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Propolis Brewing

 

 

Sat., Dec. 6th

 

 

Sat., Nov. 29th

Sat., Nov. 22nd

Join us this Saturday for our 

"Hunger Awareness Community Food Drive"

 

Both the Rescue Mission and the NW Tacoma FISH Food Bank will be on site to collect food donations to help feed the hungry in Tacoma.

 

Customers are encouraged to buy extra produce and/or products from their favorite vendors and donate at the Market to help support local shelters and food banks during their busiest season*.

 

*Any food items not purchased at the Market and brought in for donation must be non-perishable.

 

 

***

And of course, fresh cranberries from Bloom Creek!

 

 

 

OlyKraut Gourmet Sauerkraut was founded in 2008, by co-creators Sash Sunday and Summer Bock.  Both are food activists and fermentationists, and they are "thrilled to share what they love with the community." 

Summer is a Health Coach, Herbalist, and Master Fermentationist.  After much consideration, Sash discovered that the best way for her to contribute to the food system and economy she would like to see would be by putting her fermentation fanaticism to good use turning regional farmers' produce into delicious sauerkraut.  Together, Summer and Sash have built OlyKraut into a small artisan company of handcrafted probiotic foods.

Sash Sunday says that "OlyKraut has had a big year, and we are very excited to keep that momentum rolling into 2015. We are debuting our new seasonal flavor, Smoke & Kale, which is already a finalist for a Good Food Award."  OlyKraut also just launched their blog at

www.olykraut.com/blog.  Sash is also pleased to report that they are "working on their organic certification process, and new labels are on the way early next year!"

 

This Saturday November 22nd only, OlyKraut's holiday gift bags (shown below) will be available for only $40.  Don't miss this opportunity to give this gift to someone special -  it includes three jars of sauerkraut or brine, an OlyKraut cookbook, and a reusable upcycled bag!.  

 

Great holiday gift idea from OlyKraut - available this Sat., Nov. 22nd only!

 

 

***

The Proctor Farmers' Market is pleased to announce a new matching program.

The 'Fresh Bucks' program provides SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - formerly "food stamps') shoppers with extra buying power, by providing matched dollars for their farmers market purchases,

specifically to promote healthy eating and local agriculture.

The 'Fresh Bucks' Program runs from August 2 through December 20, 2014, and is funded by a grant from the City of Tacoma's Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability,

and the support of the Proctor Farmers' Market.

*

Inquire at the Market Info Booth, and learn how a dollar for dollar match

is provided up to $10. per EBT card, per market day!

*

***

 

 

 

Sat., Nov. 15th:

Sandra Bocas, Hot Babe Hot Sauce

 

Born in Venezuela, raised in Trinidad and educated in England and Wales, Sandra Bocas is truly a woman of many cultures.  She also happens to be the owner of one of our newest vendors - Hot Babe Hot Sauce.

 

 

The roots of Hot Babe Hot Sauce, started at the El Diamante Negro, a Spanish-Creole restaurant, which was started by the Bocas family over 50 years ago in Port of Spain, Trinidad. "I wanted to take something other than wine to dinner when visiting friends. So I started taking hot sauce. The taste of my grandmother's recipe had always stayed with me, and I'd been using it in my own cooking for years. People just went crazy for it. Everybody always asked me 'when are you coming back to dinner again?' Then one night a couple friends said, 'Why don't you just bottle it and sell it?'"

A self-admitted 'roll up her sleeves, get it done' kind of person, Sandra found a commercial kitchen, got a food handler's license and went to work. With a 70% you-taste-it-you-buy-it rate (dangerous!) her hot sauce quickly made it onto the shelves in local co-ops and grocery stores in Washington State.

And the rest is, as they say, is history.  Sandra and her Hot-Babe Hot Sauce are now at the Proctor Farmers' Market every Saturday. Stop by and ask Sandra about her hand-crafted hot sauce, which is great as a meat marinade, in sauces over meats, chicken and fish, with vegetables, in casseroles, as a BBQ base, on eggs in the morning, in your favorite Bloody Mary... on or in just about anything!

The Proctor Farmers' Market is pleased to announce a new matching program.

The 'Fresh Bucks' program provides SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - formerly "food stamps') shoppers with extra buying power, by providing matched dollars for their farmers market purchases,

specifically to promote healthy eating and local agriculture.

The 'Fresh Bucks' Program runs from August 2 through December 20, 2014, and is funded by a grant from the City of Tacoma's Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability,

and the support of the Proctor Farmers' Market.

*

Inquire at the Market Info Booth, and learn how a dollar for dollar match

is provided up to $10. per EBT card, per market day!

*

***

 

 

Sat., Nov. 8th

The Proctor Farmers' Market is pleased to announce a new matching program.

