August 1, 2020

Dear Shoppers,

The good news is that my family and I are away for a much-needed break in the Adirondacks breathing in all the fresh air we can muster.

The bad news is that I will not be at the market on Saturday to welcome another new vendor we at the Hastings Farmers Market are very excited about: Mom & Ice Pops.

Based in Brooklyn, this small operation, run by mother and son, Ingrid and Eli, makes ice pops in small batches using ingredients (from basil to berries) that are locally-sourced. The pops are as beautiful as they are delicious. You can read more about them here. So glad they can join us just as we are allowing kids back to the market and temperatures are rising. And that their first day is on a day that the Dough Nation Pizza truck is here.

Freefall Sangria is also here as a guest vendor Saturday offering an alternate way to keep cool. This Sangria is made entirely from New York grapes from the Finger Lake region and is bottled at Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville, NY. Their red Sangria is made with mixed berries and the white is made with (non-local) mango, pineapple & orange. Both get an extra booze boost of Brandy. The sangria has a dry finish and is not too sweet. And, apparently, quite a kick.

"How do you know your honey is pure if you don't know the beekeeper? That's the question posed on all jars of Hudson River Apiaries, who are here
this week with their wide range of honey varieties from buckwheat to blueberry. Beekeeper Dina can tell you everything you need to know about which honey is right for you!

And, speaking of honey, KAS Spirits has added an extra market day this month Folks can't get enough of her KAZAP!  hand sanitizer and her honey liqueur. We've been having fun experimenting with it (the spirit, not the sanitizer) in cocktails this summer. Next on our list? This refreshing Jade Bee Cocktail made with green tea and lemon.

All this and, of course, all the corn, eggplant, squash, and TOMATOES you
can eat.

Don't let summer pass you buy without making a simple tomato salad, mixing tomatoes small and large, orange and green, yellow and striped,  from all of the vendors. Add basil, crumbled feta or mozzarella and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic and coarse salt. The less you do to a tomato this time of year, the better!