Newsletter #8, Friday May 15, 2020

COVID related Market News:

Beginning now, "essential supply" vendors will be allowed to distribute at the DFM by appointment. Please contact the vendors in the index below to set up purchases. SNAP/PEBT cards are welcome! If you have any questions please email the market manager, Dana Queen at farmersmarket@dextermi.gov.

*Please let your "off-line" friends and neighbors know about this option, it is difficult to communicate these changes to those that do not use email or Facebook without using paper and increasing transmission risk.*

May 15, 2020

Sat 8am-1pm / Tues 2pm-6pm
3233 Alpine St, Dexter, MI 48130
(Vol. 1 Issue 8)

The Market is Opening Sat, June 6 at 8am

Farmers markets are an essential part of the food industry and as such, we have begun distributing food for the month of May in a pre-order, pick up format. At this time, a customer may choose any vendor of food, produce, food plant or personal hygiene from the index below, place an order, and choose to pick up from the market. You are also encouraged to place orders with our lovely craft vendors for shipping or contactless delivery.

At our opening in June, things will feel quite different from the environment we have been cultivating over the years! Many of the measures we will be taking are familiar from the expectations at your regular indoor grocery store;

Please only send one person from your household to shop,
wear a mask,
wash your hands at our provided hand washing station (we also have hand sanitizer in the dispensers in the center of the market).
Sadly, one of the most important messages we will be sending is: please do not linger.

We will be allowing 20 customers into the market at a time, so please come with a patient mind, in case there will be a wait. The traffic flow will be one-way, so there will be plenty of signs to let you know what to do. You will see very little product out on the tables, which will be missing any fabric decorations, but rest assured that we will have lots to sell you. Remember that the vendor is an expert in their field. Now is a great time to ask them to pick for you!

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SNAP, PEBT, Double Up Food Bucks

Many residents have needed to sign up for food assistance benefits during the pandemic and we are happy to welcome you to the Dexter Farmers Market! Don't be shy to have us walk you through anything you need to know to get healthy food on your table, utilizing your Bridge or PEBT card. (Please note: if your child(ren) qualify for free lunch at school, you should receive a PEBT card automatically.)

The DFM has secured a Double Up Food Bucks grant, which matches customers charges on their cards. For example, if you have been provided a PEBT card recently, you can come to the market and charge $30 with the market manager and receive wooden tokens that can be spent on approved items with any vendor. In addition to those tokens, Double Up Food Bucks will match you $30 (in this example.) DUFB will match whatever amount you charge your SNAP/PEBT card (unlimited!) in $2 increment aluminum tokens. These are free of charge, but can only be spent on fresh fruits and veggies. This means your SNAP tokens can be saved for honey, bread, meat, eggs or veggie plants!

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Bike Medic

The Bike Medic will be servicing your bikes for free like every year, but this season they will be at a different location: Scio Community Church, 1293 N Zeeb Road. Bill and company will be following safe contact; you must set up an appointment for service. You can get in contact with them through their Facebook page here.

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Farmers and farmers market vendors are hurting! They can't bring their products to you and need a little support! If you have money or supplies to donate please do. Follow this link to find a list of support organizations for all levels of the local food supply. Follow this link to an comprehensive index of Washtenaw county area vendors with online purchasing capability, not just DFM participants.

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Have you ever envisioned yourself as an entrepreneur, charming people at the market? Is your vegetable bed enough to feed an army? We have an open application deadline and welcome new vendors anytime of the year. Please visit our website and fill in an application! Tell a friend!

Jeff Peters - Jeff is a market staple in his 11th year at the DFM. He brings breathtaking cut flowers like Cosmos, Sunflowers, Zinnias, Cockscomb, and a rainbow of lilies. He will also have leeks, storage onions, kohlrabi and tomatillos. *see below for vendor profile*

Two Dogs Farms - perennials, annuals, veggie starts, berries, fruit, veggies, maple syrup and jellies and jams from Ray Sowers. And coming soon: Scottish Highlander grass fed Beef!!

Paper Cup Coffee Co - Isaac brings the freshest, fire-roasted coffee by the cup, whole bean and ground; plus hand-dipped chocolate cake donuts and date balls. Follow his Facebook here.

Hoppy Soaps - Stephanie fills the market with the fresh smells of bar soaps, bath bombs, shower fizzies, deodorant, lip balm, body butter, and herbal sachets. Some of these products are even made from her home-brewed beer! Follow her on Facebook here.

Shagbark Knoll - Henry has gorgeous asparagus, beans, beets, tomatoes, apples, plums, basil plants, and Zephyr squash.

NOKA Homestead - Noelle has a breath taking array of produce. From radishes to greens to potatoes, all grown with respect and care for the earth and its creatures! They have a variety of CSA boxes this year, please visit their site to sign up for their wait-list. Follow their Facebook here. Sign up for their newsletter here to hear how they can bring you fresh produce this year regardless of market open date.

