News and blog

Update for Saturday Saturday June 2nd

Last Saturday was a great day from the market.  Thanks to everyone for stopping by.

As I mentioned last week, I was away- actually in Paris, France with my wife Cristy.  We had a fabulous time, eating and drinking our way across the city.  We stayed in an apartment so we could visit farmers markets and small neighborhood markets to buy food and cook at home.  The markets were fabulous and we were able to procure a great selection of breads, cheese, fish, meat, fois gras, pastries, wine, etc.  The quality of the food was incredible.  I took lots of photos so please stop by the PA Made Cheese booth if you would like to check them out.

Also, I finally had some time to read the olive oil expose book- Extra Virginity by Tom Mueller.  It was a very interesting read- please see the California Olive Oil Connection below for more information.

As far as the market update, I had a chance to speak with all the farmers this week and have an update below.  I am happy to report that we have a number of new locally grown items this week.  Enjoy!

David Lagnese 

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The Update

Greenawalt Farm

California Olive Oil Connection- As I mentioned I read the book Extra Virginity while I was in Paris.  The book basically tells the story about how most of the oil that we get here is definitely not "extra Virgin" olive oil.  In most cases it is much lower quality oil and in some cases actually adulterated oil.  It is really a shocking story.  The book also does a lot to educate on the history of olive oil and some of the keys to obtaining high quality EVO today.  I am happy to report that he gave pretty high marks the artisinal olive oils which are being produced in California and that I am carrying at the market.  It made me feel really good about what we are doing at the market by bringing these oils to Pittsburgh.

The biggest take-away I got from the book is that the key is to continue to educate consumers on quality oils.  So I am working on developing some materials that can be used to provide more information on the orgins and taste profiles of the oils that we carry.

I also though it would help if more people can read the Extra Virginity book.  It cost about $25, so I decided to buy 4 copies and will start a little lending library so people can check out the book out and then return it when done.  I will have the books at the market this Saturday so stop by and borrow a copy.

Also check out the website for more information:
http://www.extravirginity.com/

The Greek Gourmet- will have homemade spinach and meat pies to the market each week- in addition to 20+ flavors of hummus.

PA Made Cheese- As mentioned last week, we now have wheels of that fabulous Pecorino Romano from Otterbein Acres called "Ewe's Dream".  This is a very flavorful cheese thart can be used for grating on pasta or jus eating.  We also have fresh shipments from Riverview Dairy (Goat milk cheese) and Common Folk Organics Blue cheese and mushroom leek.  Fresch curds from Arsenal cheese will also be available.

Kew Park Coffee Bar- We have more locally roasted beans from Kew Park Coffee Estate in Jamaica.

Summary of Produce Available

Veggies

• Potatoes
• PA Mushrooms
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• Cooking greens
• Carrots and other root vegetables
• Onions
• Cauliflower
• Tomatoes
• Shallots
• Peppers- sweet and hot
• Ramps
• Micro greens
• Garlic
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Green beans
• Turnips
• Broccoli
• Rhubarb
• Asparagus

Fruit

• Strawberries
• Apples
• Bananas
• Pears
• Florida Citrus such as lemons, limes and oranges
• Grapes
• Other fruit such as berries

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please visit the market's website for information on the market and all the vendors.  You can sign up for a weekly email update.
 

http://www.farmersmarketcooperativeofeastliberty.com/

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The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty is located at 344 North Sheridan Ave., adjacent to the Home Depot parking lot.  The market operates year round- and is open from 5 AM until 12 noon every Saturday of the year.

Update for Saturday Saturday May 26th- Memorial Day Weekend

I am traveling today and so had limited opportunity to check with the farmers.  But I did provide as much information as I could below.  I have heard from the farmers that the Saturday before Memorial Day is one of the busiest days of the year.  So please stop by and support the farmers.

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The Update

Greenawalt Farm

Zang's Greenhouse...  Locally grown itmes this week include asparagus, spincah, micro greens, green onions and lettuce.  RICK WILL ALSO HAVE FRESH LOCALLY GROWN STRAWBERRIES!

