April 17th, 2021

We're in that "in-between" stage of the market season. It's too early for asparagus and strawberries. And, I know many of you are itching to trade in our Daikon winter radish for a bunch of rosy red French breakfast radishes.
Patience.

In just a few short weeks the produce bins will be brimming with all things spring. For now, Growing Heart Farms is introducing a new "crunchy" salad mix and bunches of organic kale florets and, they hope, lovely spring onions as a "teaser" of greens to come.

Also, this is probably a good time to mention that for the first time in our market's history, we are launching our summer weekly season early this year. We will be running weekly starting May 22nd instead of the first Saturday in June as has been tradition.

One thing that is a constant, year-round, is how central the market is to our community. Take this Saturday, for example, when, yet again, the community will be coming together at the market for a wide range of events.

The Hastings Pollinator Pathway Project is hosting their second Great Hastings Seed Swap at the market from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For you newbies, the way the swap works is that you share extra seeds from your stash (natives/flowers/veg/herbs) and the lovely folks at the HPPP organize, label, and make seeds available for pickup at the swap event. Don't sweat it if you missed the April 3 deadline to contribute. Everyone who comes to the market is welcome to pick up a few packets of seeds to grow, whether or not they've donated. Thanks to generous donations from local native nurseries, there are enough seed packets for everyone, says organizer Katie Tolson. "All our gardens will benefit from the increased diversity." Look for a special garden tool demo by HPPP member Howard Lorber, alongside the seed swap, at 10:30a.m.

Also on tap at the market this Saturday:

The Village of Hastings is hosting an electric vehicle extravaganza in the smaller commuter lot from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. They expect to have 8 different electric cars on display so check them out before or after you shop. (They will be set up right next to the knife sharpener, so you might take a gander at the cool cars while you wait for sharpener Matt to work his magic on your knives or pruning shears). It's all part of a national campaign to share information about electric vehicles (EVs) throughout the Earth-loving month of April. In addition to being better for the environment, EVs are more fun to drive, more convenient to fuel and less expensive to operate than gasoline vehicles, says Trustee Mary Lambert, driving the event.

Also this week, look for parents who will be raising money for the Hastings Swim Team which has fallen on hard financial times.

This is the third Saturday of the month, "gleaning day," which is when we ask our community of shoppers to donate what they can to our local food pantry drive. You can donate below or on our website anytime.

Finally, so many Hastings parents are market shoppers and love to cook. It's what inspired the PTSA to put together a Community Cookbook as a fundraiser for the schools, a first. The cookbook includes a ridiculous amount of recipes from parents, local chefs and restaurateurs and even market folk! I happen to know it includes a pretty reliable shakshuka recipe. You can pick up your cookbook here.

And speaking of shakshuka, in honor of Ramadan, here's a recipe for Tunisian shrimp shakshuka which I am eager to try.

And... pick up some lamb and spinach at the market to make this spring pasta dish.

See you at the market!