Voted Tacoma's Super-Best Farmers' Market by readers of the Weekly Volcano

 

Saturday, July 26th- Farm Fresh Summer Produce- The Market is bursting with July's seasonal vegetables.  Here's a list of just some of the wonderful local produce that's now available for your summer meals -- or for canning, pickling or freezing: Alvarez Organic Farms: "Sweet Treat" Sweet Corn Cottage Gardens: Heirloom Tomatoes, Mixed Cherry Tomato Cups, 10" Hanging Cherry Tomato Baskets (pick thru October!) L'Arche Farm & Gardens: Summer Squash, Tomatoes, Beets Lattin's Country Cider Mill & Farm: Summer Squash, Golden Beets, Kale, Pickling Cucumbers, Peas (final week!) Little Eorthe Farm: Purple Beans, Fava Beans, Red Onions, Walla Walla Onions (and plums) Rising River Farm: Pickling Cucumbers, Green Beans, Carrots Zestful Gardens: Summer Squash, Tomatoes, Parcel (a parsley/celery combo), Purslane, Lettuces, Onions, Cukes, Beets   Just picked Lettuce and Summer Squash are just a few of the produce selections now available weekly at the Market!  The Market is open every Saturday,   rain or shine, from 9a.m. to 2p.m.        Tasting Booth -   Free Samples & Sales Propolis Brewing    Herbal Ales inspired by old world tradition and new world ingenuity     Propolis was established in June of 2012 with the sole intent to produce high-quality handcrafted herbal ales inspired by old world tradition, local resources and the rhythms of nature. Propolis ales are brewed with various wild-crafted herbs and are seasonally based.       Many of the Propolis Ales blend several styles, and are hard to classify by those that prescribe to the standards.  Propolis is unique, as their ales are primarily inspired by the farmhouse tradition of France and Belgium, as well as old world Ales that no longer exist.       This will be Propolis Brewing's first visit to the Market.  Please stop by and say hello.  As self described artists and scientists at heart who aspire to challenge the norm, they invite you to try and buy some of their seasonal, handcrafted ales available this Saturday at the Market:   Birch Tree Saison Spruce Saison Litha, Chamomile Golden* *WA State Medal Winner  Propolis Ale - perfect for a summer day.    Local Mushrooms- how they grow, and who grows them Christian Kaelin, who with his wife Ria, owns Provisions Mushroom Farm, is shown above in a photo taken this spring at the Market. Here is a link to a very interesting article written by Craig Sailor (The News Tribune, July 23, 2014) on local mushroom growing.  One of the article's featured mushroom farmers is Proctor Farmers' Market vendor Christian Kaelin, who with his wife, Ria, own Provisions Mushroom Farm.  The farm is nestled in the woods on 5 acres near Capitol State Forest in Olympia, WA. Learn more about how the Kaelin's harvest both cultivated and wild mushrooms on their farm, bringing a variety of fresh picked mushrooms to the Proctor Farmers' Market year-around: Shedding light on mushrooms in advance of Lacey's fungi fest Growing finicky fungi are more science than art, but they are worth it, say local experts By CRAIG SAILOR     The Market is open from 9am - 2pm,   every Saturday, rain or shine.   EBT Cards, WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons welcome. Join Our Mailing List and receive updates and coupons » JOIN NOW For Email Newsletters you can trust Subcribe to our Newsletter (click on the blue box above), and get the latest information and updates on what's happening at the Proctor Farmers' Market!     ***     Vineyard & Orchard Day - Special Discounts this Saturday, July 12th!  The Market will celebrate local wines, cider, and fruit with the first annual Vineyard & Orchard Day this Saturday. The following participating vendors will have "Vineyard & Orchard Day" booth signs posted with their discounts for the day:    Wine & Cider:  (Free tastings and onsite sales)  Eaglemount Wine and Cider  Stina's Cellars   White Heron Cellars  Orchard Fruits:  Lattin's Country Cider Mill & Farm   Martin Family Orchards   RP Guerrero Farm  Tiny's Organic  "Make Your Own Wines"   (fruit bearing shrubs, trees & perennials)   Calendula Farm  Like meats, fish, cheese and desserts, many fruits also pair well with different wines and ciders.  Right now, delicious apples, cherries, apricots, and several kinds of berries are available at the Market.  Fruit of the season, served with wine or cider makes an excellent  appetizer, dessert, or light meal on these beautiful, warm summer days.  Just ask our vendors for the perfect pairing recommendations, or use your own imagination!    Vendor Of the Week: Colvin Ranch  Fred & Katherine Colvin, Colvin Ranch The Colvin Ranch is a family owned and operated cattle ranch located in south Thurston County, Washington, near the small town of Tenino. The ranch was homesteaded by Ignatius Colvin, who came to Washington on the Oregon Trail in 1851 from Boone County, Missouri, and is one of the oldest ranches in the county still owned by the original family.    Today, Fred and Katherine Colvin are the 4th generation to run the cattle ranch which raises grass fed and grass finished beef.  Their cattle is raised entirely on grass pastures and hay in the winter when the grass is not growing.  They never give their cattle additives such as hormones or antibiotics.       Since grass is the natural food for cattle, you can be confident that Colvin Ranch cattle are always healthy.  Grass fed and grass finished beef is healthier, containing extra Omega 3s, the good fats, higher levels of CLA which helps to fight cancer, more Vitamin E, and fewer total calories and fats.       The Colvin Ranch also has pasture raised pork available, and both their beef and pork is available for purchase in a variety of ways.  Beef can be ordered by the half, quarter, or box.  Pork is available by the whole, half, or box.       For those who may want a smaller quantity of Colvin Ranch meats, Fred and Katherine want you to know that you are always welcome to stop by their booth and purchase individual cuts, available every week at the Market.               Some of the individual cuts from Colvin Ranch that are available weekly at the Market: (l to r) New York Steak, Rib Steak, Ground Beef              Fred and Katherine Colvin Colvin Ranch "Grass Fed, Grass Finished...Naturally"    www.colvinranch.com fred2colvinranch.com        The Market is open from 9am - 2pm,   every Saturday, rain or shine.     EBT Cards, WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons welcome.  Join Our Mailing List and receive updates and coupons » JOIN NOW For Email Newsletters you can trust Subcribe to our Newsletter (click on the blue box above), and get the latest information and updates on what's happening at the Proctor Farmers' Market!   ***           Happy 4th of July!  "U.S. Flag":nixxphotography The Market is open Saturday, July 5th, from 9am-2pm for all your holiday weekend shopping needs: *  Farm Fresh Produce Seasonal Berries Cut Flowers Pastured Meats Local Cheese & Eggs Wild Caught Fish Bread, Pasta & Pastries Garden Perennials Honey & Jams Trees & Shrubs Herb & Veggie Starts Delicious Prepared Foods    *   Tasting Booth - July 5th Wine Samples & Sales     This Saturday's Tasting Booth guest will be White Heron Cellars, whose vineyard and winery site overlooks the Columbia River.       Owner Cameron Fries will offer samples and sales of the following fine wines that are only available at their winery or select farmers markets:    Chardonnay Roussanne Rosé of Syrah Syrah   Trinidad White (a sweet Roussanne)    *New this month* Mariposa Vineyard Red  (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc)   View of the White Heron Cellars vineyard, located  in the ghost town of Trinidad, between Quincy and Wenatchee, above the Columbia River.   MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Vineyard & Orchard Day, next Saturday, July 12th Wine & Hard Cider Tasting with Special Discounts from participating wine, cider, and fruit vendors!     Vendor Of the Week: Sophia's Blueberry Farm  George and Megan Delgado, of Sophia's Blueberry Farm Sophia's Blueberry Farm is family owned and located in the fertile Puyallup valley.     The farm was first welcomed by the family in 1996, at which time it was in need of severe upkeep and TLC. It wasn't until about 2001 that Sophia, only 11 years old at the time, had the ambitious idea of selling their blueberries at local farmers markets near Puyallup.     The customers at the Proctor Farmers' Market have enjoyed Sophia's Blueberries for over a decade, and look with excited anticipation every year for June and the arrival of Sophia's delicious, deep indigo berries that are spray free, and highly nutritious.       The varieties of blueberries grown by Sophia's Blueberry Farm include Early Blue, Duke, Jersey,  Arora, and Dixie. There are over 3,000 bushes of berries on the four acres of land; some of the farm's blueberry bushes have been rooted for over 50 years!     The farm also has a greenhouse flourishing with fig trees, and the fresh picked figs are available at the Market during the peak of Summer.   George and Megan are now at the Market every week with blueberries sold in 1/2 pints, full pints, and flats.  They are happy to answer any questions about their blueberries, which are fully ripened on the bush, and brought straight from the farm to you, sweet and ready to eat.  