Mom rocks! Shop for her at the Farmers Market on May 12th...

Tomorrow is our last monthly farmers market before we return to our weekly summer schedule (woo-hoooooo!).Please come shop for your favorite "mother."  I know for fact that  there are plenty of moms in Hastings (and in the Rivertowns) particularly deserving of  a hearty  "farm-to-bed" breakfast  this Sunday. Personally, I'm angling for some scrambled just-laid eggs, crisp smoked bacon, Tierra Farms Honduran coffee and slices of Bread Alone baguette slathered with Honey Locust jam or buckwheat honey. And, I wouldn't say no to a sliver each of lasagna and mixed-berry tart.

We won't have our full lineup of vendors until opening day, but the  "Duck guy" is finally back after a long hibernation. Not sure if Matt Igoe himself will be selling, but if he is, be sure to congratulate him: he and his wife, Andrea, just had a gorgeous baby girl, Merle. Clean Ridge Soap Co. will be here, too with lots of great things to put in a mother's day basket. Spice Revolution's Linzi Fastiggi who visited us last month is back again with her intoxicating spices and creative chocolate barks. Hummingbird Ranch will also be here as will Sarah's Caramellas. Sunny Gandara of Fork & Glass tore her meniscus, so she won't be able to make tacos and Norwegian crepes this weekend. She'll be back next month. Rhubarb, which is desperately trying to break free from pie, will also make an appearance tomorrow. Why not make a rosy red compote for grilled fish?

Ruby Reilly (ukelele) and Phil Joy (drums) will be performing from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. Ruby has just completed her first c.d., "Covers" which will be available for purchase at the market (that will be my mother's day gift to myself because her music puts a smile on everything).

Please take a few minutes to admire the handiwork of Hillside Elementary's 4th grade class: they've recreated a very large three-dimensional model of what New Amsterdam looked like back in 1660 -- complete with schoolhouses and vegetable gardens!  The project, led by the tireless Jenny Lee, is something to behold. It's this kind of project that makes our schools and living in this community so great, so, naturally, we thought we should bring it to the farmers market for all to see....
Last but most certainly not least....we are in desperate need of VOLUNTEERS this summer. We are proud to announce that the Hastings Farmers Market will now be accepting EBT/SNAP coupons - formerly known as food stamps. We are so pleased to finally be able to offer fresh, healthy food to every member of our community. Locally-grown lettuces and strawberries should be accessible to all. But this new ambitious program will require extra hands at the market this summer ..so if you've been looking for a good cause to embrace, please stop by the market tent this Saturday and sign up!

See you at the market!