Feb 20th, 2021

Some of you have managed to get away this school break. Others are staying close to home as we round out nearly one full year of pandemic life.
Wouldn't a delicious pizza made with fresh market ingredients (including a sunny, runny egg on top) make you feel better about staying local?
We thought so.

That's why this week, we bring you Pizza Vitale, a new wood-burning pizza truck specializing in pizza napoletano. Lili and Francesco Vitale are the owner/operators of this gleaming silver truck. Pizzaiolo Francesco scans the market for ingredients that inspire and then disappears into the truck to work his magic all day. Lili, his wife, is all smiles and takes orders from the sliding window. They are as friendly as their pies are authentic. They come to us on loan from the Bronxville Farmer's Market where they set up residence in the summer. Worry not if you've become addicted to crepes over the last few weeks. Leila's Crepe Station will, of course, be there. And honestly, in pandemic times, no one will judge if you have a pizza for breakfast and a crepe for lunch.

Growing Heart Farm returns this weekend, weather permitting. Shoppers who've come to lean on their leafy, dappled mustard greens were heartbroken that they had to miss the last market due to frigid temps. In their honor, here's a recipe for chickpeas, greens and chorizo from David Tanis.

You'll note that the recipe calls for different market greens but IMHO recipes are merely a starting point and just waiting to be "adapted" to what's in your fridge or what shines at your local market. You might consider lamb chorizo from Wil-Hi Farms as this farm is making a rare winter market appearance this week.

Luxx Chocolat is bringing her Campfire Artisan S’mores Kits to turn your backyard bonfire into something a little more fancy. And Mama Lam's will be here with her Malaysian curries and sauces for easy midweek dinners.

What do farmers do during the slower winter months?

In the case of Orchard Hill Organics, they hit the books. Specifically, anything written by William Albrecht, a former Professor of Soils and at the University of Missouri College of Agriculture. His thoughts on soil, plant, and human health were revolutionary and way ahead of his time and of the climate change crisis we face. According to Orchard Hill's recent Instagram post, re-reading Albrecht is an essential winter activity. Per the post: "The fundamental tenets of Albrecht's work are that a healthy, balanced soil leads to more nutrient-dense and sustainable food for both people and the ecosystems we live in. In other words, remember to never treat your soil like dirt!"

And speaking of giving our soil the love it deserves, this week we are welcoming the Hastings Pollinators Pathway Club. They are launching their first "Great Hastings Seed Swap." And, we hope it will be the first of many at the market. Don't worry if you don't have seeds to swap this time. Everyone is welcome to pick up a few packets of seeds to grow. They've “seeded” their collection with donations from local nurseries specializing in native plants. Their hope is that every year's seed crop will expand as more people save their seeds to share.

If you have any questions before Saturday, you can direct them to: hastingspollinatorpathway@gmail.com or simply talk to them at the market, at a distance, natch.

See you at the market!