The Downtown Farmers Market offers a convenient, open-air alternative to shop for locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, flowers, baked goods and fresh bread. Throughout this growing season, The Market will feature as many as 50 regional farmers providing some of the freshest, healthiest produce available in Central New York. This newsletter will be sent out every Monday afternoon during the 2021 Farmers Market season. Please forward it to your family, friends and fellow Farmers Market fans. If they'd like to subscribe to our Farmers Market Newsletter, please have them send us an email at Mail@DowntownSyracuse.com.
*Please note, if the newsletter cuts out in your inbox, there is a button on the lower-left corner, with a prompt to "Click for more information." This will bring you to the complete version of the newsletter.
|
|
What did the Spinach say to the Celery? |
|
FREE COVID-19 VACCINES AT THE DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET |
|
|
|
Free COVID-19 Vaccinations: House Calls for the Homeless will be at The Market from 10:00 am to 10:00 am (one hour only) to provide free COVID-19 vaccinations (Johnson & Johnson) to anyone who would like one. Upstate Pain Management and Addiction Services will also be on hand with information for the community.
Organizers continue to follow public health guidance for Farmers Markets, as outlined by New York State Agriculture and Markets.
Masks/face coverings are optional for those who are fully vaccinated, and requested for those who are not. Handwashing stations and hand sanitizer is provided as well.
|
|
|
|
DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET VENDOR SPOTLIGHT |
|
|
|
Amy Williams
The Bag Lady
Amy Williams started her reusable bag business by creating personalized totes, and gifting the items to friends. Lttle did she know her friends would soon become personal advertisers. The buzz about Amy’s first creation – a reusable, soft bag with reversible sides – spread quickly through word of mouth. Now, she has a presence at two area farmers markets - including the Downtown Farmers Market - and participates in local craft fairs. In addition to the shoulder bag totes, she also makes compact fabric pouches that are perfect to carry makeup and makeup brushes, crayons, art supplies, nail polish, glasses and more. Gift sleeves hold wine bottles, candles, mason jars and other slim items, too. Plus, blankets and burp cloths go over well with babies and moms-to-be.
Amy can create the pieces from whatever pattern your personality fancies. She even takes fabric requests!
All of her designs all functional and easy to wash. They can go in with any laundry load, and because they're made out of flannel, there is minimal shrinkage.
|
|
|
|
ITEM OF THE WEEK: SPINACH |
|
|
|
Spinach belongs to the Goosefoot family, and is a close relative of Beets and Swiss Chard.
On average, it's estimated that the average American eats three pounds of Spinach per year.
Spinach is a great source of iron - There is more iron in 100 grams of spinach than there is in 100 grams of hamburger patty.
Spinach farmers in the 1930s saw a 33% boost in business, which they attribute to the creation of the cartoon Popeye the Sailorman, who loved the iron-rich vegetable. Speaking of Popeye, the popular cartoon was created by E.C. Segar, a vegetarian. By boosting his character's strength through Spinach, Segar was able to promote the benefits of vegetables.
Health benefits attributed to Spinach include skin care, improved eyesight, stronger bones, stronger muscles, regulated blood pressure, heart health, preventing or managing diabetes, and more.
When most vegetables are cooked, health benefits are lost. However, with Spinach, as the vegetable is cooked, it actually becomes healthier. Half a cup of cooked spinach contains three times as many nutrients as half a cup of raw spinach.
|
|
|
|
"JUST SAY YES TO FRUITS AND VEGETABLES" DEMONSTRATIONS |
|
 |
Storing Fruits & Vegetables
Nutrition educators from the Food Bank of Central New York will be back at the Downtown Farmers Market tomorrow to host workshops and recipe demonstrations as part of the "Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables" (JSY) program. This week, they are focused on providing tips to store fruits and vegetables. Heather Brubaker will show attendees how to prepare a Fruit & Spinach Salad. Workshops start hourly between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm at The Market, and run about 40-minutes.
Nutrition educators will be on-site for the next two months, through September 28.
|
|
|
|
Summer Squash White Bean Salad
In case you missed it, last week the Food Bank of Central New York showed market-goers how to prepare a Summer Squash White Bean Salad. The recipe can be found in the accompanying image above.
Remember, everyone who watches the Food Bank of Central New York's weekly demonstrations will receive a recipe sample (which will be sealed for health and safety purposes), colorful recipes and other related handouts, a useful kitchen item and $4.00 in Health Bucks, which can be used to purchase locally-grown produce from Downtown Farmers Market vendors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sunny Early, Storms After 3 pm
High: 85 degrees
Skies will start off mostly sunny, but as the afternoon goes on, the chance for showers and thunderstorms increases. It might be helpful to pack an umbrella just in case.
|
|
SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT AT THE MARKET |
|
|
|
@RobPetrieDesignArts stopped by the Downtown Farmers Market during his lunchbreak, and drew a sketch of a Market scene. Check out how he portrayed Lao Village, matched up with the real-life scenery. Thank you Rob!
|
|
|
|
Each week in this newsletter, we will feature photos taken at the Downtown Farmers Market, shared by you! We always love to follow your Market experience and see what you make with your purchases. If you have a picture you'd like to share with us, please tag us on Facebook (@DowntownSyracuse), or Instagram (@downtownsyracuse). We also welcome tags in your Instagram stories!
|
|
What did the Spinach say to the Celery?
Quit stalking me!
What vegetable are enemies of sailors?
Leeks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