Owl Hollow Bakery - Anne will have delicious pies, breads, baked goods, granola, Amaizin' popcorn, free range eggs, maple syrup, and pure Greek olive oil.

Shoreline Wild Salmon - wild, Alaskan, hook-and-line caught salmon. King and Coho Salmon sold frozen in vacuum sealed packages. Smoked Coho Salmon sold in shelf stable jars. Marie and her dad, Mark handle the fish with the utmost care, all the way from the fishing vessels in Southeast Alaska to the farmers market in Dexter! Look for them in May, August, September and October.

MaryAnn Simpkins - one of our founding members brings produce, baked goods, sewn and crocheted housewares, nuts, soaps, eggs, honey, too much to name! Please keep an eye here for her earliest harvests, there will be lettuce soon!

My Serenity, Creations by Rachel - lovely bath, body and home goods, soy candles, natural deodorants and bath bars.

Manchester Blooms Flower Farm - Amy grows beautiful bouquets, arrangements, and buckets of freshly cut, locally grown annuals. Some of the bright beauties offered include: Cosmos, Zinnias, Sunflowers, Allium, Poppies, Daisies and many other wildflowers. This year, Amy will also be offering a wide selection of herbs,edible flowers and beneficial plants. Online ordering begins in July.

Herb 'N Beans - Steve has artisan crafted coffee, tea, locally grown hemp flower and oil, and freeze-dried fruits and veggies.

Judy Welsh - charming hand cut cards, framed beach glass, driftwood art and notebooks.

Sweet and Salty Cookie Co - Jeff is back with the best cookies! Chocolate chip, double dip chocolate chip, M&M, peanut butter, snicker doodle chip, butterscotch, Special Dark, Reese's, sea salt caramel, dark chocolate pecan, maple oatmeal raisin, pecan raisin, milk chocolate raisin, molasses, caramel apple crisp, gluten-friendly chocolate chip and gluten-friendly dark chocolate pecan.

GVR Farms - Gage is returning to the Tuesday market with lettuce, carrots, radishes, asparagus, micro-greens, potatoes, and pumpkins.

Paper Bead Elegance - Karen makes the most fascinating jewelry - from paper! Barrets and earrings; durable and gorgeous artisan statement pieces.

BB's Beauty Organics - Brittney puts a new twist on bath products. She makes body sprays and rooms sprays, plus shaving cream, sugar scrubs and foot scrubs.

Specialty Tea Products (STEAP) - Amanda has a variety of loose leaf teas and blends. Visit her website to sign up for a subscription!

Skalski Farm in Hamburg - John and Rochelle will be back this year! Their vegetable, fruit, and start plants are grown using organic methods. They will have larger, more mature vegetable, herb and flower starts sold in individual pots. Teaser: they will have strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and sweet corn!!

Ski's Sausage Co - this is Dan's first year, but he's a local from Pinckney! He offers a large variety of sausages; traditional Polish kielbasa and cheddar, jalapeno cheddar and traditional bratwurst.

Ruhlig's Produce - Janelle and Matthew come from the long time Dexter farming family, Ruhlig. After a few years off, they will be returning in July, to bring corn, beans, greens, squash, tomatoes, peppers and more!

New Vendors Added Every Week!

Vendor Profile: Jeff Peters

Jeff is a man of few words, but a rainbow of blooms! He was born and raised in Dexter, graduating from Dexter High School in 1983. He attended Michigan State University, where he developed his skills and interest in horticulture and landscape architecture. His customers call him the "Plant Whisperer!"
Jeff , with his niece Katherine, is a market staple in his 11th year at the DFM. From his 3 acre growing parcel, he brings breathtaking cut flowers like Cosmos, Sunflowers, Zinnias, Cockscomb, and a rainbow of lilies. They are for sale in prearranged bouquets, make-yourself bouquets, or have him assemble a dazzling grouping for you. He has quite the eye!
Jeff also grows a limited selection of mouth watering produce every year. This season he is growing leeks, storage onions, kohlrabi and tomatillos, that will be available when they ripen.
One of the best parts of the having Jeff at the market is at the end of the market day. If he has left over flowers (which he often does not!), he will gather up a bouquet, sneak up to a hard working vendor, and present them with a big grin on his face. He has such a kind heart!

Simple Sauteed Swiss Chard:

Here are some simple directions on how to whip up that gorgeous Swiss Chard!

prep: 10 mins cook: 10 mins total: 20 mins
yields 2 servings
Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch Swiss chard, chopped
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Step 1 Heat the olive oil on a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the garlic and cook until tender and aromatic, about 2 minutes. Add the Swiss chard and balsamic vinegar; cook and stir until the chard is wilted and tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve.