The Philly Food Feed: September 2009

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

News and Events from the Food Trust

Sunday Supper III
What: Chef Mitch Prensky and Supper restaurant host the third Sunday Supper to benefit The Food Trust. This $38 prix fixe meal features ingredients from Headhouse Farmers' Market paired with local beers ($10 supplement). Reservations required.

Where: Supper, 926 South Street, 215-693-8180.

When: Sunday, October 4th, 6:30 p.m.

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At Clark Park Farmers' Market: Broken Banjo Band
What: Broken Banjo Band's Americana tunes

Where: Clark Park Farmers' Market, 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue

When: Saturday, October 3rd, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Follow the North Star... to Thursday Clark Park. Starting tomorrow, North Star Orchards, a Clark Park favorite for more than a decade, returns with their apples, Asian pears and ciders.

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More wine! More cheese! More chocolate! You've already marked your calendar -- October 15th -- for our Taste Local! Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Tasting Class, but you haven't bought your tickets yet. Do it now! Buy your tickets before Thursday, October 8th, and be entered to win a gift basket full of even more local wine, cheese and chocolate.

Monday, September 28, 2009

This Week's Farmers' Markets

This Week's Farmers' Markets
Markets in Philadelphia unless noted otherwise.

Rittenhouse Farmers' Market
Walnut Street (south sidewalk), west of 18th St.
Tueday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

University Square Farmers' Market
36th at Walnut St.
Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Girard & 27th Farm Stand Market
Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Fountain Farmers' Market
East Passyunk Ave., at 11th St. and Tasker St.
Wednesday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

East Lancaster
Historic Eastern Market
308 East King Street
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

City Hall Farmers' Market
Philadelphia City Hall
Wednesday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Broad & South Farmers' Market
Broad and South streets
Wednesday, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Cliveden Park
Chew Avenue and Johnson Street
Wednesday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Temple University Farmers' Market
Cecil B. Moore Avenue between Broad Street and Park Walk
Thursday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Weavers Way Farmers' Market
Carpenter Lane and Greene Street in front of High Point Cafe
Thursday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Jefferson Farmers' Market
On Chestnut Street east of 10th Street.
Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Norristown
Swede and Main streets
Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Oxford Circle
Oxford and Summerdale avenues
Thursday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Clark Park Farmers' Market
43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thursday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Fairmount Farmers' Market
22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue
Thursday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Schuylkill River Park Farmers' Market
25th and Spruce streets
Wednesday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Palmer Park Farmers' Market
Frankford Avenue and East Palmer Street
Thursday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Germantown Farmers' Market
Germantown Avenue and Walnut Lane
Friday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Roxborough Farmers' Market
Ridge Avenue at entrance to
Leverington Avenue parking lot.
Friday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Overbrook Farms Farmers' Market
63rd Street between Sherwood Road
and Overbrook Avenue
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

East Falls Farmers' Market
Midvale Avenue near Ridge Avenue.
Friday 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Fitler Square Farmers' Market
23rd and Pine streets
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Phoenixville Farmers' Market
Bridge Street and Taylor Alley
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wrightstown Farmers' Market
2203 2nd Street Pike (Rt. 232)
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Glenside Farmers' Market
Easton Rd. and Glenside Ave
Glenside, Pennsylvania
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Chestnut Hill Growers Market
Winston Road between Germantown Avenue
and Mermaid Lane.
Saturday, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm

Conshohocken
Fayette and West Hector streets
Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bryn Mawr Farmers' Market
Municipal Lot 7 on Lancaster Ave.
Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm

Catasauqua
Pine Street between Front and Railroad streets
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Manayunk Farmers' Market
Canal View Park on Main St., near Gay St.
Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm

Lansdowne Farmers' Market
Lansdowne Avenue Parking Lot
between Baltimore Pike and Stewart Avenue
Saturday, 9 a.m to 1 p.m.

Collingswood Farmers' Market
Between Collings Ave and Irving Ave.
Collingswood, New Jersey
Saturday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Headhouse Farmers' Market
2nd and Lombard streets
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

North Hills-Oreland Farmers' Market
110 Pennsylvania Avenue near Twining Road
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Swarthmore Farmers' Market
In front of the Swarthmore Co-op
Saturday, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm

Lansdale
Railroad Plaza
Main and Green streets
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

West Reading
500 block of Penn Avenue
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Blogger's Choice Awards

We've been nominated for Best Food Blog at the Blogger's Choice Award website. If you have time, click on the link to the right and give us a vote!