Stop by, visit, and enjoy the local blueberries from Sophia's Blueberry Farm!               Sophia's Blueberries are sold in 1/2 pints, full pints, and 1/2 flats.   Sophia's Blueberries, which are grown spray free, are perfect for a snack or in your favorite recipes.    George & Megan Delgado Sophia's Blueberry Farm Puyallup, WA     Stop by and visit George & Megan at the Sophia's Blueberry Farm Booth     The Market is open from 9am - 2pm,   every Saturday, rain or shine.     EBT Cards, WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons welcome.  Join Our Mailing List and receive updates and coupons » JOIN NOW For Email Newsletters you can trust Subcribe to our Newsletter (click on the blue box above), and get the latest information and updates on what's happening at the Proctor Farmers' Market!   ***     Berries & Cherries - now at the Market!  This Saturday we will have strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and cherries at the Market.  Be sure to shop early -- they sell fast! Just picked strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and cherries now available at the Market!         The Market is open from 9am - 2pm,   every Saturday, rain or shine.     Tasting Booth - June 28, 2014 Wine Samples & Sales     Eaglemount started their winery in 2006 in Port Townsend, on the Olympic Peninsula in northwest Washington State.  They own one of the original homesteads in the area and started making wine and then hard cider from the wonderful heirloom apples from the homestead orchard in 1996.      Eaglemount's rep, Dayna, will be available all day Saturday to help you pick the perfect hard cider or premium wine for your July 4th celebration. Be sure and stop by to try and buy some of the following:   Hard Ciders: Apple Mead Quince Cider (newly bottled)  Homestead Semisweet   Ginger Cider  Raspberry Hopped   Premium Varietal and Blended Red Wines:  Eaglemount Red*   (signature blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah) Osprey (a Merlot based Bordeaux blend)   Syrah* Raptor* *Gold medal award winners at the  June 2014 Seattle Wine Awards!         Vendor Of the Week: Cottage Gardens  Jim O'Neill in the Cottage Gardens greenhouse.   Cottage Gardens plant farm is a family owned and operated 5-acre farm in Graham. Owned by Jim and Ann O'Neill, Jim grew up on the land that he and Ann are farming, and in 1999 they started selling plants and produce at several local farmers markets. Initially they grew ornamental plants in one small wood-framed greenhouse, and over the years they have expanded to two greenhouses and six cold frames, with an emphasis on growing food. Cottage Gardens believes that growing food in the Northwest is a three season affair --  cool crops in the early spring, warm crops starting in mid-May, and cool crops again in late summer. Their vegetable starts are offered only at the right time to plant, and Jim is always happy to offer information to help you and your garden succeed.   Cottage Garden's large greenhouse is dedicated mostly to tomato production, and the O'Neill's raise plants and hanging baskets for sale at the market, and heirloom and cherry tomatoes in raised beds for produce sales throughout the summer and fall.  Jim and Ann want everyone to know this year's tomato crop is coming on and they're just starting to see color on many of the plants. Their colorful cherry tomato cups and heirloom tomatoes will be coming soon! Cottage Gardens also grows herbs, fruit-bearing plants, ground covers, summer perennials, unusual succulents, and some ornamental landscape plants. Please look for Cottage Gardens on Facebook for updates, and to see what is happening at the farm and what is heading to the Proctor Farmers' Market!                                'Stupice' tomatoes, showing color, will soon be at the Market!                      Hanging Cherry Tomato Baskets, beautiful and food bearing, now available at the Cottage Garden's booth.   Jim and Ann O'Neill Cottage Gardens      The Market is open from 9am - 2pm,   every Saturday, rain or shine.   EBT Cards, WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons welcome.  Join Our Mailing List and receive updates and coupons » JOIN NOW For Email Newsletters you can trust Subcribe to our Newsletter (click on the blue box above), and get the latest information and updates on what's happening at the Proctor Farmers' Market!   ***     Celebrate June's Market Bounty June is a happening month at the Market, as early summer's bounty continues to arrive weekly.  This Saturday you will find a complete range of ornamental and edible plants for your landscape, garden and home......you can also shop for flowers, freshly picked local produce and fruit, strawberries, farm-raised meats, organic cheese, just caught fish, eggs, pickles, honey, wine, coffee, delicious prepared and artisan foods, ice cream and baked goods.   Tasting Booth - June 21, 2014 Wine Samples & Sales   Eaglemount started their winery in 2006 in Port Townsend, on the Olympic Peninsula in northwest Washington State.  They own one of the original homesteads in the area and started making wine and then hard cider from the wonderful heirloom apples from the homestead orchard in 1996.      This Saturday, Eaglemount's very knowledgeable rep, Dayna will be in our Tasting Booth, and plans to offer the following to try and buy:      Hard Ciders: Rhubarb Cider (new!) Quince Cider (newly bottled) Homestead Semisweet Homestead Dry  Cyser (a honey cider)* Ginger Cider  Boot Brawl   Raspberry Hopped   Premium Varietal and Blended Red Wines:  Eaglemount Red * Osprey Syrah* Raptor* *Gold medal award winners at the  June 2014 Seattle Wine Awards! Eaglemount Wine and Cider Award-winning Wines and Hard Ciders from  Washington's Olympic Peninsula       Vendor Of the Week: Mountain Muesli  left to right: Mountain Muesli staff May Jacob & Patrick Monaghan, with owner/founder Christopher Young Mountain Muesli's return to the Proctor Farmers' Market has been met with a huge welcome.  Greatly missed by market-goers, they are again at the Market every Saturday, providing customers with locally made "cereals that are great any time of the day and snack bites to give you energy at work or play."   Mountain Muesli is a family-run company founded in 2011 by Chris Young, a stay-at-home dad with a passion for good food. After eating a delicious muesli cereal in Europe, Chris developed his own recipe at home, drawing on a wealth of knowledge about nutrition and food. It was so popular with family and friends that he started a company dedicated to delicious food that is truly healthy. Gluten free cereals were soon followed by Minis, bite-sized snacks that are great fuel for people on the go. The company's current motto is "Absurdly Good" because people can't believe that something so healthy tastes so good.   The good news for market goers is that Chris Young is adding a new line of products to his company, including gluten free cookies and crispy rice treats!. Mountain Muesli will be changing their name to Paradise Foods NW to reflect the increasing variety of delicious and healthy products they will be offering, and will continue to make all their products by hand in their kitchen on Tacoma's Hilltop.     Chris is very proud that all his company's products satisfy so many people, from toddlers to elite athletes to active seniors, and he hopes to continue serving our community for many years to come. His company's new slogan expresses his wish for you: eat well, feel well, live well.     Mountain Muesli's gluten free products include (above, top to bottom, left to right): Cereals: Cranberry Hazelnut, Island Time, Blueberry Walnut, Cinnamon Raisin, Cherry Almond. Minis: Cherry Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Almond.               One of Chris Young's delectable new products now available at the Market: Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies! The Market is open from 9am - 2pm,   every Saturday, rain or shine.   EBT Cards, WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons welcome.  Join Our Mailing List and receive updates and coupons » JOIN NOW For Email Newsletters you can trust Subcribe to our Newsletter (click on the blue box above), and get the latest information and updates on what's happening at the Proctor Farmers' Market!                    Father's Day is this Sunday,   June 15th!   If you're looking for a Father's Day gift with a difference, the Market has Gift Certificates, landscape plants, flowers, wine, specialty foods, and more for that special Dad on your list.     The Early Summer Bounty is here! Revel in the sights and smells of a wide variety of veggies, fruits, flowers, and plants now available every week at the Market.......you can also find meats, cheese, just caught fish, eggs, pickles, honey and freshly prepared foods and baked goods.   Freshly picked greens   Golden & Red Beets   Cherries are in!   Tasting Booth - June 14, 2014 Wine Samples & Sales    Stina's Cellars is a Lakewood, WA winery, family owned and operated by Perry, Penny, and Ethan Preston (along with the help of lots of family and friends). Stina's  prides themselves on their focus of producing small lots of high quality wines at affordable prices.     