News and blog

Update for Saturday, April 27th

Hi everyone, the market will be open this Saturday as usual.  Please see below for an update.

Ramp season has begun.  Rick Zang will have them for sure and Brian Greenawalt is driving around Somerset County right now trying to find some. 

Ramps are a recent favorite of mine.  They are only around for a short time, so get them while you can.

Check out the article Bob Batz wrote about Ramps in the Post-Gazette yesterday:

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/life/food/a-sure-sign-and-smell-of-spring-here-ramps-684842/

See you at the market- David Lagnese

******************************************************************************************
The Update....

J.L Kennedy Meat Stand

Special items for this Saturday

BONE-IN PORK LOIN, chops or roast but please call by Thursday eve so we can have what you need

BEEF ROASTS OF....

- EYE OF ROUND

- ROLLED RUMP

- SHOULDER/ARM ROASTS

***ANY STEAK CUT TO ORDER if called in by Thursday eve. esp since we are open only one day/week that are short hours fresh to you!!-

The number at the farm is 724-898-2316.

Kallari Chocolate Update-

Kallari chocolate bars are still available. More on Kallari...

Here is the website:
http://kallari.com/chocolate.html

A New York Times article on Kallari:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/dining/05choc.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&

A really interesting UTube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLKQBS07JN4

PA Made Cheese-  

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

BANDY Woodworks will have children's toys and games, and great items for the home and office using local reclaimed and salvaged wood and non-toxic finishes.  Cutting boards and wine racks make a great Valentine's gift for the foodie on your list!  Their booth is on the right when you walk in the front door from N. Sheridan, directly across from Greenawalt's.  Preview some of the items carried at the market by visiting  www.bandywoodworks.etsy.com.

*****************************************************
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/

Also,  check out the video about the market produced by Ths folks at East Liberty Development (ELDI).  It was directed and produced by local film maker Michael Pisano. So a great big thanks Michael and ELDI's Margaret Graham  for producing the video. So please check out the video and share it with others.

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

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, April 20th

Hi everyone, the market will be open this Saturday as usual. 

I was at a charity event last night and was not able to connect with the farmers for a detailed update.

I do have an update for the JL Kennedy Meat Stand, below.

See you at the market- David Lagnese

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

J.L Kennedy Meat Stand

Special items for this week:

- Local-raised GOAT meat....loin chops, ground meat- shanks- stock bones

- LAMB SHANKS- approx.  1# each

- SKIRT STEAKS- HANGER STEAKS- SIRLOIN STEAKS

**please keep phone call orders and any messages to ring in during our business hours of 9-9 mon-thurs and 9-6 on friday...

The number at the farm is 724-898-2316.

*****************************************************
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/

Also,  check out the video about the market produced by Ths folks at East Liberty Development (ELDI).  It was directed and produced by local film maker Michael Pisano. So a great big thanks Michael and ELDI's Margaret Graham  for producing the video. So please check out the video and share it with others.

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

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, April 6th

Hi everyone, the market will be open this Saturday as usual.  Please see below for an update.

See you at the market- David Lagnese

******************************************************************************************
The Update....

J.L Kennedy Meat Stand

Special items for this week:

- PORK TENDERLOINS

- BONE-IN PORK LOIN...ROASTS OR CHOPS...can be cut to any thickness if called in Thursday eve or Friday morning during our business phone hour

- EYE OF ROUND BEEF ROAST

- ROUND STEAKS OR CUBE STEAKS

**next GOAT pick-up is sat April 20th.. please place order soon

**please keep phone call orders and any messages to ring in during our business hours of 9-9 mon-thurs and 9-6 on friday...

The number at the farm is 724-898-2316.

Kew Park Coffee Bar-  We have a fresh batch of beans that were roasted by Commonplace Coffee Roasters.  Also, will have fresh squeezed grapefruit, tangerine, and orange juices. 

Kallari Chocolate Update-

Last week we had sold some of the California dried fruit that was dipped n Kallari chocolate.  It was a nice item to have for Easter.  We plan to do that periodically in the future, but not every week.  But we do plan to continue to sell the Kallari chocolate bars. 

As way of background, Kallari chocolate was introduced to us by Kelsey Sheridan- she is here in Pittsburgh attending the Food Studies program at Chatham. She has been helping us out at the PA Made Cheese counter over the past few months. Kelsey has a special love for chocolate, and has a relationship with the Kallari chocolate growing coop in Ecuador.  In 2009 Kelsey actually spent 3 months there living on the cocoa plantations.

