Hastings Farmers Market

Market season is upon us! We hope you will come out and spend some time with us on Saturday. The forecast calls for clear, sunny skies - at last!

That little spring tease we got this week made me antsy for strawberries and asparagus and our little slice of scenic heaven up on on the Library "hill."
Then I got an email from Vivian Graziano of Madura Farms (they've been bringing greenhouse greens to our indoor winter market) and all was forgotten:

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that if you missed the Hastings Farmers Market's debut on national television this morning, you can catch it online at:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/18424824#27820887

And here's some more news you can use:
Our winter market will be held on the second Saturday of every month from January to May at the James Harmon Community Center at 44 Main St. from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Time to dust off your rolling pins and dig through those old family recipe files. Our second annual Hastings Farmers Market Apple Pie Contest will be held Oct. 18 at the market tent.
We hope many of you who shop the market will participate.
Why not use the contest as your incentive to finally crack that crust code? If you're a beginner who has been dancing around the notion of making a pie from scratch, this is your chance to give it a whirl.
Here's the skinny on the contest:

1. Pies must be made from scratch. Period. No "50-50" pies (frozen crust and homemade filling).

Did you catch the article about our little farmers market in the Journal News this week? Check it out at lohud.com.
Also: we made a sneak appearance in Michael Orey's new "lunch" blog. Orey writes for BusinessWeek and he's one of our most devoted shoppers...You can read his musings about the mid-day meal at www.workinglunch.biz

Did you know that California produces about 90 percent of America's apricot crop? Fortunately for us, a small percentage are grown right here in the Hudson Valley and they are slated to make their first appearance at the market tomorrow. I'm already dreaming of the apricot tart I'm going to make. That is -- if my girls don't gobble them up before I get a chance to.

Look for djembes at the market Saturday, June 28. No, it’s not some exotic new baby green but a hand drum from West Africa.
A group of semi-professional hand drummers and percussionists will be hosting a drumming circle under the music tent at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Nothing too loud or wild they assure me.

Those of you who have followed the saga of the Hastings Farmers Market this year will understand when I say how truly elated I am that opening day is finally upon us.

Dear market shoppers,
We are very happy to announce that the Hastings Farmers Market will be continuing -- indoors -- throughout the winter and spring.
It will be held on the second Saturday of the month (Jan.12; Feb. 9; March 8; April 12; May 10) at the James Harmon Community Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
You'll be happy to know that all of our usual vendors (except for our produce vendors) are participating. (Concklin Orchards won't be able to come until March.)