This week, Perry will offer both samples and sales of wines produced from grapes grown in eastern and western Washington: 2011 Roussanne 2013 Rebus Red 2008 Sangiovese 2010 Baco Noir 2008 Cabernet Franc 2010 Pinot Noir   Vendor Of the Week: - New to the Market - Arista Pasta and Specialty Foods  Sara Alexandre, co-owner of Arista Pasta and Specialty Foods with Chef Ben Herreid, pictured here with husband Craig.    The company name "Arista" comes from the Greek language and means simply "the best", and the quality pasta and sauces that Arista Pasta and Specialty Foods bring to the Proctor Farmers' Market every week are great tasting food that's prepared fresh with the highest quality ingredients -- bringing fine dining to the home cook. Chef Ben Herreid founded Arista Pasta and Specialty Foods in April 2013.  It made sense to begin offering freshly made pasta alongside fresh pesto, vinaigrettes and compound butters he was already selling for Marzano Italian Restaurant at the Puyallup Farmers Market booth.  Starting as an entry level prep-cook at Marzano Italian Restaurant, Ben proceeded to work his way up to the Chef position.  He completed Washington State culinary apprenticeship program and under Elisa Marzano's tutelage he learned to cook outstanding northern Italian cuisine.  After years of practice, trial and error, Ben brought fresh pasta and ravioli to the Marzano menu and expanded the farmers market offerings to include these items under his own brand Arista Pasta.   Chef Ben has now decided to venture into creating his own business with his sister-in-law Sara Alexandre.  She has a passion for people, good food and management.  Together, Ben and Sara are building a family business dedicated to bringing fresh pasta and specialty foods from their kitchen to your table.    Arista's variety of extruded pastas are made and sold fresh, unlike the commonly found "fresh" pasta sold at grocery stores which has been previously frozen and is offered in very limited flavors. Arista's handmade ravioli (which takes years of experience and skill to make) is a truly artisan ravioli filled with quality cheeses and vegetables locally sourced. Arista's specialty sauces are the perfect accompaniment to their fresh pastas and handmade ravioli. Don't miss a visit to Arista Pasta and Specialty Foods.  Sara, and husband Craig are always more than happy to offer expert culinary advice to Market-goers, and help them match the perfect pasta (including gluten free!) with the perfect sauce for the perfect meal!      Tempt your taste buds with Arista Pasta and Specialty Foods (left to right: fresh Bignoli pasta (gluten free); Rosemary Asiago Polenta; handmade Spinach Rocotta & Romano Ravioli (gluten free).   Just a few of Arista's specialty sauces (left to right: Basil Walnut Pesto; Romesco Sauce; Broccoli Rabe & Pine Nut Pesto)   Arista Pasta and Specialty Foods aristapasta.com       Join Our Mailing List and receive updates and coupons » JOIN NOW For Email Newsletters you can trust Subcribe to our Newsletter (click on the blue box above), and get the latest information and updates on what's happening at the Proctor Farmers' Market                                                                                 KIDS DAY IS THIS SATURDAY, June 7th!     Please make sure and join us for this annual Event, featuring fun and music for kids from: Wolf Camp, Outdoor Wilderness Experts: rope making, wilderness cooking, herbal medicines & more; find out about Summer Day & Overnight Youth Camps! Commencement Bay Academy: stamping, fruit art, puzzles, and a water table! The Anna Lemon Wheelock Library,: Button making, coloring pages, and learn about the Summer Reading Club, and the prizes kids can win! Coldwell Banker Bain: planting activity (with colorful beans!) Nick Peterson will provide special kid's focused musical entertainment and sing-a longs including "Old MacDonald Had A Farm" and other favorites.     Tasting Booth -  Wine Samples & Sales       Saturday's Tasting Booth guest will be White Heron Cellars, whose vineyard and winery site overlooks the Columbia River.       Owner Cameron Fries will offer samples and sales of the following fine wines that are only available at their winery or select farmers markets:     Chardonnay  Roussanne  Rosé of Syrah  Syrah  and  Trinidad White   (a sweet white made from Roussanne)      Market News:   This Saturday, June 7th, please visit and welcome: New Vendor: The Blooming Artichoke Herbary   "Blooming Artichoke Herbary Offers a herbal education, plants and so much more"   and   Returning Vendor: Mountain Muesli "We make cereals that are great any time of the day and snack bites to give you energy at work or play."     Join Our Mailing List and receive updates and coupons » JOIN NOW For Email Newsletters you can trust Subcribe to our Newsletter (click on the blue box above), and get the latest information and updates on what's happening at the Proctor Farmers' Market             Strawberries-Fresh, Local, and Healthy, now at the Market!  Strawberries, are an excellent source of vitamin C; a one cup serving provides more than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin C. Always a sure sign of summer, strawberries are coming in early this year. This Saturday, several vendors will have beautiful, just picked strawberries available for your smoothies, desserts, salads, jams, jellies, preserves, or just to enjoy out of a bowl!   Also Arriving this Week: Sugar Snap Peas, plus Garlic Scapes, Beets, Spring Garlic and Salad Onions!     Mark Your Calendar: Kids Day is next Saturday, June 7th! An annual Event, featuring fun for kids from: Wolf Camp, Outdoor Wilderness Experts, Commencement Bay Academy,  The Anna Lemon Wheelock Library, and Coldwell Banker Bain.     Tasting Booth -  Sat., May 31st Wine Samples & Sales         Eaglemount started their winery in 2006 in Port Townsend, on the Olympic Peninsula in northwest Washington State.  They own one of the original homesteads in the area and started making wine and then hard cider from the wonderful heirloom apples from the homestead orchard in 1996.      This Saturday, Eaglemount's very knowledgeable rep, Dayna will be in our Tasting Booth, and plans to offer the following to try and buy:    Hard ciders: Quince Cider (newly bottled) Homestead Semisweet  Cyser (a honey cider)  Ginger Cider  Boot Brawl   Raspberry Hopped   Premium varietal and blended red wines:  Eaglemount Red  Syrah Raptor         Vendor Of the Week New to the Market: Abeille Baking Co. Bianca Sanders, owner/operator of Abeille Baking Co., with husband Casey Beach in their booth at the Proctor Farmers' Market. Bianca Sanders is the owner/operator of Abeille Baking Co., one of this season's new vendors at the Market.  Abeille specializes in French inspired pastries with Italian soul. Bianca's Parisian macarons, artisanal pastries, and other sweet treats have been a huge hit, and there is often a line of market-goers waiting patiently to purchase some of her exquisitely made confections.   There is no doubt that this company, which brings a little bit of France to Tacoma, will continue to grow, as word spreads about their amazing pastries.  Be sure and stop by the Abeille Baking Co. booth this Saturday, meet Bianca and her husband, Casey, and check out what they have for you to bring home and enjoy!   Parisian Macarons, perfect in every way, from Abeille Baking Co.       Join Our Mailing List and receive updates and coupons » JOIN NOW For Email Newsletters you can trust Subcribe to our Newsletter (click on the blue box above), and get the latest information and updates on what's happening at the Proctor Farmers' Market         Memorial Day is Monday, May 26th!   Part of a traditional Memorial Day observance is a dinner or outdoor barbeque with family and friends.  Besides being a day of remembrance, it's the official beginning of summer, and the Market has all you need for a great celebration!  Shop this Saturday for pasture raised chicken, beef, pork,and wild caught fish for the grill, and everything else needed for the holiday, including locally grown produce, cheese, eggs, honey, fruits, flowers, plants, sauces, dressings, cider and wine, baked goods, ice cream, and so much more.      The Market is open from 9am - 2pm,   every Saturday, rain or shine.        Tasting Booth - May 24, 2014 Wine Samples & Sales                         Eaglemount started their winery in 2006 in Port Townsend, on the Olympic Peninsula in northwest Washington State.  They own one of the original homesteads in the area and started making wine and then hard cider from the wonderful heirloom apples from the homestead orchard in 1996.     As Eaglemount's passion for winemaking blossomed, they found premium wine grapes from small eastern Washington vineyards.  Their underground cellar proved to be the perfect place to age the wines.       This Saturday, Eaglemount will be our Tasting Booth guest, and plan to offer the following selections:      Hard ciders will include:  Quince Cider (newly bottled) Homestead Semisweet  Homestead Dry  Cyser (a honey cider)  Ginger Cider  Boot Brawl (a hopped cider and a silver medal winner in the 2013 Sunset International Wine Competition) Raspberry Hopped Premium varietal and blended red wines:  Eaglemount Red  Raptor  Osprey  Syrah  Malbec