Kallari is a farmer-owned cooperative chocolate company, grown in the Ecuadorian Amazon.  The cocoa is made into chocolate in a facility that is only 4 hours away. There are 1000+ families involved in the cooperative, and most of the cocoa is grown on individual family plots. The benefit to this "tree-to-bar" production is that cocoa beans stay fresher longer, cocoa farmers (paid on average $500/year/family) receive 100% of the profits, this saves them from having to sell their land to oil companies, and it is more environmentally sustainable than shipping beans across the ocean. Plus, they are in the process of creating a LEED certified renewable chocolate factory even closer to the cocoa. They are one of a handful of companies like this in the world that is "tree-to-bar" (chocolate is produced near where cocoa beans are grown).

The chocolate also tastes delicious, and is certified organic.  My daughter Maria Lagnese did the dipping- using apricots, nectarines, cherries, pears, almonds and walnuts.  For more information on Kallari chocolate....

Here is the website:
http://kallari.com/chocolate.html

A New York Times article on Kallari:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/dining/05choc.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&

A really interesting UTube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLKQBS07JN4

PA Made Cheese-  

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

BANDY Woodworks will have children's toys and games, and great items for the home and office using local reclaimed and salvaged wood and non-toxic finishes.  Cutting boards and wine racks make a great Valentine's gift for the foodie on your list!  Their booth is on the right when you walk in the front door from N. Sheridan, directly across from Greenawalt's.  Preview some of the items carried at the market by visiting  www.bandywoodworks.etsy.com.

*****************************************************
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/

Also,  check out the video about the market produced by Ths folks at East Liberty Development (ELDI).  It was directed and produced by local film maker Michael Pisano. So a great big thanks Michael and ELDI's Margaret Graham  for producing the video. So please check out the video and share it with others.

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

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, March 30th

This Saturday will be a big day at the market since its Easter weekend.  There will be many wonderful items available for your Easter table. Please read below for the weekly update, including information on a special chocolate event.

See you at the market- David Lagnese

******************************************************************************************
The Update....

J.L Kennedy Meat Stand

LAMB....please place orders a.s.a.p. as these local products are limited in supply...GROUND LAMB..LAMB SHOULDER ROAST OR STEW MEAT..SHANKS....BONELESS LEGS...

HALF-HAMS ARE VERY LIMITED...

ANY FRESH-CUT BEEF STEAKS OR ROASTS YOU CHOOSE..

SMOKED PHEASANTS ARE BACK.

SMOKED CHEDDAR CHEESE...all sales benefit our kids' cattle judging team

**We also have a few small frozen prime rib roasts @ a discounted price if you call to ask and place order

**Our meat stand will be celebrating spring and the holiday weekend with open house samples of goodies for our customers from 5:30 am until they run out!! SEE YOU SOON!

**please keep phone call orders and any messages to ring in during our business hours of 9-9 mon-thurs and 9-6 on friday...

The number at the farm is 724-898-2316.

Special Chocolate Event-

We always have lots of dried fruit and nuts at the California Connection stand.  To celebrate Easter, we thought it would be fun to dip some of those goodies in chocolate.  Of course we could not use just any chocolate, it needed to be a special chocolate direct from a small farm, like all of our products.

Enter Kelsey Sheridan- she is here in Pittsburgh attending the Food Studies program at Chatham. She has been helping us out at the PA Made Cheese counter over the past few months. Kelsey has a special love for chocolate, and has a relationship with the Kallari chocolate growing coop in Ecuador.  In 2009 Kelsey actually spent 3 months there living on the cocoa plantations.

Kallari is a farmer-owned cooperative chocolate company, grown in the Ecuadorian Amazon.  The cocoa is made into chocolate in a facility that is only 4 hours away. There are 1000+ families involved in the cooperative, and most of the cocoa is grown on individual family plots. The benefit to this "tree-to-bar" production is that cocoa beans stay fresher longer, cocoa farmers (paid on average $500/year/family) receive 100% of the profits, this saves them from having to sell their land to oil companies, and it is more environmentally sustainable than shipping beans across the ocean. Plus, they are in the process of creating a LEED certified renewable chocolate factory even closer to the cocoa. They are one of a handful of companies like this in the world that is "tree-to-bar" (chocolate is produced near where cocoa beans are grown).