The 'Fresh Bucks' program provides SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - formerly "food stamps') shoppers with extra buying power, by providing matched dollars for their farmers market purchases,

specifically to promote healthy eating and local agriculture.

The 'Fresh Bucks' Program runs from August 2 through December 20, 2014, and is funded by a grant from the City of Tacoma's Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability,

and the support of the Proctor Farmers' Market.

*

Inquire at the Market Info Booth, and learn how a dollar for dollar match

is provided up to $10. per EBT card, per market day!

*

***

 

 

 

 

Sat., Nov. 1st:

Fresh cranberries now at Bloom Creek Cranberry Farm

 

Military Appreciation Day, next Sat., Nov. 8th!

Vendor Of The Week:

Calendula Farm    

Scott Gruber, Calendula Farm

Scott Gruber (pictured above) leads and directs all the farm and landscaping operations at Calendula Farm. Schooled and trained as a sculptor in the early 1980's, his experience in creative three dimensional design ranges from fine and functional art to animal husbandry, creating fine foods and landscape construction.

 

In addition to bringing his fresh, local foods to the Market year-around, this very busy farmer/landscaper also serves on the Board of Supervisors of the Pierce Conservation District, the Board of Directors of the Proctor Farmer's Market, and consultant for the Sustainable Roots program of the Northwest Leadership Foundation.

 

Scott likes to say that "Calendula Farm does many things, and all of them involve creating beautiful, flavorful, and healthful enhancements to life in the South Puget Sound." They grow animals for food, grow plants for use in landscape projects and for sale to home gardeners, and also create beautiful and functional environments for artful outdoor living.

 

Calendula Farm's animals (chicken, duck, turkey, rabbit and pheasant) are raised in spacious enclosures throughout various pastures. With the poultry, they practice pasture rotation to keep the land and animals healthy. The Farm's rabbits enjoy life in spacious hutches under the shade and protection of a Cottonwood grove.

   

Most of the plants Calendula grows produce food in one way or another. They range from fruiting trees and berry bushes to edible perennials and vegetables. They also grow ornamental perennials, shrubs and trees, and all of these plants are sold at the Proctor Farmer's Market each Saturday and are also used in their landscape installations.    

  

Scott Gruber is at the Market, every Saturday, rain or shine, throughout the year, and invites you to stop by his booth, chat, and learn about all that Calendula Farm has to offer -- "We think life is a grand adventure. Every day is an opportunity to learn something new. We like to engage all of our senses, as much and as often as possible. We invite you to join in the fun."

 

The Proctor Farmers' Market is pleased to announce a new matching program.

The 'Fresh Bucks' program provides SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - formerly "food stamps') shoppers with extra buying power, by providing matched dollars for their farmers market purchases,

specifically to promote healthy eating and local agriculture.

The 'Fresh Bucks' Program runs from August 2 through December 20, 2014, and is funded by a grant from the City of Tacoma's Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability,

and the support of the Proctor Farmers' Market.

*

Inquire at the Market Info Booth, and learn how a dollar for dollar match

is provided up to $10. per EBT card, per market day!

*

***

 

 

 

Sat., Oct 25th:

Mums at the Market
(Sunrise Flower Farm) 

 

Corn Stalks and Mums for Fall Decoration
(L'Arche Farm & Gardens) 

 

 

Vendor Of The Week:

Bluebeard Coffee Roasters

 

Kyle Rees, Bluebeard Coffee Roasters

The bet that Bluebeard Coffee Roasters principle, Kevin McGlocklin, made in bringing Bluebeard to the historical Rector building in Tacoma, was that an eclectic crew of like-minded people could create and deliver unsurpassed coffee and thrive in the heart of the south Puget Sound.

As anyone who has tasted their coffee at their restored cafe and roastery or booth at the Proctor Farmers' Market knows, Kevin's bet has been achieved. First and foremost, the proof is in the cup.  At Bluebeard Coffee Roasters they sample and buy the very best beans they can source from throughout Latin America, Indonesia and East Africa. Then Bluebeard's local roasting process on a 12-kilo Probat brings out the very best in their carefully selected beans, bringing their customers superior coffee by the cup, or whole bean bag.

 

Two flavorful whole bean coffees from Bluebeard Coffee Roasters: Concepcion Pixcaya and The Narrows Expresso Blend.

 

***

 

The Proctor Farmers' Market is pleased to announce a new matching program.

The 'Fresh Bucks' program provides SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - formerly "food stamps') shoppers with extra buying power, by providing matched dollars for their farmers market purchases,

specifically to promote healthy eating and local agriculture.

The 'Fresh Bucks' Program runs from August 2 through December 20, 2014, and is funded by a grant from the City of Tacoma's Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability,

and the support of the Proctor Farmers' Market.