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Proctor Farmers' Market is pleased to present

a one-day Health & Wellness Event! 

 

This Saturday, May 17th, from 9am - 2pm, eight Tacoma-based specialists in holistic care, fitness and nutrition will be providing on-site information and demonstrations. 

Participating local businesses include:

Community Acupuncture Studio, Puget Sound Family Health, Fleet Feet Sports Tacoma, Northwest Float Center, Seeking Balance - Ayurveda & Massage, Trilium Health, Nutritionist Robin Beeson, and the Source Yoga Studio. 

 

All are welcome -- this event is free and open to the public!

 

 

The Market is open from 9am - 2pm,  

every Saturday, rain or shine.

 

 

 

 

Tasting Booth -
May 17, 2014
Wine Samples & Sales 

 

Stina's Cellars is a Lakewood, WA winery, family owned and operated by Perry, Penny, and Ethan Preston (along with the help of lots of family and friends). Stina's  prides themselves on their focus of producing small lots of high quality wines at affordable prices. 

  

This week, Perry will offer both samples and sales of wines produced from grapes grown in eastern and western Washington:

• 2012 Siegerebbe
• 2013 Rebus Red
• 2008 Sangiovese
• 2010 Baco Noir
• 2008 Cabernet Franc  

 

 

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Subcribe to our Newsletter (click on the blue box above), and get the latest information and updates on what's happening at the Proctor Farmers' Market

 

 

 

 

Vendor Of the Week:

Saturday, May 17, 2014

New to the Market: Windy Point Sea Farm

pictured: Tom Knackstedt, who with his wife Mary, owns Windy Point Sea Farm

 

Located on the western shore of Totten Inlet, Windy Point Sea Farm has been providing oysters and clams to wholesale distributors since 2002. Windy Point works about three acres of tidelands, and owners Tom and Mary Knackstedt do all the planting, harvesting, and marketing themselves.

 

Presently they are cultivating Pacific and Kumamoto oysters and Manila clams. The Proctor Farmers' Market is their first foray into direct sales to the public and Tom and Mary are delighted with the response to their products.Tom says, "it is our goal to present the freshest possible shellfish from beach to market."

 

Tom is recently retired from industrial sales and work with rural water districts. He is a state certified water distribution manager and now devotes his time to the Windy Point Sea Farm shellfish enterprise. Mary is currently working for the state of Washington on environmental and health issues in Puget Sound and the Salish Sea. It was her background in marine management that led Tom and Mary to establish their own aquaculture venture.  

 

As new vendors, Tom and Mary wish to thank the members of the community, merchants, and management of the Proctor Farmers Market for the opportunity to participate in our weekly event, and the Market is very pleased to welcome Windy Point Sea Farm and their beautiful, fresh and local shellfish to the Market on a regular basis.

 

shown below from Windy Point Sea Farm: (L) Pacific Oysters and the smaller, rounder Kumo Oysters (R) Manila Clams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remember Mom with a gift from the

Proctor Farmers' Market! 

Sunday May 11th is Mother's Day, and we could go on and on

with all the gift possibilities available at the Market. 

 

Here are a few to get you started: 

*Complete Dinner from the Market

Show Mom how much you appreciate her with a complete dinner.  In one stop you can shop for everything you need to treat her to a scrumptious meal - from appetizers, to soup, entrees, wine, dessert and coffee - all fresh and local from the Proctor Farmers' Market.

(check out our list of Vendors to help plan your menu!).

 

*Seasonal Flower Bouquets 

*Blooming Landscape Plants

*Fragrant Hanging Baskets

 

*Veggie Starts

Give Mom the vegetable garden of her dreams

with a gift of veggie starts and your time to help her dig!

 

*Gift Certificates

are available at the Market Info Booth in any denomination.

 

The Market is open from 9am - 2pm, every Saturday, rain or shine.

 

Tasting Booth -

May 10, 2014
Wine Samples & Sales 

 

This Saturday's Tasting Booth guest will be the popular White Heron Cellars, whose vineyard and winery site overlooks the Columbia River.    

 

Owner Cameron Fries will offer samples and sales of the following fine wines that are only available at their winery or select farmers markets:   

• Roussanne
• Rosé of Syrah
• Malbec
• Syrah 

 

Subscribe to our Newsletter (click on the blue box below), and get the latest information and updates on what's happening at the Market.

 

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Kale Quiche Ingredients Include:

1 Tbsp butter

½ cup finely chopped onion

1 bunch kale

Sauté in skillet for about 5 minutes, or until onions are translucent and kale is wilted. Set aside.

 

Mix together the next 4 ingredients:

3 farm fresh eggs, slightly beaten

2 cups cream

½ lb Swiss cheese, cut small

 

Line a 9" pie pan or quiche dish with your favorite pastry. Mix all ingredients together and pour into lined quiche dish. Bake 10 minutes at 450, then reduce to 325 and cook until center is firm (about 25 minutes). Serve with a fresh fruit compote.  

 

Enjoy the foods of the season!

Recipe and photographs courtesy of Ann O'Neill, Cottage Gardens

Please Send Us Your Recipes -  

The Cookbook Committee is currently seeking original recipes from our Market patrons for possible inclusion in the

2014 20th Anniversary Proctor Farmers' Market Cookbook!

In addition to Vendor recipes, we feel it is important to have our customers represented in our inaugural cookbook, tentatively slated for publication in Summer, 2014.

Do you have a favorite recipe that uses some fresh, local ingredients from the Proctor Farmers' Market?  If you do, we'd like to see it!

We need seasonal recipes, that are original (not from a cookbook). 

Please feel free to submit your recipes (or any questions!) via email by May 15th to pfmarket@proctorfarmers.com for consideration.  If accepted for the cookbook, your recipe will receive named credit .  Please be sure to include all pertinent information with your submission, including name, phone number, and recipe title!

Notification of whether or not your recipe is selected will be by email in 2014.

Thank you!  

Bringing you Fresh, Local, Sustainable food, live music and community EVERY SATURDAY till Christmas

 

photo:freedigitalphotos.net

Santa will be at the Market this Saturday, December 21st!

Photos with Santa for People and Pets! 

Come to the KID's BOOTH and have a photo taken with Santa this Saturday, Dec. 21st.  Bring the kids, or the entire family, including your four-legged friends (pets welcome!) --  

for a special day at the Market.  

5X7" color photos by Chip Von Gilder are complimentary,
but donations will be gladly accepted! 

•  

Tasting Booth -

Free Samples & Sales  

Finnriver Farm & Cidery is back this week for our final market of the season.  If you missed them on Dec. 7th, they will again be in our Tasting Booth with free tastings and sales of some of Finnriver's seasonal and featured selections for holiday meals or gift giving:

Winter Seasonal Botanical Hard Cider: Cranberry Rosehip:

This seasonal cider captures the harvest spirit and features the lively fermented apple with tart, organic cranberries and wildcrafted rose hips from the Olympic Peninsula.  With succulent herbal notes and crimson color, this semi-sweet craft cider is the perfect pairing for a holiday feast! 