From the Food Trust

Sunday Supper III
What: Chef Mitch Prensky and Supper restaurant host the third Sunday Supper to benefit The Food Trust. This $38 prix fixe meal features ingredients from Headhouse Farmers' Market paired with local beers ($12 supplement). Reservations required.

Where: Supper, 926 South Street, 215-693-8180.

When: Sunday, October 4th, 6:30 p.m.

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Dog Day at the Lansdowne Farmers' Market
What: Fun for you and Fido, including, dog-centric market vendors, dog portraits and a dog parade with prizes.

Where: Lansdowne Farmers' Market, Lansdowne Avenue parking lot, between Baltimore Pike and Stewart Avenue

When: Saturday, September 26th, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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Soiree at the Shambles
What: An evening of food, frolic and fun, hosted by the Head House Conservancy, Old City Civic Association, Queen Village Neighborhood Association, Society Hill Civic Association and South Street Head House District, to support the shambles.

Where: 400 block of South 2nd Street

When: Wednesday, September 30th, 7 p.m. (RSVP by September 23rd)

For more information: 215-370-6485

This Week's Farners' Markets

Monday, September 21, 2009

Check Out Three Springs Fruit Farm Photo Gallery

Check out the Three Springs Farm Photo Gallery and you might recognize a name or two...By the way, their Honeycrisp Apples ground up with a food processor and mixed with oatmeal is a religious experience.

Huffington Post Presents - How to Can and Preserve for the Winter

Any avid reader of this blog knows that we here at the Philly Food Feed appreciate the Green section of the Huffington Post almost as much as Honeycrisp Apples. This week, they are highlighting Canning and Preserving with a section of how-to videos sent in by their readers. I have watched a few of these and have come away with some great ideas. Not only can you vote on your favorite video, you can send in your own pictures or videos as well! If any of you out there are avid canners or are interested in learning how, go check it out! Here is an example of what's going on over there:

Incidentally, if any of you out there in Philly Food Feed land have any canning recipes or ideas, comment to this post with them or e-mail me at benjamin82877@gmail.com and I will be sure to post them. Sharing experiences makes being a foodie fun!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Presidential Produce

While I am sure there are those out there who are already smitten with the President and the First Lady, here is yet another reason to swoon. And for those are aren't smitten, well, here is a reason to change your tune. The Obama's dig farmers' markets and have no problem telling us so. From the Huffington Post:

First lady Michelle Obama bought cheese, fingerling potatoes, eggs, black kale and other items Thursday at the launch of a new farmers market blocks from the White House.
Before shopping, Mrs. Obama spoke about the importance of healthy eating to about 300 shoppers gathered in the drizzling rain.
"I have never seen so many people so excited about fruits and vegetables," she told the cheering crowd.
The first lady said she wasn't always so invested in healthy foods.
"I was a working mother trying to put it all together," she said. "Takeout food was a primary part of our diet."
But Mrs. Obama explained that she gradually saw the effect eating better had on the health and habits of her children.
"The kind of food that we put into our body gives us the energy to get through the day," she said.
Mrs. Obama praised farmers markets as places where Americans can learn more about how their food is produced.
"You get to know the people who grow your food, how they do it, you know, who they are as people," she said.
These markets play an especially important in neighborhoods where access to healthy options are limited, she added.
The first lady has been promoting locally grown food and healthy eating with a popular vegetable garden at the White House.

So there you have it. It's nice to see a progressive view of eating coming from the top down for a change. Now if this could translate into policy, especially concerning the Farm Bill and school lunches, we all would be better off.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Philadelphia Green Fest - Part I

So Sunday was the fourth annual Green Fest on South Street in Philadelphia. I wanted to blog about the Feed’s experience there but there was just so much information on various degrees of sustainable living that I had to take some time to sift through it all and I’m still not done. I think I’m just going to blog a little about it now and periodically throughout the next few weeks I will pepper in information from the various kiosks and vendors I encountered.

