Newsletter #10, Friday May 29, 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 29, 2020

Sat 8am-1pm / Tues 2pm-6pm
3233 Alpine St, Dexter, MI 48130
(Vol. 1 Issue 10)

Yes the rumors are true! The Dexter Garden Club will be having their annual plant sale at the market this year! They will be selling lovingly raised perennials and house plants on our first market day of the year starting on June 6th at 8am.

If you are looking to pre-shop, here is a list of plants coming from the Garden Club (most will be sold at $6 or under): *indicates pollinator favorites

Ajuga - Chocolate chip
Bleeding hearts
Celadine wood poppies
Christmas cactus
Citronella Geranium
Coral bell - Red flower
Coreopsis - Crazy cayenne - "Sizzle & Spice series"
*Corn Flower - Pink
Corydalis - Rue
Curly willow
*Dahlias - Amerera 18-20", Arabian Night 18-20", Purple & white 18-20"
*Daylilies - Diddley Daddy (Dusty rose, gold throat); Heavenly Dragon fire (Red orange, green throat); Moroccan Sapphire - (Purple & yellow); Prime time (Red); Rich Uncle (Red), Webster girls (Dark purple, light purple, yellow throat)
Geraniums - Fireworks (red) - 12-14", Hot pink - 12-14", Lavender - 12-14", Red - 12-14", Salmon - 12-14", Wild
Ginger - Canadian wild
Grass - Karl Forester
Hostas - Fortunei, Halycon, Hayden Sunset, Honey Bell, Mouse Ears, Praying hands, Simboldi Elegans
Jade plant - dwarf
Lamium Galeobdolon - "Yellow Archangel"
Lysimachia Punctata - "Outback sunset" (Red w/ yellow flower)
Northern sea oats
Peony - White
Prickly pear cactus - Eastern
Redbud saplings
*Sedum - Angelina, Autumn Joy, Blue spruce, Ella coombs, Nu Voo, Variegated
Spider plant - Green, Variegated - Hanging basket
Turtleheads - Pink

***

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 running North to South. Please enter at the gate closest to the library and exit toward Main st. Don't worry, 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! Please only touch what you will buy.

***

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, veggie plants, or more produce!

***

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.

***

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!

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. *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!

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.

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) - Samantha 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!!

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: Ski's Sausage Company

Dan Evanski Jr. is a new vendor to the DFM, but his family is deep rooted in the community. He graduated from Dexter High school in 2002 and works in the industrial gas industry in Detroit, calling Pinckney home. He enjoys Michigan craft beers and spending as much time as he can in the beautiful U.P; camping, fishing, visiting breweries, snowmobiling and 4-wheeling. He is a 4th generation sausage maker, having learned from his Grandma Babcia and late father who was a member of the Dexter American Legion and integral part of the city's yearly Memorial Day parade. Dan Sr.'s Kielbasa was so coveted, he used to barter with the neighbors to do snowplowing and other chores.
Dan Jr and his family would make Kielbasa several times a year, and following his father's death in 2010, he decided to take over the sausage making. His friends and family began requesting other sausages such as bratwurst, chicken, and Italian sausage. Over the last decade, he has spent many hours testing recipes and making co-workers his guinea pigs. It all must have paid off because he is a Kielbasa cook off Champion 2019 and 2nd place for 2020!

Pearls of wisdom from a sausage guru: "NEVER EVER BOIL SAUSAGE! Use your favorite liquid and accoutrements (beer, water, wine, peppers, onions, garlic) and simmer (little bubbles) your sausages in it to bring them to 165F. After that finish on your favorite grill, pan, or flat top to just brown them for a couple minutes. Never stab and pierce your sausage - you are releasing all the fat and your sausage will dry out."

To order Ski's Sausage, join his Facebook group Ski's Sausage Company. There you can message him for orders of any size or make requests, as well as see new releases and Dan's latest accomplishments. You can contact him for pick up or delivery. Ski's Sausage qualifies for SNAP/PEBT payments for pick ups from the market.

Kielbasa and Cabbage:
 
  This is a great dish made in the pressure cooker or slow cooker to keep the house cool in the summer, but still have a delicious, nutritious meal at the end of the day!

Yields 6 servings

Ingredients  24 ounces Polish beef kielbasa, sliced 
 1 onion, chopped 
 ¼ cup butter 
 2 cups beef stock 
 ½ teaspoon dried thyme 
 ½ teaspoon hot sauce, or to taste 
 1 head cabbage, cored and chopped into 1 1/2-inch pieces 
 salt and ground black pepper to taste 


Instructions  For Pressure Cooker: Turn on a
multi-functional electric pressure cooker and select Saute function. Cook and stir sausage and onion until well browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Add butter to the pot and let it melt. Mix in beef stock, thyme, and hot sauce. Add cabbage and stir until well coated. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 5 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build. Release pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove lid. Season sausage and cabbage with salt and pepper. Serve using a slotted spoon.
For Slow Cooker: Assemble all ingredients and set to low. Cook for 3 hours until desired tenderness.