 

Spirited Apple Wine: The wholesome apple may surprise you with the sultry side revealed in this sumptuous spirited apple wine, handcrafted on Finnrivers's Olympic Peninsula family farm. After fermenting the fruit, the tantalizing sweetness of the apples is captured by fortifying with custom-distilled apple brandy.  May this bottle of Finnriver Spirited Wine bring you warmth and good cheer.    

 

Pear Wine with Apple Brandy:

Finnriver handcrafted this sumptuous fruit wine by blending their custom-distilled apple brandy with the sweet essence of organic Pears. Enjoy the vital warmth of the apple and the decadent summer-ripened flavors in an elegant bottle of brandy wine.

Finnriver selection of ciders and fruit wines

Market Recipe -

photo:freedigitalphotos.net

Call for Original Recipes: Do you have a favorite recipe that uses many of the fresh, local ingredients from the Proctor Farmers' Market?  If you do, see details below on how to submit for possible inclusion in our 2014 20th Anniversary Proctor Farmers' Market Cookbook!

 



Market Shopping List:

This week while at the market pick up:

2 or 3 potatoes

1 bunch Swiss chard or kale

Shallots

Garlic

Fresh farm eggs

Sausage or bacon (as a side)

Clean and cut the first four ingredients into small pieces. In a skillet place 1 Tbsp butter, and 1 Tbsp olive oil, add the first four, toss to coat and cook until almost tender, over medium heat.



Beat eggs (4 work well), add 1/4 cup milk, salt and pepper to taste. Pour over cooked veggies, sprinkle with Costco's Italian seasoning, lower temperature and cover until eggs are puffy and solid. Serve with farm fresh sausage or bacon as a side.


Enjoy the foods of the season!

Recipe and photographs courtesy of Ann O'Neill, Cottage Gardens

Call for Original Recipes -  

The Cookbook Committee is currently seeking original recipes from our Market patrons for possible inclusion in the

2014 20th Anniversary Proctor Farmers' Market Cookbook!

In addition to Vendor recipes, we feel it is important to have our customers represented in our inaugural cookbook, tentatively slated for publication in Summer, 2014.

Do you have a favorite recipe that uses fresh, local ingredients from the Proctor Farmers' Market?  If you do, we'd like to see it!

We need seasonal recipes, that are original (not from a cookbook). 

Please feel free to submit your recipes (or any questions!) via email by January 15th to pfmarket@proctorfarmers.com for consideration.  If accepted for the cookbook, your recipe will receive named credit .  Please be sure to include all pertinent information with your submission, including name, phone number, and recipe title!

Notification of whether or not your recipe is selected will be by email in 2014.

Thank you!  

Don't Forget - The Market Is Open Every Saturday Until December 21st!   Many of our customers have been stopping by the Market Booth asking how long the Market will be open this year.   We want everyone to know that, as Pierce County's only 4-season farmers' market, we will be open every Saturday until Dec. 21st -- rain, snow or shine -- for fresh, local vegetables, fruits, meats, cheese, wine, plants, flowers, breads, eggs, and more: 2013:   Open until December 21st,  Saturdays, 9am-2pm   2014:  Winter Season:   Open second Saturdays: Jan. 11th, Feb. 8th, Mar. 8th,  10am-1pm March 29th, 2014:  regular season resumes! Saturdays, 9am-2pm	This Week!    Live Music: 9:00 - 11:00: James Coates 12:00 - 2:00:   Gary Hausam   Tasting Booth: White Heron Cellars Upcoming at the Kid's Booth: Saturday, Nov. 30th,  Ft. Nisqually Foundation:Father Christmas and coloring print outs to take home! Upcoming Event:  December 21st: Santa Parade! Sponsor Booth:  State Farm / Stephanie Jordan, Agent Weather Forecast Sunny, high of 45 degrees.
Market Recipe- How To Make   Homemade Pumpkin Pie   (from scratch!)                 It is officially Pumpkin Pie season, and Thanksgiving is next Thursday, so now is the perfect time to make a pumpkin pie from scratch.   Pick up a pie (sugar) pumpkin from the Proctor Farmers' Market. Don't worry about size (you will need 1 ½ cups puree for a 9" pie), because any leftover puree can be frozen for soup, bread or muffins to be made later.   Prepare you favorite recipe for one unbaked 9" pie shell, and then follow this easy two step process for the pie filling: To prepare the pumpkin: Wash, cut in half, scoop out seeds and strings(seeds can be roasted for a delicious and healthy snack).     Depending how large the pumpkin is, quarter and place in a roasting pan flesh up. Add a little water into the roasting pan, cover and bake at 325 degrees until fork soft and sides are slightly collapsed.     Turn the quarters upside down on paper towel to drain. Scoop out flesh and run though a food processor.  Reserve 1 ½ cups of puree for the pie, and freeze any remainder as described above.       Pumpkin Pie filling: 1 ½ cups pumpkin puree  1 tsp. cinnamon  ½ tsp. ginger  1 can evaporated milk (1 1/2 cup)   ¼ tsp. powdered cloves  ¾ cup brown sugar  ¾ tsp. salt  2 eggs  2 tbsp. melted butter To make the pie, place all ingredients in a bowl and blend. Chill, and then pour into the unbaked 9" pie shell. Bake in a hot 450 degree oven for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 degrees, and cook for about 40 minutes or more. When surface of pie filling turns light brown, and a knife inserted into middle comes out clean, the pie is finished. Cool and store in the refrigerator. Enjoy the foods of the season!       photos & recipe courtesy of Ann O'Neill, Cottage Gardens	Tasting Booth -  White Heron Cellars As the holidays approach it's time to start planning for those special meals.  Dylan Fries of White Heron will be on hand Saturday to help you plan the perfect wine to accompany your fall and winter fare.      Both samples and sales of their fine wines will be available from the their vineyard and winery site overlooking the Columbia River. www.whiteheronwine.com
Meet our Vendor of the Week              Lattin's Country Cider Mill & Farm Lattin's Country Cider Mill & Farm has been a family owned business since 1976.  Owned by Carolyn Lattin, and her daughters Debbie Lattin and Sherrie Kohlmann, their booth is a mainstay of the Proctor Farmers' Market. That's Debbie, picture above, with Rick Eberle at her side.  Though you can only make out Rick's profile, he is at the Market most weeks with Debbie, helping all their very loyal customers with purchases of Lattin's award winning apple cider, seasonal fruits and vegetables, meats, fruit syrups, and their famous freshly baked goods, donuts and more! In addition to bringing their farm's bounty to the Proctor Farmers' Market, the Lattin's Country Cider Mill & Farm is open year around for visits and events.  One the biggest is their Apple Festival, where you can enjoy a day in the country amid the sweet aroma of apples, enjoy Bluegrass music and freshly made cider.  Children can visit with farm animals, and have a pony ride.  Wagon rides to the Lattin's pumpkin patch are offered every weekend from end of the September through October. Luckily for Tacoma area residents, you can visit Lattin's at the Proctor Farmers' Market every Saturday through December 21st, and enjoy all this family farm has to offer to help make your holiday meals delicious. lattinscider.com   Be sure and mention the coupon at the bottom of this newsletter, and take advantage of the Lattin's Country Cider Mill & Farm special discount offered for this Saturday only!      Join Our Mailing List and receive updates and coupons » JOIN NOW For Email Newsletters you can trust