Before I even begin addressing Green Fest, I just wanted to mention that before we even began touring the fest, we started our Sunday at the Headhouse Farmers’ Market, as has been our weekly custom this summer. After numerous suggestions to try North Star Orchard’s Asian Pears, I had to give them a try. Thank heavens. I have never been privy to an Asian Pear and I’m fairly certain there are those out there in Philly Food Feed Land (if such a place existed…) who have not tasted this bodacious bounty of nature. Here is the deal – it crunches like an apple, tastes like a sweet, sweet pear, and has enough juice to run down both arms. I saw people paying and then eating the pears without skipping a beat; I now know why. If there is ever any advice you take from this blog, take this – get these pears while they last. Well, wait. There is one more piece of advice to take if you ever take any – after you are done buying these pears at North Star, take a little walk through the throngs of people to the Feed’s old friend – Ben Wenk at Three Springs Fruit Farm for his Honey Crisp Apples. I mean really. These apples are as big as my baby son’s head and have as much flavor. No, my son’s head doesn’t have flavor, but you get my drift. The flavor is so well balanced between sub-acid and mildly aromatic and they are loaded with juice; the flavor of these apples make your eyes roll into the back of your head. Plus, eating one is like eating an entire meal. I have said it before and I will say it again – go Ben Wenk and GO THREE SPRINGS FRUIT FARM!!!

Ok, now on the Green Fest.Sustainable living descended upon 2^nd and South like Amber Waves of Green. Everywhere we looked we were bombarded with information about solar power, organic foods, RGBH in school children’s milk, orchards in the city, sustainable cake, the horrors of factory farming…I could go on. Like I said, I’m going to take it slow, one at a time. Today I’m going to spotlight a charming little cup cake company that, among other delectable, delightfully decorated delicacies, bakes up a line of “Green Cakes”! A Cupcake Wonderland offers a line of cupcakes using organic and local ingredients. And these cupcakes aren’t just eatable, they are art. They look almost too good to eat! Check out their website and if you are even in need of cupcakes, look to Lily and Erin first! Just check out their website and look at their Oscar the Grouch cupcake and tell me it isn't incredible! Baby Ethan's birthday is next week...hmmm...And by the way, they are looking for local soy milk producers. If you have any ideas, give them a ring!

Some Events from the Food Trust

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Soiree at the Shambles
What: An evening of food, frolic and fun, hosted by the Head House Conservancy, Old City Civic Association, Queen Village Neighborhood Association, Society Hill Civic Association and South Street Head House District, to support the shambles.

Where: 400 block of South 2nd Street

When: Wednesday, September 30th, 7 p.m. (RSVP by September 23rd)

For more information: 215-370-6485

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Last chance! Sunday is your last chance to get a taste of Yoder Heirlooms. It's their last day at Headhouse Farmers' Market. Ever. These great farmers are moving from Lititz, PA, to farm in Washington, ME. Road trip, anyone?

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

This Week's Farmers' Markets

Thursday, September 10, 2009

North Star's Asian Pears

I got an e-mail today from Katy Wich, Headhouse Market's Manager, passing on some info regarding North Star Orchard this Sunday at the Headhouse -

News flash: We have Asian pears! Sweet and super-juicy, "Hosui" Asian pears are a big favorite. Although it's always sad to see the peach and tomato season dwindle, it means that the Hosui are here! We'll also have apple cider, and possibly Asian pear cider.

Not that I needed yet another reason to show up this Sunday...LOL

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Ok, Check This Out!

From the Food Trust:

GreenFest Philly
What: The theme for Philly's 4th annual GreenFest is food! Shop the Headhouse Farmers' Market (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) then explore the offerings of hundreds of green-friendly exhibitors, from eco-fashion to recycled art and, of course, sustainable foods.

When: September 13th, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: 2nd and South streets

I just checked out the GreenFest site and this looks like it's going to be awesome! Food symposiums, over 250 eco-vendors running the gambit from solar design to organic food, music, kids activities and all in the name of sustainability! And the theme this year is FOOD!!!

From their website:

Highlighting everything from ORGANIC to BUYING LOCALLY to having a vegetarian or PASTURE-RAISED AND GRASS-FED diet, this year's event will allow us to educate others on the importance of supporting our local farmers' markets as well as how to make more conscious decisions at the grocery store. Come and try some of the eco-friendly foods available and learn about the impact our food choices have on the environment. Find out how easy it is for you to grow your own food - even if you are living in a studio apartment in Center City! Come and learn the truth about food from the green leaders in the Organic Food Industry at our Food Symposium.

I am there! I better make some more cards. I AM SUPER PSYCHED ABOUT THIS!!! Now come on all you locavores and eco-warriors out there in Philly Food Feed land...(in my best Jim Breuer from Half-Baked) WHO'S COMING WITH ME???