*

Inquire at the Market Info Booth, and learn how a dollar for dollar match

is provided up to $10. per EBT card, per market day!

*

***

 

 

 

Sat, Oct. 18th:

A "tote-full" of Fresh Flowers (Dao Lee Gardens)

Corn Stalks and Mums for Fall Decoration (L'Arche Farm & Gardens)

 

 

 

"Green Goodness" from Reciprocity Foods

 

***

 

The Proctor Farmers' Market is pleased to announce a new matching program.

The 'Fresh Bucks' program provides SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - formerly "food stamps') shoppers with extra buying power, by providing matched dollars for their farmers market purchases,

specifically to promote healthy eating and local agriculture.

The 'Fresh Bucks' Program runs from August 2 through December 20, 2014, and is funded by a grant from the City of Tacoma's Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability,

and the support of the Proctor Farmers' Market.

*

Inquire at the Market Info Booth, and learn how a dollar for dollar match

is provided up to $10. per EBT card, per market day!

*

***

 

 

Sat., October 11th:

 

So, as you come to the market to enjoy the fruits of our labor, remember their origins may not be from yesterday's harvest, but perhaps a year ago.  Yes, it's a glorious time of the year and the warmth and sunshine has made life harvesting so much easier, but I gotta tell ya, I yearn for the rain and 8 hour days to come this winter!  Sleep, I miss you!

 

 

***

Vendor Of the Week:

Gateway to India

Market goers ready to order authentic cuisine at Gateway to India

 

Gateway to India is a family run business that has been serving fine Northern Indian cuisine to the Puget Sound area at their Tacoma 6th Avenue location since July 1996.  The family opened their second restaurant in Gig Harbor in November of 2009.  In addition to their two restaurants, this incredibly high energy, hard working family also sells weekly at several local farmers markets, including the Proctor Farmers' Market every Saturday.

  

Just walk into the Market any morning, and you will soon notice the tempting fragrance of their charcoal grill, where everything is cooked fresh by staff member, Nate Rupert, mixed with the incredible aroma of Indian spices wafting through the air.

  

Gateway to India has a great selection of delicious menu items including meat, vegetarian, and vegan choices. Entrees include Chicken Curry, Vegetable Korma, and Kabuli Channa. Want a quicker meal? Order their popular Chicken Kabob, Indian Taco, or Lamb Sausage. Gateway also has Pappadum, Basmati Rice, Mango Pudding, and, of course, their famous Indian oven-baked flatbread, Naan.

 

Owner Surinder Singh, his son Caleb, and Nate Rupert are at the Market every week, offering Gateway's freshly made, authentic Indian cuisine, along with friendly, fast, customer service. As Gateway's regulars know, sometimes there can be a bit of a line at lunch hour, but the wait is always worth it!   

  

Be sure and stop by this week, as Gateway will be celebrating the Market's Proctoberfest event by offering specialty brats  - their own fresh grilled lamb sausages, along with High Point Family Farms pork brats, served with your choice of German mustard, and/or OlyKraut's Gourmet Sauerkraut!

 

A Gateway to India favorite: Fresh Grilled Chicken Kabob with Cilantro Chutney.

Tempt Your Tastebuds: Lamb Sausage on Naan with Red Onion, Fresh Cilantro, and Cilantro-Mint Chutney.

 

 

 

Sat., October 4th:

 

***

 

 

Vendor Of the Week:

Cottage Gardens  

 

Jim O'Neill, Cottage Gardens

Cottage Gardens, owned by Jim and Ann O'Neill, is well know at area farmers markets for their varied seasonal selections of plants and produce. Currently, they have a variety of late summer/fall vegetables, pumpkins (just in time for Halloween!), and indoor and outdoor plants for your home or landscape.

Pumpkins have long been a favorite crop at Cottage Gardens.  Jim and Ann feel that they are a source of joy as all the summer crops die back to reveal all the orange treasures that had been hiding amongst the leaves. The very first crop that Cottage Gardens ever sold from the farm was pumpkins, and the O'Neill's have grown them every year since. 

This year was a very good year for pumpkins, as they colored up early with all the summer heat.  With autumn in the air, Cottage Gardens would like you to come to the market and get all set for the Halloween season with lots of fall color -- gourds, corn stalks, and, of course, Jack-O-Lantern pumpkins!

As we enter October, Cottage Garden's excellent selection of interior succulents may be making their last appearance at the market due to the cooling temperatures.  If you've been thinking about a houseplant to liven up your home for the winter, now is the time.  They also have a diverse selection of aloes, jades, echeverias, sedums, aeoniums and more.

Cottage Gardens wants you to know that there are still plenty of plants to choose from in all sizes - 4" at $3.50 each, or 3 for $10; 6" from $8-$10;  and several larger specimens in the $20's and $30 at our regular prices.