Don't Forget - The Market Is Open Every Saturday Until December 21st!   Many of our customers have been stopping by the Market Booth asking how long the Market will be open this year.   We want everyone to know that, as Pierce County's only 4-season farmers' market, we will be open every Saturday until Dec. 21st -- rain, snow or shine -- for fresh, local vegetables, fruits, meats, cheese, wine, plants, flowers, breads, eggs, and more: 2013:   Open until December 21st,  Saturdays, 9am-2pm   2014:  Winter Season:   Open second Saturdays: Jan. 11th, Feb. 8th, Mar. 8th,  10am-1pm March 29th, 2014:  regular season resumes! Saturdays, 9am-2pm	This Week!    Live Music: 9:00 - 11:00: Kendl Winter / Palmer T Lee Duo - Lowest Pair 12:00 - 2:00:   Trio Tropicale   Tasting Booth: White Heron Cellars Event:  Hunger Awareness Community Food Drive Sponsor Booth:  No sponsors this week Weather Forecast Chance of showers, high of 46 degrees.
Market Recipe: What to do with all those peppers! Many of the ingredients needed for this recipe can be round right at the Market!  It is November and the first frost is upon us, now is the time to cook with the abundance of peppers available at the Market.  For this recipe you should shop for potatoes, shallots, garlic, and a mix of peppers. While your skillet is heating with olive oil and a tbsp of butter, scrub your potatoes, peel if needed and cut into chunks, peel shallots and garlic, clean the peppers. Toss all into the skillet and coat with heated oil/butter. Season with salt, pepper, garlic salt and Costco's Italian seasoning mix. Cook on medium low, stirring  occasionally, until fork tender. This is a great side dish to grilled salmon. (While the grill is heated  why not blister some peppers for the freezer!) Photos of the delicious results are below:                    Recipe courtesy of Ann O'Neill, Cottage Gardens	Tasting Booth -  White Heron Cellars As the holidays approach it's time to start planning for those special meals.  Dylan Fries of White Heron will be on hand Saturday to help you plan the perfect wine to accompany your fall and winter fare.      Both samples and sales of their fine wines will be available from the their vineyard and winery site overlooking the Columbia River. www.whiteheronwine.com
Meet our Vendor of the Week      Alvarez Organic Farms       Alvarez Organic Farms was founded by Don Hilario Alvarez, and he and his family are living examples of what can be achieved with determination and hard work. Originally from the coastal region of the Mexican state of Michoacán, Hilario Alvarez immigrated in the early 1970s, first to southern California, and then to eastern Washington, where he worked for seven years on a farm in Wapato. He learned everything he could about farming from the owners of the farms where he worked, and finally, in 1981 he rented thirty acres and started farming on his own during his "free time." He started out with very little money and no tractor, and picked up the knowledge he was still lacking by trial and error. But thanks to his hard work, his determination, his willingness to experiment and his ability to learn from experience, today Don Hilario and his family own 120 acres, making his farm one of the largest organic vegetable farms in eastern Washington. Every week, when they arrive at the Market with their fresh, organic produce, Eddie Alvarez, Don HIlario Alvarez's son, pictured above left with his cousins Octavio Godinez and Robert Nunez, are always more than happy to answer your questions and help you with your purchases. Join Our Mailing List and receive updates and coupons » JOIN NOW For Email Newsletters you can trust

Don't Forget - The Market Is Open Every Saturday Until December 21st!   Many of our customers have been stopping by the Market Booth asking how long the Market will be open this year.   We want everyone to know that, as Pierce County's only 4-season farmers' market, we will be open every Saturday until Dec. 21st -- rain, snow or shine -- for fresh, local vegetables, fruits, meats, cheese, wine, plants, flowers, breads, eggs, and more: 2013:   Open until December 21st,  Saturdays, 9am-2pm   2014:  Winter Season:   Open second Saturdays: Jan. 11th, Feb. 8th, Mar. 8th,  10am-1pm March 29th, 2014:  regular season resumes! Saturdays, 9am-2pm This Week!    Live Music: 9:00 - 11:00: PK Dwyer 12:00 - 2:00:   Clifford D   Tasting Booth: White Heron Cellars Upcoming Event:  Thanksgiving Food Drive November 9th Sponsor Booth:  State Farm Insurance Stephanie Longo, Agent  Home Makeovers Made Simple / Koreen Thompson Weather Forecast Fog early, then partly cloudy, high of 54 degrees. Master Gardeners Say Goodbye For This Year  Last Saturday was the Pierce County Master Gardeners final day at the Market for the season. We extend a big "Thank You" for their great advice and support on any matter of gardening and planting questions that came their way. The good news is that the Master Gardeners will be back at the Market next March, and can still be reached at the Pierce County Extension Office during Winter Hours (Monday-Friday, 10-2 pm) starting November 4th.   Call the Master Gardener Diagnostic Volunteer Office at 253-798-7170, or for further details Click Here         Tasting Booth -  White Heron Cellars As the holidays approach it's time to start planning for those special meals.  Dylan Fries of White Heron will be on hand Saturday to help you plan the perfect wine to accompany your fall and winter fare.      Both samples and sales of their fine wines will be available from the their vineyard and winery site overlooking the Columbia River. www.whiteheronwine.com       Meet our Vendor of the Week       Loki Fish Co.      Loki Fish Company is a family owned and operated business out of West Seattle founded in 1979 by Pete Knutson and Hing Lau Ng.  Today, Pete and older son Jonah run their two boats, F/V Loki and F/V Njord, harvesting wild salmon and halibut from southeast Alaska and Puget Sound. Their younger son Dylanmanages the business. Hing, born in Kwangdung Province, China, has many jobs, including financial oversight of the company, and keeping everybody fed!   Loki Fish Co. takes tremendous pride in directly marketing every salmon that is harvested aboard their two boats. The family is personally involved in every step from harvest to processing to direct sales, ensuring the highest level of quality.   Every week, Nicole (pictured above) drives the Loki Fish Co. truck to the Proctor Farmers' Market, and sets up a large booth with an incredible array of fresh, smoked, and canned wild salmon.  She is very knowledgeable about each product, and is always happy to answer any questions. When you see Nicole this week, be sure and mention the coupon at the bottom of this newsletter, and take advantage of Loki's special discount offered for this Saturday only!

 

Looking for a part-time job?

The Proctor Farmers' Market is hiring!

It's Green Day and MarketGrass at the Market

In addition to learning how to be more green, enjoy our second annual MarketGrass Bluegrass music event.

This event, features Bluegrass music by The Pine Hearts and Barelywine Revue in our music tent and bluegrass jamming in the intersection of N 27th and Madison.

Meet our Vendor of the week

Bluebeard Coffee Roasters

Bluebeard is a proud Tacoma coffee roaster and destination coffeehouse. Most days you will find them roasting the most interesting high-grown Arabica beans at their disposal, cupping them for those with interest, and extracting them in a manner befitting their character at their restored cafe and roastery at the corner of 6th Ave and State in Tacoma.

Bluebeard's twin aims are coffee and people.  They hire our neighbors and support their causes. They champion their art, language, music and ample tattoos. They hope their light, open space beckons those from all walks of life, and that all feel welcome.

http://www.bluebeardcoffee.com/

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Last Chance for Backcountry Creamery Cheese

Backcountry Creamery is a small, family owned business that has made small batch artisan cheese for sale at local Pierce County farmers' markets , restaurants, specialty shops and caterers in the Puget Sound region.

Deanna has decided to step away from cheese making to spend more time with her lovely family pictured below.

Her last day at the Proctor Farmers' Market is Saturday August 31st.

Come by to wish her well and to pick up the last of her wonderful cheese. 

Meet our Vendor of the Week

Colvin Ranch

The Colvin Ranch is a family owned and operated cattle ranch located in south Thurston County, Washington, near the small town of Tenino. The ranch was homesteaded by Ignatius Colvin, who came to Washington on the Oregon Trail in 1851 from Boone County, Missouri, and is one of the oldest ranches in the county still owned by the original family.

Five generations later, the Colvin Ranch family heritage continues through our humane livestock handling, stewardship of the land and sustainable grazing practices that allow native and endangered plants to flourish along side our high-quality, all natural cattle.

They provide customers with locally raised, high-quality, grass-fed beef. Their cattle are born and raised on the Colvin Ranch on an all natural diet, with no antibiotics, hormones or additives. Our grass-fed beef is healthy, with higher levels of vitamin E, C and beta-carotene, and the "good fats" known as Omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).

You can check out their website at: 

http://www.colvinranch.com/

Check out their coupon in our newsletter

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More Food, More Fun, More Summer

It's high summer and the market has everything you need for your back yard BBQ or family picnic.

