Thank a Farmer Week

Thank a Farmer Week

You’d never know it from the abundance of best-quality produce at the Brighton Farmers’ Market, but this has been a tough year on local farms. The cold wet spring delayed planting for several weeks, and the continuing cool, damp weather has water-logged fields and ruined crops. As always, our farmers have labored at back-breaking work for crazy long hours for very little financial reward but lots of worry and risk. We’re declaring this Thank a Farmer Week at Brighton Farmers’ Market — our lives are richer and the world’s a better place because of their efforts.

This Week at the Market — August 24

Lakestone Family Farm is bringing these beautiful multicolored carrots and baby beets, plus rainbow chard, tricolor string beans, edamame, basil, loads of pickling cucumbers, seedless cucumbers, slicing cucumbers, eggplant, napa cabbage, tomatoes, fava beans, summer squash, eggs, and fresh cut chicken parts and whole chickens, all certified organic. Organic Matters will have cherry style and slicing heirloom tomatoes, sweet corn, canning tomatoes, tomatillos, watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumbers, radishes, summer squash, zucchini, beans, basil, parsley, kale and garlic bulbs.

Growing Family Farms will be bringing regular and grape tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, Swiss chard, kale, cucumbers, and Singer Farms tart cherry juice as well as grape juice concentrate and organic apple juice concentrate. K&S Bischoping will have Starfire peaches, blueberries, blackberries, and apples — Pristine and William’s Pride, plus heirlooms Duchess of Oldenberg and Gravenstein. Buzz’s Garden will have edamame, leeks, red and white potatoes, lettuce bouquets, okra, cherry tomatoes, carrots, fresh thyme, and tricolored beans.

Honeyhill Farm will have certified organic heirloom slicing and cherry tomatoes, sweet carrots, bunches of red and golden beets, mixed baskets of lettuce, cured garlic, garlic scapes, super sweet fresh onions, and fresh, pasture raised chicken. Clearview Farm is bringing certified organic cherry tomato medley,  beefsteak and heirloom tomatoes,  green and eschallion scallions,  pickling cukes, dill, herbs, garlic,  zucchini, Sunburst patty pan squash, Asian eggplant,  poblano peppers, and organically-fed, free-range eggs.

Fisher Hill Farm is bringing sweet corn, zucchini, summer squash, cucumbers, beans, lettuce, radishes, broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cantaloupes, potatoes, sweet onions, carrots, garlic, beets, leeks, eggs, chicken, and red jacket juices. R&M Bischoping will have sunflowers, flower bouquets, cherry tomatoes, hot peppers, green beans, cucumbers, baby zucchini, red Russian and dinosaur kale, and tomatillos (also available in canning quantities).

Jake of Lagoner Farms says that this is the peak week for peaches; he’ll have lots of Red Haven peaches, great for canning, baking, and freezing. Shady Lane Farm is bringing Asian cucumbers, sweet onions, green peppers, rainbow chard and beet greens, zucchini, string beans, full-size tomatoes and cherry mixes, red and gold potatoes, Italian parsley and Cuban mint, and fresh-cut summer bouquets.

Bolton Farms will have lettuces including spring mix, bibb, and bouquets as well as hydroponic arugula, watercress, tatsoi, kale, parsley and basil; John will also bring soil-grown sweet corn, tomatoes, micro greens, squash, peppers, and eggplant. Chicory Blue Gardens is bringing lilies, sunflowers, and glads. Shannon Brook Farm is featuring certified organic, pasture-raised fresh (not smoked) ham steaks. Squash Blossom Farm will have kale, cabbage, dandelion chicory, onions, baby cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, slicing tomatoes, potatoes, artichokes, basil, squash, and squash blossoms.

Andy’s Specialty Garlic & Produce will have certified organic radishes, kale, green beans, carrots, red and golden beets, zucchini, plum tomatoes, garlic, slicing and pickling cucumbers, green and purple cabbage, and arugula. Ann’s Purple Produce returns with blackberries, eggplant, escarole, golden and regular beets, French Breakfast radishes, rainbow chard, garlic, large and small bouquets with dahlias, cut basil, cilantro, parsley, rosemary and other herbs, maroon amaranth for drying, shade perennials, potted rosemary and sunflower heads for the birds.

Lighthouse Gardens is bringing certified organic rainbow cherry tomatoes; German white and Italian purple garlic; garlic scapes; baby head lettuce bouquets; yellow, purple and green beans; zucchini; striped summer squash; sunflowers; zinnia bouquets; lots of hardy chrysanthemums; plus herb, vegetable, berry and ornamental transplants; summer blooming perennials; and organic potting soil. Dearhaven Farm will have sweet Walla Walla onions, garlic, scallions, eggplant, Sungold cherry tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, sweet peppers, potatoes, cabbage, kohlrabi, beets, carrots, fresh herbs, arugula, and fresh lemongrass.

Allens Hill Farm is bringing fresh and frozen meat rabbits, heritage game hens, aquaponically grown pesto basil, seven flavors of apple cider molasses, Dukkah, and all natural baking mixes. Congratulations to Seaway Trail Honey for a blue ribbon sweep of all entries at this week’s NYS Fair; Pat will offer the winning local, raw, fresh honey at the Market this week. Lavender Moon will offer a free hydrangea blossom with purchase along with a potpourri of herbal products, including all natural Bug OFF mosquito spray.

Happy Hooves Organic Farm will have grass-fed beef cuts, pasture-raised pork cuts, some frozen smallish whole chickens, heritage chickens and ducks, all organic and soy free; Della will be taking orders for roasting pigs and 1/2 hogs as well. Nordic Farm is featuring Strawberry Rhubarb as jam of the week, also in jam bars. Newbury Park Pastries will have chicken, panang, veggie and quiche along with an assortment of tarts. Small World Food is bringing country multigrain, macaroons, pickled garlic scapes, and granola.

Flour City Pasta will have saffron Infused gnocchetti (small shells), great for mac and cheese, mac salad or in Jon’s peasant recipe from the island of Sardinia. Eat Me Ice Cream is offering peach ice cream on waffle cookies, the Hug Up (chocolate and vanilla), a variety of pints, and blueberry or watermelon ice candy. JonJohn’s Bakery is bringing grandma’s breakfast cake with peaches, blueberries, and raspberries; roast pork with garlic and spicy red pepper jam from Nordic Farm; sweet potato tarts; and decadent chocolate brownies with toasted pecans.

Also at the Market

Babak Elahi and Friends will join us in the music tent. ColorBrightonGreen.org will collect recycling items; check here for items they are currently able to accept and recycle. The group is also looking for more volunteers to help with these collections; please consider helping this good cause. Please consider donating to the Brighton Food Cupboard, to support their efforts on behalf of the needy in our community.

The Brighton Farmers’ Market is held every Sunday through October 26 from 9 am to 1 pm.  It is held in the Brighton High School parking lot, 1150 Winton Road S., and is sponsored by the Town of Brighton. More information about the market can be found at www.brightonfarmersmarket.org or on the Market’s Facebook page.

See you Sunday!