The Greek Gourmet- will have homemade spinach and meat pies to the market each week- in addition to 20+ flavors of hummus.

PA Made Cheese- Thanks to my brother-in-law.  He stopped by the Otterbein Acres Sheep Farm and Dairy and picked up 6 wheels of the "Ewe's Dream" Pecorino Romana.  This is a very flavorful cheese thart can be used for grating on pasta or jus eating.  We also have fresh shipments from Riverview Dairy (Goat milk cheese) and Common Folk Organics Blue cheese and mushroom.  Fresch curds from Arsenal cheese will also be available.

Kew Park Coffee Bar- We have more locally roasted beans from Kew Park Coffee Estate in Jamaica.

Summary of Produce Available

Veggies

• Potatoes
• PA Mushrooms
• Squash
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• Carrots and other root vegetables
• Onions
• Cauliflower
• Tomatoes
• Shallots
• Peppers- sweet and hot
• Ramps
• Micro greens
• Garlic
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Green beans
• Turnips
• Broccoli
• Rhubarb
• Asparagus

Fruit

• Apples
• Bananas
• Pears
• Florida Citrus such as lemons, limes and oranges
• Grapes
• Other fruit such as berries

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please visit the market's website for information on the market and all the vendors.  You can sign up for a weekly email update.
 

http://www.farmersmarketcooperativeofeastliberty.com/

*********************************************************

The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty is located at 344 North Sheridan Ave., adjacent to the Home Depot parking lot.  The market operates year round- and is open from 5 AM until 12 noon every Saturday of the year.

Update for Saturday Saturday May 19th

More locally grown items are appearing at the market.  Please see the update below for details.  

In case you missed that article from last Wednesday in the Tribune Review please check it out:

http://triblive.com/home/1512851-74/cheese-steak-asparagus-market-potatoes-heat-red-lemon-meat-milk

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The Update

Greenawalt Farm

Zang's Greenhouse... Special items for this week include locally grown asparagus, rhubarb, micro greens, ramps and lettuce.  Rick will also have cooking greens (shipped in) and a variety of other vegetables.   

The Greek Gourmet- will have homemade spinach and meat pies to the market each week- in addition to 20+ flavors of hummus.

PA Made Cheese- We have fresh shipments from Riverview Dairy (Goat milk cheese) and Common Folk Organics.  We have more of the mushroom leek chese from Common Folk.  That has been quite popular.

Kew Park Coffee Bar- We have more locally roasted beans from Kew Park Coffee Estate in Jamaica. The dark roast was roasted just yesterday. 

Summary of Produce Available

Veggies

• Potatoes
• PA Mushrooms
• Squash
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• Carrots and other root vegetables
• Onions
• Cauliflower
• Tomatoes
• Shallots
• Peppers- sweet and hot
• Ramps
• Micro greens
• Garlic
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Green beans
• Turnips
• Broccoli
• Rhubarb
• Asparagus

Fruit

• Apples
• Bananas
• Pears
• Florida Citrus such as lemons, limes and oranges
• Grapes
• Other fruit such as berries

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please visit the market's website for information on the market and all the vendors.  You can sign up for a weekly email update.
 

http://www.farmersmarketcooperativeofeastliberty.com/

*********************************************************

The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty is located at 344 North Sheridan Ave., adjacent to the Home Depot parking lot.  The market operates year round- and is open from 5 AM until 12 noon every Saturday of the year.

Update for Saturday Saturday May 12th

More locally grown items are appearing at the market.  Please see the update below for details.  

The folks from the Tribune Review visited the market the last two weeks and ran a nice article yesterday. In case you missed it, please check it out:

http://triblive.com/home/1512851-74/cheese-steak-asparagus-market-potatoes-heat-red-lemon-meat-milk

***********************************************************************************************

The Update

Greenawalt Farm

Zang's Greenhouse... Special items for this week include locally grown asparagus, rhubarb and lettuce.  Rick will also have cooking greens (shipped in) and a variety of other vegetables.   He will also have potted flowers for Mothers Day and transplants.  