Grass fed beef, all natural pork, wild caught salmon, fresh local oysters and so much more are just waiting for you to share and enjoy.

Add a lovely salad made from fresh, local organic greens, organic heirloom tomatoes and locally made salad dressing.

Add some fresh, local sweet corn for an amazing meal!

For desert we have raspberries, blackberries and blueberries along with peaches and nectarines.

Our farmers are bringing a wide assortment of other fresh fruits and wonderful veggies along with: meats, cheeses, eggs, pickles, jam, honey and freshly prepared foods and baked goods.

As if all of this wasn't enough, you can enjoy live music and our wonderful community.

Meet our Vendor of the Week

L'Arche Farm & Gardens

L'arche Farm and Gardens is not just a place to pick up beautiful plants, organic vegetable starts and in season local produce but a place that supports individuals with and without developmental disabilities.

L'Arche Farm & Gardens, strives to offer a safe and welcoming environment that provides meaningful farm and garden work to persons with developmental disabilities. The Farm is a collaborative setting in which people with a diversity of gifts and abilities work toward common goals. Each farm worker, whether core member, assistant or volunteer is affirmed in his or her dignity, selfworth and connection to life. Emphasis is placed on working with the core members to complete tasks, rather than doing for them.

You can learn more about this amazing program by visiting their website at:

http://www.larchethc.org

Summer Is Still Going Strong

Don't let all those "back to school" displays fool you.  Summer is still going strong at our local farms and farmers' markets.

Luscious peaches, juicy nectarines abound; and we're now seeing the first sweet corn of the season and fabulous heirloom tomatoes

We are in peak summer season and the fresh fruits and vegetables are plentiful and amazing.

Raspberries, blackberries and blueberries abound, along with peaches and nectarines.

Our farmers are bringing a wide assortment of other fresh fruits and wonderful veggies.

You can also find: meats, cheeses, eggs, pickles, jam, honey and freshly prepared foods and baked goods.

As if all of this wasn't enough, you can enjoy live music and our wonderful community.

Meet our Vendor of the Week

Cottage Gardens

Everyone knows that Cottage Gardens can be found at the market and at the Tacoma Food Co-op with wonderful veggie starts and unusual ornamental plants.

Did you know that they also sell fresh, local produce?

Jim and Anne O'Neil work a five acre farm in Graham Washington..

Their heirloom tomatoes are non GMO and are propagated by seed saving.  Seed is saved generation to generation in order to provide the best color, taste, and texture.  Jim can show you how to create a home made pizza with fresh heirloom tomatoes.

You can visit them on Facebook at:

Check out our NEW, cleaner, easier to read newsletter for the latest news and events. You can find out what vendors plan on being at the market this week, read about our vendor of the week and get special coupons just for newsletter subscribers!

We won't spam you (no more than one email per market event) and will never share your informaton.

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We are in peak summer season and the fresh fruits and vegetables are plentiful and amazing.

Raspberries, blackberries and blueberries abound, along with peaches and nectarines.

Our farmers are bringing a wide assortment of other fresh fruits and wonderful veggies.

You can also find: meats, cheeses, eggs, pickles, jam, honey and freshly prepared foods and baked goods.

As if all of this wasn't enough, you can enjoy live music by Monkey Marimba in the morning, The Pine Hearts in the afternoon, and our wonderful community.

Meet our Vendor of the Week
Rosecrest Farm

Rosecrest Farm--a certified organic dairy creates personally hand-crafted Swiss Cheeses, made with their own certified organic raw cow's milk*.

Rosecrest Farm is nestled in Washington's beautiful Chehalis valley, and has been producing award-winning milk for over 25 years. The family owned farm is owned and operated by Gary and Sharon McCool.

In the early morning hours, the process begins with the cows being brought in from the pasture to be milked. Within minutes, the fresh filtered milk is transferred directly into the cheese vat. This is where Sharon begins the cheesemaking process for the day. The hand-crafted cheese is made using old world recipes and techniques. Making the Swiss cheese both delicious and unique.

Mountain Swiss; Country Herb & Garlic Swiss; Caraway Swiss; Smokey-Peppercorn & Chives Swiss; and Mutschli Swiss.

You can visit their website at: http://www.rosecrestfarms.org/

It's Proctor Arts Fest!
Our market is part of the fun and we'll be open an extra two hours until 4:00 PM 

Meet our Vendor of the Week
Golden Glow Gardens

Golden Glow Gardens, based in Winlock Washington is family owned and carries a fantastic selection of unique plants that are well suited to our climate.

In addition to plants you won't see anywhere else, you will also get expert advice on planting and growing. 

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It's just Peachy at the market!

Fresh Summer Peaches are here now!

You'll find lots of other summer bounty including fresh organic fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, cheeses, honey, prepared food and more.

Meet our Vendor of the Week

Purdy Pickles

Purdy Pickles offers Dill, Bread and Butter Pickles, Pickled Onions, Carrots, Relish & Beets using only the freshest organic produce from Local Farm sources. With Sweet, Spicy, and Dill varieties, you are bound to find something that will please your taste buds.

New products include pickled garlic and asparagus as well as the now famous "pickle on a stick".

Purdy Organics uses no additives; their products are natural and gluten free.

They are currently in the process of earning organic certificaton.

You can visit their website at

http://shop.purdyorganics.com/

You can get a coupon for a special offer from Purdy Pickles in our newsletter:

See our current newsletter by clicking here

Meet our Vendor of the Week

Zestful Gardens

Zestful Gardens' sustainable agricultural practices minimize thier impact on earth and maintain delicious flavor and nutrients in their food.

They practice biodynamic agriculture, a method of organic farming that emphasizes the holistic development and interrelationships of the soil, plants and animals as a self-sustaining system.

Farming 35 acres in the Puyallup Valley, mother and daughter (and sometimes granddaughters), Valerie and Holly, tend organic vegetables, small fruits and herbs, rotating cover crops, livestock, orchard and woodland.

You can visit their website at

http://www.zestfulgardens.org

Cherries, Berries and Apricots Oh My!

What a wonderful time of year at the market

In addition to all of the wonderful summer fruit, we have our usual selection of fresh produce, flowers, meats, eggs, cheeses, honey and fresh, local prepared foods

Fox Island Lavender is back with fragrant blooms and Hilltop Pop Shop has tasty frozen treats for a hot summer day

Meet our Vendor of the Week, Dog Treat Bakery
and
Enter the "Name the Pup" contest 

Dog treat bakery is an organic bakery located in Steilacoom Washington.

Their treats are all handmade and do not contain chemicals, additives, fillers, or by-products.

They add only olive oil, which is beneficial to the dog's coat and only use wholesome oat flour/grains (manufactured and produced in the USA).

You can visit them online at

http://dogtreatbakery.org/

NAME THAT PUP CONTEST!

Help Cynthia from Dog Treat Bakery name this cute new pup (a female Pocket Beagle) and win a box containing a selection of dog treats.

Contest runs from July 10th through July 24th, with the prize being awarded at the July 27th market.

Stop by Dog Treat Bakery's booth to see the new addition and to cast your vote.

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Meet our Vendor of the Week

Heavenly Honey

Heavenly Honey Farm honey is one hundred percent raw and comes straight from the bees to you. It is not processed, treated, heated, filtered or altered in any way. Their farm is family owned and operated and they hand craft everything they sell. Their beehives are located in the Puyallup and Willamette Valleys.

It's Cherry Season!!!

The cherries are getting larger, plumper and sweeter

and we have them right here at the market for you to enjoy along with other fresh, local foods, live music and community.

Meet our Vendor of the Week

Chomp Bakery/Terralumina Gardens

Terralumina gardens would be called a farm, but owners Jahn and Renee consider themselves extreme gardeners.

In addition to growing only heirloom and open pollinated varieties of many crops they have also opened "Chomp Bakery" in which they create amazing, organic baked goods and treats which have quickly become a favorite of market customers.

Come find them in their new location on Madison St next to Loki Fish and across from Lattins Country Cider Mill in front of the Methodist Church. It's well worth the walk through the market.

