Clark Park Farmers' Market open year-round in Philadelphia

I read about this on a site a stumbled upon, Seasonalchef.com, a site dedicated to finding and using locally produced foods. There is a farmers market that is open year-round in Philadelphia, Clark Park Farmers' Market. It's in the University City district.

It's located at 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue. Hours of operation are from May through November from 10am-2pm on Saturdays and 3-7pm on Thursdays and from 10am-1pm on Saturdays December through April.

On a February 14th trip to the market, the Seasonal Chef reported in his market report that

about a dozen farms were represented at this market today, offering meats, cheeses, dried herbs and beans, processed foods and a surprisingly varied array of produce, considering that its mid-winter and the temperature in these parts was in single digits just a few weeks ago. In addition to mushrooms, root crops and storage apples, there were nearly a dozen varieties of cold-tolerant greens including spinach, arugula, Tuscan and Russian kale, chard, collard greens, cabbage and brussel sprouts. There was even romaine lettuce grown in a greenhouse.

I just may have to go check this market out this Saturday. I have so missed going to the farmers market on Saturday mornings and am looking forward to the South Jersey ones opening up in May.

Image: papalars

Springdale Farms in Cherry Hill to re-open March 13

I got an e-mail from Springdale Farms today that they will re-open for the spring on March 13th.

Forget everything you ever heard about Friday the 13th…because our slumbering farm is rousing itself slowly from its winter rest to get ready for our re-opening in just 6 weeks!

Our store is filling with lovely items…our market is restocking with wines and cheeses…our bakery is filling with the scent of new spices and old favorites…and our greenhouses are beginning to come to life with tiny shoots and buds.

Hours will be:
Monday through Saturday, 8am to 7pm
Sunday, 8am to 6pm

If you click on the link above, it will take you to a web page of the e-mail I was sent. There is a coupon for buy 6 cider donuts, get 6 free. If you've never had their cider donuts, you need to try them. They are delicious.

Just today, I wrote a post on A Little Greener Every Day about the evidence of spring. Notice of Springdale Farms market opening for the season is just one more piece of evidence that spring is not too far off. Local foods will be getting easier to get in the next few months. I'm ready.

Heritage Station Winery's Valentine's weekend chocolate and wine tasting

I drove past the Heritage Station Winery and Market in the Richwood/Mullica Hill area the other day. My son's preschool class had gone apple picking in their orchards a couple of years ago, but I had forgotten about the place. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to stop in, but their sign outside caught my eye.

Heritage Station processes their own grapes and they process and bottle the wine in their own winery. They offer Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon as well as several fruit wines including Peach, Apple, Sugar Plum, Sour Cherry and Blueberry. They have tastings seven days a week and offer wine and cheese tastings with reservations.

They also have Wine 101 classes. The next one will be February 28th and the cost is $30.

What caught my eye as I drove past, however, was the sign advertising this upcoming Valentine's weekend's event. They are offering wine and chocolate tastings from 12 - 5 on Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $8/person.

The market sells various jarred food with the Heritage Station logo on it - jams, salsas, etc. I'm not sure how much of it comes from their own farm, but it may be a source of local foods in the winter.

I don't know if I'll be able to make it down there this weekend, but I do hope to get there sometime soon, and I'll let you know what I find.

Heritage Station
480 Mullica Hill Road (Rte 322)
PO Box 26
Richwood, NJ 08074
Ph. 856-589-4474

More info on The Fifth Annual Brewer's Plate

The Fifth Annual Brewer's Plate

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

What: The Brewer's Plate is the main fundraiser to support ALL of the programs at Fair Food. This marquee event of Philly Beer Week 2009 showcases excellent pairings of gourmet food from independent, local restaurants and craft beers from local, artisinal brewers. Last year, twenty-one of the region’s top craft breweries paired with the Philadelphia area’s most distinguished and reputable restaurants to create a gourmet experience no food or beer lover should miss!
Where: UPENN Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
When: Sunday, March 8, 2009
Time: General Admission: 4:30-7:00pm; VIP Ticket Option: 4:00-7:00pm
To purchase tickets, CLICK HERE.

Farmicia: a Philadelphia restaurant that focuses on local and organics

I ate at Farmicia in Old City Philly last Saturday night and wrote a review for Mother Nature Network. Farmicia is one of the few restaurants in Philadelphia that focuses on local and organic foods. Wish we had one here in South Jersey!

Wegmans has a good deal on CFL's this week

I know this has nothing to do with food, but I would imagine that many of us locavores and locavore wannabes are also concerned about the environment. So I thought I'd pass this along.

In the Wegmans circular for 2/1 - 2/7, they are advertising Energy Star Earthmate CFL bulbs, 15w or 20w, for $1.99 each. They are regularly $3.99. The Earthmate CFL's are

energy saving, eco-sensitive CFL light bulbs are designed to reduce electricity consumption, prevent greenhouse gases, and fight global warming - all while providing long-lasting, economical, and reliable lighting for your home or business.

Earthmate light bulbs use 75% less electricity than comparable incandescent bulbs, which helps conserve natural resources used in energy generation - such as coal, oil, and natural gas - while reducing green house gas emissions. Replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient Earthmate bulbs will not only reduce your energy cost, but you'll be helping to fight global warming and preserving our planet for generations to come.

If you haven't bought CFL's yet because of their price, here's a chance to pick them up at a really good discount.

If you're concerned about how to handle a CFL if it breaks because of the mercury contained in it, the EPA website has detailed instructions.

If you're concerned about disposing of your CFL's once they burn out, you can go to Earth911 to find a disposal center near you.