In
this issue
Vote for the Bloomington Farmers Market!
We want your vote! Local Harvest, an excellent organic and local food website, has partnered with Care2 Make a Difference, a green living and environmental education organization, to create a summer-long contest called, "Love Your Farmers Market." Everyone is invited to cast one vote for their favorite farmers market. Each vote registers our market for a weekly $250 prize drawing. Vote for the Bloomington Farmers Market today! It's fun and easy to do. The last time I checked, we had seven votes. I'd like to see our market have seven hundred votes by the end of the summer!
Although we have had some unseasonably warm and then cold
weather, the produce looks great thanks to our wonderful farmers. Be sure to see
the Basil Lovers Market Meal Idea below from Sarah Stai of SunKiSS
Gardens. You can find most of the ingredients while you are shopping at the
market. If you have a recipe or meal idea you would like to share, we would love
to consider including it in this newsletter. Please e-mail recipes
and meal ideas to farmersmarket@ci.bloomington.mn.us.
If your recipe is selected, you will receive a complimentary organic cotton Bloomington
Farmers Market tote bag.
Finally, when you visit the market, be sure to take a few moments to enjoy some great music. This Saturday New Roots Duo will be performing from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and next Saturday, July 18th, the Bloomington Chorale will be performing from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. The Bloomington Chorale is a fun and entertaining community based, non-audition, mixed adult chorus which rehearses right here at the Bloomington Center for the Arts.
Meet the Vendor -
Summer Chase Gardens
You would never know that in 1973 when Barbara Sautner moved to
Bloomington from SE Kansas she had no idea what a perennial was. Much
has changed over the past 36 years, now Barbara is known nationally for her expertise
in growing both Siberian Iris and Exotic Lilies. Soon after meeting her
business partner, Bill Dougherty, they created Summer Chase
Gardens. Barbara and Bill are both very involved in a variety
of Iris Societies. They speak professionally to perennial gardeners all
over Minnesota and now, we are fortunate to have their wealth of
expertise at the Bloomington Farmers Market!
After many trips to Europe, Barbara decided she would rather pull weeds than mow the lawn. Inspired by a trip to England, Barbara came home and decided to transform her lawn into a charming English Country Garden. Home to over 3,000 varieties of plants this is also the test garden where Bill and Barbara evaluate how the different plants are doing in our climate.
With an IT background, Bill also has a passion for hybridizing plants. The hybridizing process can take 6-10 years. It takes up to 3 years for a hybridized plant to bloom and another 3 years to evaluate how the plant is doing. Bill is in the process of developing a shorter growing Siberian Iris.
Barbara lives in Bloomington and Bill drives from Fridley
bright and early every Saturday morning to share their unique lilies and perennials
with us at the Farmers Market. Bloomington is the only Market in which they
participate. They have another partner in Owatonna where they have nine
acres to grow many Hostas and Martagon Lilies. Martagon Lilies are
very unique and cost from $10 - $40 for one bulb. They have another growing area
in Osseo, which is home for many of their Siberian Iris.
Many of the lilies you see at the Market came from bulbs that were dug up last fall and refrigerated until February when they start potting them. The lilies are kept indoors and brought into the greenhouse in early spring. The Hostas are dug up early in the spring. Meeting the challenges of our economy, Summer Chase Gardens has a variety of smaller plants this year which are very affordable, they just take a little bit longer to bloom.
If you are interested in adding some unique plants to your garden, stop and
see Summer Chase Gardens. You definitely won't find these varieties at
Home Depot! With a background in education Barbara will be sure to send you home
with specific growing instructions. Summer Chase Gardens will be gone for
most of August due to the commitments they have with several Iris
Societies. They will, however, be back in late August and will have
bulbs for sale throughout the fall. Summer Chase Gardens is
located on the north side of the Market in the center aisle.
Basil Lovers Market Meal Idea!
Celebrate summer with this complete meal idea featuring products from SunKiSS Gardens, Chase Brook Farm, Lorence's Berry Farm, and your favorite baked goods and produce vendors!
Lemon Basil Chicken
Combine 1/8 cup each of fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped lemon basil for each skinned/boned chicken breast half you'd like to prepare. Add 1 green onion, ½ tablespoon white wine vinegar, and a dash of pepper. Marinade chicken in the refrigerator for at least 45 minutes, then cook in skillet with additional olive oil or grill. Adapted from Southern Living.
Strawberry-Basil Salad
For each cup of salad you'd like to serve, whisk 1/3 tablespoon each of olive oil and balsamic vinegar and add salt and pepper to taste. For each serving, toss 1 cup of fresh lettuce with ¼ cup sliced strawberries, 1 tablespoon chopped sweet onion, and 1 tablespoon lettuce leaf basil or cinnamon basil. Add dressing and toss salad to coat. Adapted from Cooking Light.
Fresh Bread with Red Rubin Basil Butter
Add ¼ cup finely chopped Red Rubin basil and 1 clove minced garlic to a stick of softened butter (Chase Brook will be bringing fresh cream butter this week). Blend and chill until ready to use, then serve with fresh bread. Use the rest later for cooked vegetables or pasta! Adapted from Burpee Home Gardens.
Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in volunteering at the Farmers Market we can use your help!
Please contact Jill Murphy 952.563.8889 or Keri Lahl at farmersmarket@ci.bloomington.mn.us for more
information. You can also help us spread the word about the great local food
and activities happening at the Bloomington Farmers Market by
posting a Farmers Market sign at your church, workplace or favorite
coffee shop. Print the 8.5" X 11" sign yourself or pick up a copy at
the City's information tent.
Hours
Market hours are 8:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.; for safety and fairness there is NO shopping
before 8:00 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 Handicap Parking only. There is plenty of Free
Parking on the West Side of Civic Plaza and it is a great way to see what is new inside
the building. There is also parking across the street at Public Works and VEAP.
We are looking forward to seeing you on Saturday!
Best regards,
Keri Lahl
Market Coordinator