Meet our Vendor of the Week

Rain Barrels by Dan Borba

Did you know that for every inch of rain that falls on a 1,000 sq foot catchment (such as the roof of your house) that you can capture up to 600 gallons of water?

Dan Borba does. He creates rain barrels out of re-purposed food grade containersHe enjoys changing the way people look at their environment and changing the paradigm about where their water comes from. He also enjoys helping the environment by attempting to be less of a passive consumer and more of an active user of sustainable technologies. He enjoys the R&D (research and design) process. I'm looking for more new and simple ways to use rainwater. See his special offer coupon in our newsletter

you can visit his website at http://www.naturalrainwater.com/

The berries are coming!!! The berries are HERE!!!

In addition to these lovely organic berries from Zestful Gardens, Little Eorthe Farms, Cottage Gardens and other regular vendors, Spooner Farms and Fred's Berry Farm will be here with fat juicy berries and Moon Berry Farm will have raspberries and their famous berry jam.

Stay tuned for more exciting news in our newsletter...

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Bring your knitting or crocheting and join us at the tables near the music tent for World Wide Knit in Public Day

You can learn more about this event, buy visiting the following link.

World Wide Knit in Public Day at the Proctor Farmers' Market

Meet our Vendor of the Week

Raft Island Roses

Frank from Raft Island roses has been a staple in our intersection at the market almost as long as many of us can remember.

With countless varieties of hybrid teas, grandifloras, floribundas, musks, miniatures, shrubs, antiques, as well as other native plants, you are bound to find something lovely to plant in your garden. In addition to lovely plants,

Frank can give you great gardening advice.

Visit their website at: http://www.raftislandroses.com

BIG News for Mary Bridge WIC Clients!

Mary Bridge WIC clients 1 year of age and older can receive $20 in Farmers Market checks for the summer season. (Maximum is $60/family.) Checks are given on a "first come, first served basis" only at area farmers markets starting mid-June for clients of the Mary Bridge Main and Mary Bridge Tacoma East (Boze Elementary) WIC clinics. WIC will staff a booth at the Proctor Farmers Market on Saturday June 15th, June 22nd and June 29th as long as check supplies last. Clients should bring their WIC appointment folders to the market on the day of pick-up. 

Meet our Vendor of the Week

Hilltop Pop Shop (who are also providing a kids activity)



Hilltop Pop Shop has become a staple at numerous Tacoma farmers' markets. Kids look forward to the booth's weekly popsicle stick-related craft, and parents appreciate the opportunity to let their families indulge in a seasonal sweet treat.

Their pops are made with seasonal produce, so the flavors are always changing.  New flavors every week!

They will be providing a special kids activity this week, seed planting!

Look for their coupon at the bottom of this newsletter

visit their website at:
http://hilltoppopshop.com

It's going to be a great day at the market! Come enjoy sharing community, live music and a love of fresh, local sustainable food with your friends and neighbors!

Live Music:

9 AM - 11AM Kendl Winter Duet
Noon - 2 PM The Pine Hearts

Meet our Vendor of the Week

Kitchen Pantry

Kitchen Panty is home of the famous Blue Ribbon Dills.

Based in Puyallup, Kitchen Pantry has a selection of home made pickles and jams made the old fashioned way, one jar at a time, including the spicy jalapeno treat, Razzle Dazzle (raspberry/Jalapeno) Jam.

You can find them on Facebook:

https://www.facbook.com/KitchenPantryBlueRibbonDills

Join us for "Young at Heart Day"

Celebrating customers 55 and older with special discounts from participating vendors and a free market tote bag for the first 100 guests age 55 and older

Meet our Vendor of the Week

Four Sisters Gourmet Sauces

The family emmigrated from Vietnam. One of the sisters, Julie, has a passion for food, family, and cooking, so she created the business to bring the family together. They sell thier products in the hope of bringing others together over a meal.

In addition to their gourmet sauces, they also sell fresh, ready to eat spring rolls.

You can visit their website at: http://www.foursistersgourmetsauces.com

It's going to be another great day at the market!

You can shop for fresh, locally grown fruits & vegetables, meat, eggs, flowers, cheese, honey and so much more

Meet our Vendor of the Week

Wilson Fish

Wilson Fish brings Fresh and Wild King Salmon, Coho, Halibut, and Smoked King Salmon to the market

They do one at a time fishing, with no nets. All the fish are caught wild, using a barbless hook and line. They fish in the salt water when the fish are still eating before spawning and have the best fat content and nutritional value.

What better way to Celebrate Mother's Day than with fresh flowers from the market?

Bring Mom, your friends, family and neighbors to our Health and Wellness Fair

The sunshine is back and we can't wait to see you at the market!

Come enjoy live music, community and fresh, local sustainable food.

Meet our "Vendor of the Week"

Christie Qualey from Reciprocity Smoothies

Reciprocity Foods specializes in all Organic Market Fresh Smoothies. Utilizing the local abundance of seasonally available fruits and greens. The iconic "Green Smoothie" has a devout following of not only super health enthusiasts but also kids and others folks trying to sneak more nutrients into their day.

Check out Reciprocity Foods new "Wild Purity Shots". Wild crafted greens from the Olympic Forest are fresh pressed into a potent elixir. This week is Nettle and Wild Watercress.

More information at http://christiemaeq.wix.com/reciprocity-foods or check them out on facebook

OK, this photo isn't Christie, but we just can't resist this fairy dragon who loves his smoothies

Come visit all of our vendors and enjoy fresh, local, sustainable food, live music and community.

Oh, the Flowers!

Meet our "Vendor of the Week"

Annie from A & K Shellfish

Annie and Craig Fitzgerald bring fresh, locally grown oysters and clams to market each Saturday. Annie was born in Bremerton, WA where she grew up helping her father as he worked on the family's tidelands.

Using their father's unique insight and knowledge of farming, Craig and Annie represent the next generation of their family's traditions. Clams and oysters. Yum!

It's Back! Asparagus!

Meet our "Vendor of the Week"

Matthew Eklund from Rainbow Cloud Kombucha

Matthew's goal is "To provide people with healthy, delicious kombucha! To heal the Earth and all people!" Kombucha is a fermented live culture probiotics tea, brewed right here in Washington using local ingredients. In addition to brewing kombucha, Matthew is also a yoga teacher and a musician. you can find him at the intersection of N 27th and N Madison playing any number of musical intruments, including his didgeridoo

New Vendors and Old Friends are here to help you Eat Fresh, Buy Local and Build Community

Meet our "Vendor of the Week"

Carrie Little from Little Eorthe Farm

Little Eorthe Farm is a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm located in the Orting Valley. Their mission is to literally save the earth through organic and sustainable practices in providing fresh, healthy, local food.

You can learn more about them by visiting their website at

http://www.littleeorthe.org/

Come visit all of our vendors and enjoy fresh, local, sustainable food, live music and community.

We have fabulous new vendors this season including:

A & K Shellfish (clams & oysters)

Bluebeard Coffee

Cascadia Terroir (distilled oils)

Loki Fish (salmon)

Rising River Farms (organic)

Come enjoy shopping, live music by The Pine Hearts and Michael Coucoules, building community and sunshine!

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The Proctor Farmers' Market Board is pleased to announce an open election for positions on the board.

For more informaton, you can visit the following link

Join the Proctor Farmers' Market Board - Learn More By Clicking Here

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Interested in Becoming a Vendor?

Our mission at the Proctor Farmers' Market is:

1. To support and encourage local farmers by providing a venue in our urban community for direct marketing of fresh produce and farm-grown products.

2. To be an educational resource to the public highlighting the importance of local agriculture, sustainable business and our impact on the environment.

3. To encourage community building and collaboration within the business and neighborhood community that the market serves.

We are currently accepting applications for farmers and other food vendors who support local farms and sustainable local agriculture.

We are not accepting applications for arts/crafts vendors.

Applicatons are due March 15th, 2013

Applications for the 2013 season are available NOW by clicking on the following link:

Click here for the 2013 Vendor App

Proctor Rules & Policies for Vendors

Proctor Procedures...the basics