The chocolate also tastes delicious, and is certified organic.  My daughter Maria Lagnese did the dipping- using apricots, nectarines, cherries, pears, almonds and walnuts.  For more information on Kallari chocolate....

Here is the website:
http://kallari.com/chocolate.html

A New York Times article on Kallari:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/dining/05choc.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&

A really interesting UTube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLKQBS07JN4

Greenawalt Farm

Kew Park Coffee Bar-  We have a fresh batch of beans that were roasted by Commonplace Coffee Roasters.  Also, will have fresh squeezed grapefruit, tangerine, and orange juices. 

PA Made Cheese-  

The local Haloumi was a big hit last week.  We will have some more available this week. This should make a great Easter appetizer.

This is the first of what is hoped to be a series of cheeses using sheep milk.  The cheeses are being made by Sam and Susie Byler from Riverview Dairy.  This initiative was made possible by the "Better Cheese for Pittsburgh" scholarship that was organized and funded by Slow Food Pittsburgh. The Bylers won a $2,500 scholarship last year and this provided funding to hire a cheese consultant to help develop the recipes and techniques. They used world renowned cheese Consultant Peter Dixon from Vermont.

To make sheep milk cheese happen, the Bylers needed access to sheep milk.  So they partnered with their neighbor, Aaron Schwartz who purchased a herd last fall.  The sheep are now producing milk, so the cheese is beginning to be made. Aaron is one of the leading farmers in Clarion River Organics.

Haloumi is a cheese that is traditionally made with half sheep, and half goat milk.  Its originally from Cyprus, but is very popular throughout Europe.  There is apparently not enough sheep and goat milk in Cyprus to meet the full demand, so they have begun making it with cows milk.  That has caused a whole controversy and debate in Europe about the standards for making Haloumi.  Thankfully, the Bylers are making it the traditional way, with sheep and goat milk. So no controversy here.

Haloumi is a very unique cheese as it does not melt, kind of like Indian Paneer cheese.  It's usually prepared by either grilling or cooking in a skillet after brushing it with olive oil.  It is then served with salad greens or vegetables.  I found some recipes on the web.  Check them out:

http://www.veggienumnum.com/2010/01/pan-fried-halloumi-salad/

http://www.squidoo.com/101-halloumi-recipes

This is really exciting news as this new cheese is the result of such a collaborative process.  We are honored that PA Made Cheese was able to help support the development of this cheese and will help in the sale and promotion of it.  I am heading up to visit with the Bylers this weekend to discuss the production of other sheep milk cheese that will require lengthy aging.

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

BANDY Woodworks will have children's toys and games, and great items for the home and office using local reclaimed and salvaged wood and non-toxic finishes.  Cutting boards and wine racks make a great Valentine's gift for the foodie on your list!  Their booth is on the right when you walk in the front door from N. Sheridan, directly across from Greenawalt's.  Preview some of the items carried at the market by visiting  www.bandywoodworks.etsy.com.

*****************************************************
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/

Also,  check out the video about the market produced by Ths folks at East Liberty Development (ELDI).  It was directed and produced by local film maker Michael Pisano. So a great big thanks Michael and ELDI's Margaret Graham  for producing the video. So please check out the video and share it with others.

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

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.

Hello Farmers Market Fans

I want to alert you all to a special event that is occurring tomorrow (Sunday March 24th).  Slow Food Pittsburgh is sponsoring a fund raiser for the "Better Cheese for Pittsburgh" Cheese Scholarship.  The event is at Legume Bistro.  Food and drinks will be prepared by some of the best restaurant people in Pittsburgh.  Everyone involved is donating their time.  Legume owners Trevett and Sarah Hooper are making their restaurant available for the event.  

In addition to all the chefs and mixologists who have given their time and talent, four cheese makers will be there in person to share samples, stories, and sell their cheese.

It's a cocktail party format and runs from 5 to 7 pm.  Forty dollars includes appetizers, cocktails, tax and tip.  This is a great value considering all the food and cocktails that will be served at the event.  Please check out the website for more information.

http://www.slowfoodpgh.com/calendar/sous-chefs-cook-for-a-cause-better-cheese-for-pittsburgh

I hope you can make it.  Please also help spread the word.

David

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

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/

Also,  check out the video about the market produced by Ths folks at East Liberty Development (ELDI).  It was directed and produced by local film maker Michael Pisano. So a great big thanks Michael and ELDI's Margaret Graham  for producing the video. So please check out the video and share it with others.