The Greek Gourmet- will have homemade spinach and meat pies to the market each week- in addition to 20+ flavors of hummus.

PA Made Cheese- 

The big news this week is that Dave and Terry Rice, owners and proprieters of Clover Creek Cheese Cellar will be making a visit to the market.  They will be there from approximately 8:30 until 11:00 am.  They will be brining some photos of the farm and will certainly be prepared to toalk about how the milk is produced and the cheese is made.  We are really excited to have Dave and Terry visit us at the market since he has such a large following of fans who love Clover Creek products.  Please stop by and welcome them to our market.

Kew Park Coffee Bar- We have more locally roasted beans from Kew Park Coffee Estate in Jamaica.  

Summary of Produce Available

Veggies

• Potatoes
• PA Mushrooms
• Squash
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• Carrots and other root vegetables
• Onions
• Cauliflower
• Tomatoes
• Shallots
• Peppers- sweet and hot
• Garlic
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Green beans
• Turnips
• Broccoli
• Rhubarb
• Asparagus

Fruit

• Apples
• Bananas
• Pears
• Florida Citrus such as lemons, limes and oranges
• Grapes
• Other fruit such as berries

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please visit the market's website for information on the market and all the vendors.  You can sign up for a weekly email update.
 

http://www.farmersmarketcooperativeofeastliberty.com/

*********************************************************

The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty is located at 344 North Sheridan Ave., adjacent to the Home Depot parking lot.  The market operates year round- and is open from 5 AM until 12 noon every Saturday of the year.

Update for Saturday Saturday May 5th

I just have a brief update for this week.  As I mentioned last week, we are all waiting for more locally grown items, but they are starting to  trickle in.  I am hearing from the farmers that this strange weather we are having is impacting many spring crops.  Here is an update on events at the market this Saturday.   A summary of the produce is at the bottom of the messsage. 

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The Update

Greenawalt Farm

Zang's Greenhouse... Special items for this week include locally grown asparagus.  Rick also will have a vegetable called kayland which he said is like broccoli rabe. He is hoping to have foraged Morels, but could not guarantee that.  Rick will also have cooking greens (shipped in) such as kale, collards and swiss chard.  

The Greek Gourmet- will have homemade spinach and meat pies to the market each week- in addition to 20+ flavors of hummus.

PA Made Cheese- Last Saturday we sold nearly all of the mushroom leek cheese from Common Folk Organics from Lancaster County.  I guess people liked it.  We got in lots of new cheese this week:

- Fresh curds from Arsenal Cheese
- Luddington Lace Swiss from God's Country Creamery
- Chev and Feta from Riverview Dairy

Also please note that Dave Rice from Clover Creek Cheese Cellar will be making a visit to the market next Saturday May 12th.  We are really excited to have Dave visit us at the market since he has such a large following of fans who love these cheese that he makes.  I will have more details next week.

Kew Park Coffee Bar- As many of you know, we have been out of dark roast for about a month now. The reason is that we are still in the process of transitioning to having beans roasted here locally vs., on the farm in Jamaica. I am happy to report that we will have both light and dark roast at the market this Saturday.  The beans were just roasted yesterday so will be very fresh.

Summary of Produce Available

Veggies

• Potatoes
• PA Mushrooms
• Squash
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• Carrots and other root vegetables
• Onions
• Cauliflower
• Tomatoes
• Shallots
• Peppers- sweet and hot
• Garlic
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Green beans
• Turnips
• Broccoli

Fruit

• Apples
• Bananas
• Pears
• Florida Citrus such as lemons, limes and oranges
• Grapes
• Other fruit such as berries

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please visit the market's website for information on the market and all the vendors.  You can sign up for a weekly email update.
 

http://www.farmersmarketcooperativeofeastliberty.com/

*********************************************************

The Farmers' Market Cooperative of East Liberty is located at 344 North Sheridan Ave., adjacent to the Home Depot parking lot.  The market operates year round- and is open from 5 AM until 12 noon every Saturday of the year.