but they say, “Ascended Grounds transforms what it means to drink a cup of coffee. Using the ascended health practices of ancient masters, we are awakening your mug and your consciousness to upgrade your health and quality of life. Let us introduce you to the incredible synergy of medicinal mushrooms and coffee. Your ‘morning cup of joe’ will never be generic again!” Stop by today for a taste, and for the whole story, at your Ballard Farmers Market!

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.

Sunday, December 29th: We Bid Adieu To 2013!

Bottle-fermented hard ciders from Finnriver Farm & Cidery. Photo copyright 2011 by Zachary D. Lyons.

It’s the end of the year as we know it, and I feel fine! (Um, sorry, REM.) Yes, we’ve hit the bottom of the last page of our 2013 calendars, and now it is time for the one and only day of the year upon which the entire planet takes pause and celebrates. Kind of amazing, really, that the one thing that unites us globally is getting new calendars each year. All over the earth, we will be drinking and dancing and singing and kissing strangers and blowing up fireworks instead of people for just one day.

And that is why I, for one, believe it is time to switch from a 365-day calendar to a one-day calendar. See, if every day was New Year’s Day, and every day was also New Year’s Eve, the world would finally always be at peace. But until we can get world leaders to agree on my new one-day calendar idea, we need to make the most out of our 1-day-in-365 of harmony. So I say, let’s party like its 1999! Hmm. Wait. Bad idea. Let’s just have fun and love one another, no matter one’s nationality, religion, skin color, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or even one’s sports team loyalties. And what better way to kick off the New Year this coming week than with a bottle of the bubbly, as in bottle-fermented Artisan Sparkling Cider from Finnriver Farm & Cidery? This stuff is old-school, and seriously amazing. And it comes complete with its own champagne cork that will go, “pop!”

Dino (lacinato) kale from Stoney Plains Organic Farm. Photo copyright 2013 by Zachary D. Lyons.

Looking for some greens and roughage in your diet after a month of holiday parties and snacks? Stoney Plains Organic Farm has you covered! They effectively use row covers to keep their greens going all winter long. Some of their tasty dino kale sounds pretty good right about now, doesn’t it?

Today is the last day to use your Fresh Bucks coupons at your Ballard Farmers Market. If you receive Food Stamps benefits (SNAP/EBT),  when you use them at the Market, we will match them dollar-for-dollar, up to $10, each time you visit the Market through the end of the 2013. Unfortunately, as I pointed out above, today is the last Market of 2013. So use any remaining Fresh Bucks coupons you have today, or score one last set of them, as long as you use them today. Remember, Fresh Bucks are only good for fresh fruits and vegetables from the farmers here at your Ballard Farmers Market.

The sausages of Sea Breeze Farm. Photo copyright 2012 by Zachary D. Lyons.

You know, nothing says, “Happy New Year!” like sausage. I am not sure exactly how it says it, but I am quite confident that nothing else says it the same way. And that is why you should get yourself some fresh local sausages today from Sea Breeze Farm.

Samish Bay Cheese makes a variety of delicious farmstead cheeses. Photo copyright 2009 by Zachary D. Lyons.

Say cheese! Actually, I’m not sure saying “cheese” is really all that important when you are taking a selfie on New Year’s Eve, but I am certain that adding some of this gorgeous and award-winning artisan cheese from Samish Bay Cheese will make your party much, much better.

Cabbage from Nash’s Organic Produce. Photo copyright 2013 by Zachary D. Lyons.

Whether you are making some homemade kraut, braising it, slawing it, or playing bocce with it, you have to admit that this is some pretty darned spectabulous looking cabbage from Nash’s Organic Produce. Of course, they also have sweet-as-can-be beets and carrots now, too, recently kissed by freezing weather and all sugared up. And why not give some of their less famous roots a try? From sunchokes to rutabagas to golden turnips, Nash’s is rocking the roots right now. Heck, try them all at once with one of their mixed root bags, and grab a copy of their 21 recipes for them.

Pickled salmon from Loki Fish. Photo copyright 2010 by Zachary D. Lyons.

Mmm. Pickled salmon from Loki Fish. Now, that says, “let’s get this party started!” But get it early, as it sells out fast.

Syrups from Soda Jerk Soda. Photo copyright 2013 by Zachary D. Lyons.

Make your own non-alcoholic bubbly with these soda syrups from Soda Jerk Sodas. Or use it as a cocktail mixer. And, of course, you can grab a growler or three of their fresh sodas today at your Ballard Farmers Market, too!

Martini Stix and pickled peppers from Purdy Pickle. Photo copyright 2012 by Zachary D. Lyons.

These carrot martini stix and pickled peppers will certainly spice up your holiday festivities. Get down to Purdy Pickle today, and get your pickle on! They’ve got a great selection of pickles from which to choose.

Fougasse from Tall Grass Bakery. Photo copyright 2011 by Zachary D. Lyons.

And you gotta love olive fougasse from Tall Grass Bakery. Seriously. It is required of you. Mind you, if for some reason, you are one of those rare (and troubled) birds that doesn’t, that just means more for me! I can eat one of these by myself in a single sitting. Happy New Calendars, indeed!

Kimchi, Krauts & more from Firefly Kitchens. Photo copyright 2013 by Zachary D. Lyons.

I seem to have a disproportionate number of fermented products in the year-end countdown, and maybe that is because that last round of glüg and fruitcake feels like it is setting up residency. Now’s a good time for all of us to embrace the fermented, and healing, deliciousness of kimchi and kraut from Ballard’s own Firefly Kitchens. It’s good food that’s good for you, especially after that third plate of holiday cookies.

Fresh kombucha from CommuniTea. Photo copyright 2011 by Zachary D. Lyons.

And why not finish with one last bit of fermented goodness that will pick you up and cure what ails you. Yes, it is kombucha from Communi-Tea Kombucha. Delish. And hey, it will work great for toasting in the New Year, too. It’s got the fizz. It has a little bit of alcohol, but not too much. And it’ll give you an energy boost to help you make it through the wee hours. (And you thought these posts were never helpful. As if.)

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.