 

The Proctor Farmers' Market is pleased to announce a new matching program.

The 'Fresh Bucks' program provides SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - formerly "food stamps') shoppers with extra buying power, by providing matched dollars for their farmers market purchases,

specifically to promote healthy eating and local agriculture.

The 'Fresh Bucks' Program runs from August 2 through December 20, 2014, and is funded by a grant from the City of Tacoma's Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability,

and the support of the Proctor Farmers' Market.

*

Inquire at the Market Info Booth, and learn how a dollar for dollar match

is provided up to $10. per EBT card, per market day!

*

***

 

 

 

Sat., September, 27th:

Sat., September, 20th:

Late Summer's Bountiful Harvest 

 

Free Samples & Sales:

 

Vendor Of the Week:

Alvarez Organic Farms 

Buck and Jo, Alvarez Organic Farms, with pepper wreaths and ropes.

 

Alvarez Organic Farms was founded in 1988 by Hilario Alvarez, who was originally from the coastal region of the Mexican state of Michoacán.  Hilario immigrated in the early 70's, first to southern California, and then to eastern Washington, where he worked for seven years on a farm in Wapato.  Over the years, Hilario Alvarez made the journey from farm worker to farm manager, and now cares, with the help of his extended family, for his own 75-acre farm selling over 300 varieties of certified organic produce at 13 farmers markets!  

  

Alvarez Organic Farms is currently offering corn, tomatoes, tomatillos, cucumbers,
green beans, Silver Queen eggplant, okra (buy early - it goes fast!) for canning, pickling or freezing, or just enjoying for late summer eating.  Coming soon will be squash, spaghetti squash, butternut squash, and all varieties of dried beans - just in time for warm meals on chilly nights!

Widely known for their amazing assortment of peppers, and their signature pepper wreaths and ropes, the Alvarez Organic Farms booth is a pepper lover's delight: sweet peppers such as Pimento and Banana Sweets; medium hot peppers like Goat Horn, and Padron; and finally red, orange, yellow and green Bell Peppers. (Ask Buck and Jo about their Hot Chili Peppers, as they will be available in limited amounts only!) 

  

In addition to their famous pepper varieties, the farm also grows peanuts! Every September, the family harvests their fresh, green peanuts, which they then roast and process, and offer at the Proctor Farmers' Market either salted or unsalted.  For those who prefer their peanuts 'raw' or 'green' -- those are available, too!

  

Buck and Jo are always friendly, and very knowledgeable about what they offer fresh from Alvarez Organic Farms every week at the Market.  They are looking forward to your visit to the farm's booth this Saturday, and would like to let everyone know that they should consider pre-ordering their pepper wreaths or ropes to insure delivery this year - as sometimes demand exceeds supply! 

 

 

 

 

 

Sat. September, 13th:

 

***

The Market is open every Saturday,  

 

Sat., September 6th:

Green Day Event at the Market-
this Saturday!

Green Day- Saturday, Sept. 6th!

 

• Learn And Explore About Plastics In Our Environment
• Local Professional Presenters
• Interactive Activities for Adults and Kids
• Prize Drawings Throughout the Day

***

 

Blossom end blight on a San Marzano Tomato

Devastating effects of late blight on tomatoes (also effects potatoes)

As the season winds down  and fall approaches, I start really watching the weather forecast for night temperatures in anticipation of the first frost.  While we would all like to see an extended Indian summer, signs of spider webs and cool nights are telling me that may not be the case this year.  You don't have to lose the green tomatoes.  You can pick them prior to the last frost, and ripen them in a frost protected environment. A mild white distilled vinegar dip (2 tbsp/pint water) and drying will avoid mold problems from developing on the ripening fruit. Tomatoes, ripe or green, should never be refrigerated as that will greatly reduce the flavor.  Ideal storage temperature for tomatoes is 55F.       

 

I hope you are enjoying the bounty of another successful growing season.  If you have  any questions about tomatoes, or any other gardening subjects, come to the Proctor Farmers' Market and ask any one of our many farmers.  We would all be happy to help you  in your pursuit of  healthy, local, fresh food.

Just picked Heirloom Tomatoes, famous for taste and color, now available at Cottage Gardens

 

***

Issued at the height of the market season on August 7th, now is the time to use this stamp on your mail to help remind everyone to support your local farmers and producers who work throughout the year to bring fresh, local foods to your Market and your community.  

Tacoma City Ballet performing a segment from the Nutcracker on-site during last week's market.  (photo courtesy of Scott Gruber, Calendula Farm)

Vuelta La Luna, a local aerial arts & comedy troupe performed a graceful act high above the marketplace!

Mai Houa Garden

Fresh Flowers & Vegetables