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

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, March 23rd

The market will be open as usual this Saturday.  Please read below for the weekly update.

I would like to mention that the 7th Annual Farm to Table event is this weekend at the David Lawrence Convention Center.  The Farmers Market Coop of East Liberty will have a booth at the the event this year.  So if you are able to make it, please stop by and say hello.

The event is happening today and tomorrow, from 10 am until 5.  Tickets are $15 and are available online or at the door.  There is also a special food tasting event this evening.  Check out the website for more information:

http://farmtotablepa.com/conference.

See you at the market- David Lagnese

******************************************************************************************
The Update....

J.L Kennedy Meat Stand

Special items for this week include....

- HAM SLICES
- MANY SAUSAGE VARIETIES
- EYE OF ROUND...ROLLED RUMP...ARM/SHOULDER ROASTS

**PLEASE place your Easter pick up order for next week A.S.A.P. since we are open on just Saturdays, we need to plan ahead to have your local meat products ready for your special occassion.

**please keep phone call orders and any messages to ring in during our business hours of 9-9 mon-thurs and 9-6 on friday...

The number at the farm is 724-898-2316.

Greenawalt Farm

Kew Park Coffee Bar-  We have a fresh batch of beans that were roasted by Commonplace Coffee Roasters.  Also, will have fresh squeezed grapefruit, tangerine, and orange juices. 

PA Made Cheese-  

The local Haloumi was a big hit last week.  We will have some more available this week. 

This is the first of what is hoped to be a series of cheeses using sheep milk.  The cheeses are being made by Sam and Susie Byler from Riverview Dairy.  This initiative was made possible by the "Better Cheese for Pittsburgh" scholarship that was organized and funded by Slow Food Pittsburgh. The Bylers won a $2,500 scholarship last year and this provided funding to hire a cheese consultant to help develop the recipes and techniques. They used world renowned cheese Consultant Peter Dixon from Vermont.

To make sheep milk cheese happen, the Bylers needed access to sheep milk.  So they partnered with their neighbor, Aaron Schwartz who purchased a herd last fall.  The sheep are now producing milk, so the cheese is beginning to be made. Aaron is one of the leading farmers in Clarion River Organics.

Haloumi is a cheese that is traditionally made with half sheep, and half goat milk.  Its originally from Cyprus, but is very popular throughout Europe.  There is apparently not enough sheep and goat milk in Cyprus to meet the full demand, so they have begun making it with cows milk.  That has caused a whole controversy and debate in Europe about the standards for making Haloumi.  Thankfully, the Bylers are making it the traditional way, with sheep and goat milk. So no controversy here.

Haloumi is a very unique cheese as it does not melt, kind of like Indian Paneer cheese.  It's usually prepared by either grilling or cooking in a skillet after brushing it with olive oil.  It is then served with salad greens or vegetables.  I found some recipes on the web.  Check them out:

http://www.veggienumnum.com/2010/01/pan-fried-halloumi-salad/

http://www.squidoo.com/101-halloumi-recipes

This is really exciting news as this new cheese is the result of such a collaborative process.  We are honored that PA Made Cheese was able to help support the development of this cheese and will help in the sale and promotion of it.  I am heading up to visit with the Bylers this weekend to discuss the production of other sheep milk cheese that will require lengthy aging.

California Connection-

The dried fruit that I obtained from Bella Viva Orchards has been a real hit.  They grow some amazing fruit and have developed great expertise in processing and drying fruit.  I now have dried Rainier cherries and dried Pluots.  Pluots are a cross between plums and apricots.  The dried version is very soft, and sweet but tart.

In the olive oil department, I just received a fresh shipment of 2013 vintage oils.  Please stop by and try them.

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

BANDY Woodworks will have children's toys and games, and great items for the home and office using local reclaimed and salvaged wood and non-toxic finishes.  Cutting boards and wine racks make a great Valentine's gift for the foodie on your list!  Their booth is on the right when you walk in the front door from N. Sheridan, directly across from Greenawalt's.  Preview some of the items carried at the market by visiting  www.bandywoodworks.etsy.com.

*****************************************************
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/

Also,  check out the video about the market produced by Ths folks at East Liberty Development (ELDI).  It was directed and produced by local film maker Michael Pisano. So a great big thanks Michael and ELDI's Margaret Graham  for producing the video. So please check out the video and share it with others.

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

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.