Correction: Market on the Mall content will remain the same, however, most of our work will be provided at the www.marketonthemall.wordpress.com. Please click the link to redirect you our newest site for more information there, including: the newest blogs, how to obtain vendor applications, our current newsletter, much more pictures, information on our Fresh Tops program and so much more. We hope to see you there!
Regards,
Marker Manager
Although we didn’t make the list this year, there is always next year! The American Farmland Trust did their annual poll of the Top 20 farmers markets in the U.S., ranked by market size. They ranged from boutique markets (15 or fewer vendors), small markets (16-30 vendors), medium markets (31-55 vendors) and large markets (56+ vendors). Since we fit into the boutique category, we thought it was fitting to share with you the list of the top 5 boutique farms in the U.S.
1. King George Farmers Market – King George, VA (1082 votes)
2. Lansdowne Farmers Market – Lansdowne, PA (798 votes)
3. Glenwood Sunday Market – Chicago, IL (757 votes)
4. Farmers Market at Attleboro Farms – North Attleboro, MA (625 votes)
5. San Francisco Farmers Market at Crocker Galleria – San Francisco, CA (418 votes)
We want to give kudos to our fellow California markets as well, who are at the top of the pack when it comes to most farmers markets in the U.S. according to the USDA National Farmers Market Directory. Here are the TOP 5 farmers markets in California:
1. Davis Farmers Market – Davis (2896 votes)
2. Mountain View Farmers Market – Mountain View (949 votes)
3. San Francisco Farmers Market at Crocker Galleria – San Francisco 418
4. Brentwood Farmers Market – Brentwood (230 votes)
5. Ferry Plaza Farmers Market – San Francisco (189 votes)
A new “canning craze” has taken over produce enthusiasts everywhere. USA Today published an article that described how older techniques, such as canning, are becoming more mainstream in this modern era. It also serves a practical purpose, as it helps to preserve fruits and veggies longer, therefore eliminating the need to keep buying them on a monthly basis. During these hard economic times, canning is key!
Part of its popularity is the fact that it is easy as 1-2-3! Just remember that the overall labor and time it takes to can these foods is pretty time consuming. Although it is a relatively simple task, it is timely. It is also important to note that improper canning techniques can be a serious health hazard. Certain foods are not suitable for canning, such as green beans and asparagus (which have a low acid content). If you are a first time canner and would like some more information on the proper techniques of canning and which foods are safe to can, check out this post at the National Center for Food Preservation site. To read the USA Today article, click this link.
Buzz Buzz! Guess what? September is national honey month! So before you shoo away those busy little bees, take a second to thank them. Without these persistant little black and yellow insects, Americans wouldn’t be able to consume 1.5 pounds of honey on an annual basis! These hard-working, yet humble bees keep us in constant supply of of honey so that we have enough to consume to our sweet tooth’s content. They are also responsible for pollinating over 80% of the nation’s agrictultural crops. So you see…they are not just here to bug us (no pun intended) – but instead, they help us savor the sweet things in life!
Come out to the market Wednesdays and Fridays and sample some of the sweet tastes of one of our vendors, Carla's Organics. They offer various flavors of 100% raw organic honey, including wildflower, spring wildflower, afalfa and orange blossom. Get yours in a jar or with just the honeycomb. Come try the sweetness today!
Last month, the USDA announced its official 2010 National Farmers Market Directory and the official numbers are astounding. There are a whopping 6,132 operational farmers markets in the U.S. Can you imagine the amount of people living a more nutritious and healthy lifestyle because of all these markets?! That is a lot of people and we, here at Market on the Mall, are thrilled to be included in the national directory considering just one year ago, we were barely getting started! Now we have joined the ranks of thousands of other fantastic markets across the U.S. and we couldn’t be more excited. The USDA also reports that there was a 16 percent growth from 2009, when there was 5,274 markets at that time. We’d like to think we take a bit of credit for that increase!
As far as state by state comparisons go, California leads the pack with the most farmers markets of any other state, coming in at 580 (including our own Market on the Mall). New York came in at a close second with 461 markets, with Michigan rounding out the third spot at 271 markets. To see the full list of the top 10 states, click here. To search for a farmers market in your town (or anywhere in the U.S.) check out the USDA National Farmers Market Directory.
“Seeing such continued strong growth in the number of U.S. farmers markets indicates that regional food systems can provide great economic, social and health benefits to communities across the country.” Tom Vilsack, USDA Agriculture Secretary
Last month, the USDA announced its official 2010 National Farmers Market Directory and the official numbers are astounding. There are a whopping 6,132 operational farmers markets in the U.S. Can you imagine the amount of people living a more nutritious and healthy lifestyle because of all these markets?! That is a lot of people and we, here at Market on the Mall, are thrilled to be included in the national directory considering just one year ago, we were barely getting started! Now we have joined the ranks of thousands of other fantastic markets across the U.S. and we couldn’t be more excited. The USDA also reports that there was a 16 percent growth from 2009, when there was 5,274 markets at that time. We’d like to think we take a bit of credit for that increase!