This Week's Farmers' Markets

Saturday, September 5, 2009

The Eat Well Guide

I'm always visiting new blogs and sites that promote local and sustainable food and I just found a great new one! The Eat Well Guide is probably the greatest tool I have ever seen on the internet to help connect people to local food in their area. You can make personal guides to print out based on exactly what you are looking for. You want organic, pastured, bison? It will tell you where in your area to get it! If you are going on a trip, you can enter your starting and ending destinations and the guide will tell you points on your trip to find local foods! It's really amazing. Don't just take my word for it though...check it out! I also added a widget to the blog so when you are on, you can just enter your zip code and boom - sustainable food. Happy hunting!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Great Article About Canning From the Philadelphia Inquirer

For all of you locavores that don't know what you are going to do come this Winter...Preserve Food To Keep Summer's Bounty Coming

More Accolades for Ben Wenk and Three Springs Fruit Farm

Another magazine appearance for Philly Food Feed favorite Ben Wenk and Three Springs Fruit Farm! This time it's Relish Magazine. This guy's head is going to get as big as his heirloom tomatoes! Check it out!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

This Week's Farmers' Markets

Headhouse and a New Spot for the Feed!

Wow, has it actually been a week since I posted anything here? Holy man, I need to be a bit more diligent around here. We are entering into peak season here for local food! As Ben Wenk states on his blog at Three Springs Fruit Farm:

If you're a locavore who goes out of his or her way to eat seasonally, then, all jokes aside, this really is the most wonderful time of the year! Tomatoes, Sweet Corn, Peaches, Apples, Pears, Onions... Potatoes and Cider right around the corner... this is when so many of the things we all enjoy eating - things whose qualities are only best enjoyed in season... all of these things are ripe and in prime production!

So there you go. While I may have been remiss in my lack of posting, the Feed did make two market trips this weekend (We are counting Monday since Sarah took off for my birthday. My birthday was actually Friday, but I am sort of like Lincoln; I get a whole weekend. I think banks might have been closed. I digress…). On Sunday, we made out weekly appearance at the Headhouse Farmers’ Market in Philadelphia proper.

I had a discussion with Tom over at Blooming Glen Farm about heirloom tomatoes. I recently read The 64 Tomato by William Alexander. Tomato is one man’s existential journey through his gardening. I recommend it. Anyway, Alexander’s tomato is none other than the heirloom Brandywine tomato. I wanted to purchase said tomato and elicited Tom’s help in identifying and picking the best ones. There was also an almost neon green tomato in the bunch that intrigued me. Tom identified it as a Green Giant. I bought a couple of the Brandywines and a Green Giant. I used one Brandywine and a Green Giant for a Bruschetta I made. Both tomatoes were flavorful, my poor excuse for a Bruschetta not withstanding. Regardless of any kitchen bungles, being able to speak to the person who grew my tomato and him actually being able to tell me something about what I am eating rules. One time I asked a guy in the Acme where some tomatoes came from and he told me they were organic. Awesome.

I had to see Ben Wenk over at Three Springs. His description of the season’s bounty needed to be verified. I can now verify. Coming away with only pounds of Crestview Peaches and Gingergold Apples belies that there wasn’t a huge selection. It is only my budget that stopped me from purchasing heirloom tomatoes, yellow Bartlett pears, blackberries and a capital ETC. of other delectable delights. Incidentally, I had one of those Crestviews today and the juice ran down my arm. Nice.

On Monday, it was such a nice day, Sarah and I decided to take Ethan sightseeing around Delaware County. During this trip, we stumbled upon Pete’s Produce Farm. Nestled in Westtown, Pennsylvania, Pete’s Farm Stand is a locavore’s dream. Aisle after aisle of fruits and vegetables, 9 times out of ten labeled “grown here” “or “local”; they even had their own line of dressings, jams, ketchup…just tons of stuff. Pete’s takes their local pedigree seriously; they had literature on the walls detailing carbon footprints among other educational material pertaining to local produce. They even had free Buy Fresh, Buy Local bumper stickers…gratis. It will be much easier to spot my Camry in Wegmans' parking lot now, that’s for sure. And by the way, when you make your way to Pete’s, don’t forget to pick up some Natural By Nature, Certified Organic, Grass Fed, Cow’s Milk. Turns out, Natural By Nature is right out of West Grove, Pennsylvania and they have a full line of Certified Organic, Grass Fed, dairy products! They have a retail store in Avondale and I think soon Sarah, Ethan, and I will be taking a trip!