Shiitake,Han Shimeji & Black Trumpets at Oyster Creek Mushroom Co.

Welcome back.  We hope your Thanksgiving went well.  Fall is well and truly done now that we've celebrated the harvest.  on to real winter. he rain is surely welcome and with any luck will soon turn to snow, an occasionally annoying but so Maine like essential and well loved part of this season of rest and regrouping in the natural world.

One of the best parts of the market is the many links to people and their worlds that it forges.  Robin Chase  & her husband at Chase Farm have been offering support and encouragement to their neighbors out in Whitefireld for some time now-read all about their  enthusiastic welcome to these new Mainers and their families at http://www.pressherald.com/2016/11/19/for-amish-arrivals-whitefield-feels-like-home/.  This story was also in the Bangor Daily News the same day. How lovely to be linked with yet another group of people joining the revival and invigoration of our farming community.

Shenandoah, Service Dog Trainee:"My person WILL eat well"

And it is so good to know that we-which means so many of  you-are part of reaching out to those who need support at this time of year.  Catching up on the papers after a week away, it was, yes, heartwarming, to see this letter in both the Times Record and the Portland Press Herald:

Dear Bath Farmer's Market, Patrons and Community Members,

I wanted to take this moment and say a special thank you to everyone for supporting the Thanksgiving Basket Project for our students at Georgetown Central School and our community at large. The generosity of everyone involved was overpowering, and during these trying times in teaching children the importance of giving to the community, there was an outpouring of support to give a real life example of how people want to give to those in need. Our students were not only overwhelmed by the amount of food from the Farmer's Market that was donated, but the monetary donations that were shared allowed our students to purchase over $500 of produce from the farmers to go directly into each of the 18 baskets created. Families and community friends were overwhelmed by these gifts. On behalf of our students who participated in this project, we hope that each and every one of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a delightful holiday season.

Deb Thibodeau,

Guidance Counselor,

Georgetown Central School

 

So  it's on to the next big holiday season. Let us help you with those memorable meals, & with your shopping list as well-gifts of our handcrafted home goods and our delicious premade foods are always welcome.  Give a share from one of our farmers, a gift certificate from a favorite vendor.  

At Tarbox Farm, broccoli, carrots and much more

In the market : Late summer harvest is just about done, tho you may see the occasional tomato.  Lettuces are dwindling, but we always have fresh micro greens.  And remember most of our greens-kale, chard,  collards, can all be deveined and sliced finely into winter salads full of dried fruits and whole grains. And we should have braising greens for quite a while. All our cabbages can be part of glorious slaws and stir fries-mix them up with our fennel and celery, carrots and celeriac, apples, turnips and onions.  Check out the cauliflower, beets and broccoli and roast away!  We have leeks and onions and shallots-all good in slaws and stews.  Red white and blue potatoes, large and small  go for roasting baking, purees. Squashes in many shapes & sizes are a seasonal delight-go sweet, go savory. Have you tried parsnip or rutabaga fries- awesome-done just like french fries! Look for cranberries,

Beetiful and fresh at Gracies Garden

especially the fresh ones, waiting for our fresh yogurt and cream. We've got butter and milk too, and eggs aplenty.

This is also the time of year when our preserves-traditional pickles and sauces, lactofermented vegetables, shine as side dishes in their own right.  When time is at a premium, head for a freezer full of delicious home made soups, inventive and luxe seafood casseroles, fresh fish cakes and savory pies and casseroles. We have all kinds of meat, poultry and fish-even rabbit and duck.

So many cheeses available at once  is our own little miracle, and a growing selection of dried sausages rounds out the appetizer,  snack and pizza plates. Our bakers are busy with treats galore-pies and cakes and country desserts-fresh farmhouse loaves and boules and baguettes. Bagels and bialys too and muffins.  One of our bakers

Be tempted by Blueberry Lemon Challah Bread Pudding at Beryls Pastries

specializes in gluten free items, and the others offer gf options too.

Holiday meals often make demands for heart of the country good stuff like our maple syrup, honey, jams and jellies, fresh cranberry sauce ketchup  and fruit syrups.  Stock up and be ready

And don't forget: Robin at Chase Farm is making fat bushy wonderful smelling wreaths for door, truck , gate.  or table.  What better way to start the season

Just a few of the choices at Appleton Creamery

Picks of the week:  Lets hear from our vendors for this one!

At Appleton Creamery, Caitlin offers " We have a fresh batch of Sisters Soap goats milk soaps this week, along with some new shapes and offerings! These make wonderful stocking stuffers!

Ask us about how to create your holiday cheese plate!"

 

Everything you need at Goranson Farm

Jan at Goranson Farm says "We will be bringing a wide variety of dry beans, maple syrup and 35 other veggies including greens and kale. We'll be bringing our Goranson Farm t-shirts, long and short sleeved to buy for Christmas gifts. 

And you can still buy prorated shares for this winter-don't miss next Saturday's pickup"

 

Soft and warm at Meadowcroft

Nanne at Meadowcroft shares this "  I plan to bring an expanded display of discount blankets, excellent for gift giving to someone you want to keep cozy, including yourself!  Got your wool in? Think: nutrient dense comfort,   From scratch, without the itch! Wool is love."

Brightly evocative syrups at Old Narrow Gauge Farm

At Old Narrow Gauge Farm, Amy is busy busy "And I teamed up with Nanne at Meadowcroft & made an apple jelly with mint & horseradish to pair with her lamb. The apples, mint & horseradish I harvested all at her farm."

As promised at Pemaquid Lobster & Seafood

Tracy at Pemaquid Lobster & Seafood has "turned our Gulf of Maine sea scallop inventory into a boatload of scallop casseroles. These 10 ounce pot pie size casseroles are made with scallops in a light cheese sauce with a panko crumb topping.  Regularly $12.50 each.  Buy two or more at $10 each.  They make a quick and easy dinner or a great gift for those who have everything"

Cherish the Day