As far as state by state comparisons go, California leads the pack with the most farmers markets of any other state, coming in at 580 (including our own Market on the Mall). New York came in at a close second with 461 markets, with Michigan rounding out the third spot at 271 markets. To see the full list of the top 10 states, click here. To search for a farmers market in your town (or anywhere in the U.S.) check out the USDA National Farmers Market Directory.
“Seeing such continued strong growth in the number of U.S. farmers markets indicates that regional food systems can provide great economic, social and health benefits to communities across the country.” Tom Vilsack, USDA Agriculture Secretary
On Wednesday, September 15, the Fulton Mall came alive with activity as mariachi infused music flowed through the open air market, amongst the excited chatter of visitors. Why all the commotion? It was in due to El Grito, the official kickoff of this years’ Mexican Independence Day festivities! The event is scheduled to run through the weekend and promises plenty of fun, food and excitement. That was apparent on Wednesday as our vendors got more customers than usual – from festivity patrons making their way toward our market near the stage. Sure, our vendors had to share their market space with other hot food vendors – but with offerings of tamales, tacos and burritos – who could complain?! It was a great time had by all and the added foot traffic proved to be an added benefit to our market vendors.
A representative from the Fresno Madera Agency on Aging came out to sign senior citizens, 60-years-old and up, for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) – which would give $2 vouchers (up to $20 total) to seniors wanting to buy fruits and veggies at any farmers market location. This was very successful, as many senior citizens came out to sign up, many of which heard about the vouchers through word of mouth at the Fulton Mall. Due to our Fresh Top’s program, we were able to match the amount of voucher money they wanted to spend with free extra money of the same amount. Larry Lawler, 62, of Fresno, thought it was too good to be true. “We get $20 dollars in vouchers and $20 more for free? I can’t believe it. This is my lucky day!” Indeed, Lawler was just one of many that took advantage of our Fresh Top’s incentive program and the senior vouchers. Our Fresh Top’s program will run through the end of September. For more information on how to obtain Seniors FMNP vouchers, call (559) 453-4405 or go to http://fmaaa.org/FoodPrograms.htm.
The next time you find yourself in the produce section at the grocery store, take a minute to think about the fruits and vegetables before you and imagine the long journey it took for these foods to go from farms around the U.S. right to your local grocery store.
According to the community alliance with family farmers, these foods travel an average 1,500-2,500 miles to get to your local grocery store and it takes as many as seven to 14 days in transit before they actually arrive. So although they may look ripe and juicy on the outside, they are not as fresh as they appear on the inside. One thing people might not know is that fruits and veggies sold in supermarkets are chosen for their long shelf life, as opposed to taste. That is why buying local is your best bet for the freshest quality in fruits and veggies!
Local farmers offer food that is fresher and better tasting due to the fact that the food is grown practically in your own backyard. Freshness right at your fingertips and they didn’t even have to travel across the state! It doesn’t get better than that. Buying local is also healthier for your family and the environment as a whole. You can choose to buy from farmers you trust. Knowing exactly where the food comes from and how it is grown is an added benefit to the consumer.
But above all else, the most influential aspect buying local can do for you is that it enables you to support our local farmers here in the Valley. Fresno County is home to more than 4,000 independently owned farmers and their families. Eating locally grown food brings your family and the community together to make healthy changes for everybody, which is fantastic thing to stand behind. So don’t forget to buy local, where fresh is best!
Mexican Independence Day is almost here! To commemorate this festive day that so many in our Valley celebrate, Market on the Mall will participate in El Grito, a celebration put on by the Downtown Association of Fresno. The phrase "El Grito" is known as the famous battle cry of the Mexican Revolution in 1810. This historic occasion will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 15 with plenty of food, drinks, live entertainment and fun activities starting at 11 a.m. and ending at 10 p.m. The night’s festivities are capped off with a live feed from Mexico, in which the Mexican president, Felipe Calderon, will make a patriotic speech that is broadcast across the world.
These festivities will carry on to Thursday, the 16th (the official day of Mexican Independence Day) and serves as an introduction to Fiestas Patrias - a three day long even that will bring in thousands to the Fulton Mall for this special event. There will be live Mexican music, traditional folklorico dancing, food, drinks vendors and much more. The festivities will go on through the weekend and is free to the public. So bring your family and friends out and take part in this once a year party in the heart of downtown!! Don't forget to visit our farmers market near the free speech stage area on Wednesday and Friday during our regular hours, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.!!
Fall is gearing up to be an exciting time for Market on the Mall. With a new season in swing, that means plenty more produce in season. Take a look at our list of vendors, read about some of our programs and get ready for September with our Fall 2010 newsletter. Read all about it here! To view the newsletter in a larger format, please click on each image below:
