Newsletter #32, October 31, 2020

October 31, 2020

Sat 8am-1pm / Tues 2pm-6pm suspended
3233 Alpine St, Dexter, MI 48130
(Vol. 1 Issue 32)

Dear DFM attendees,

   Tomorrow marks the end of the (boo, hiss) 2020 Summer Farmers Market and the end of my second season as a farmers market manager. I would like to thank all of the community members that attended the market as customers, volunteers, vendors and well wishers. You no doubt have heard me lament; this season has been all business, no fun, but we were successful (in fact, we grew!) and I have had an incomparable learning experience.
   We should all feel a great sense of pride in this market. It has continued to thrive and support our community with fresh produce, meat, eggs, prepared foods, essential personal supplies and the essential supplies that make life worth living despite unprecedented challenges. The City of Dexter administration has provided unwavering support and guidance to me through this and to them, I am grateful! Each of the vendors and I are continually amazed and humbled by your support and the enthusiasm shown by city management and leaders.
   In the next few weeks I will be preparing and presenting our end of season report to the City Council. You will be able to see the slides from my presentation in the links on the City of Dexter webpage, under the Farmers Market heading. After the holidays I will begin planning the 2021 summer season; the Tuesday market will be returning and I hope to book musical performers and educational opportunities (I hope, I hope!)

   Again thank you all so much. I hope you eat the most delicious food and have a healthy and happy winter!!
                                      Dana Queen,
                                      City of Dexter
                                      Farmers Market Manager

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Customer Survey: Please fill in a customer survey at this link. Your feedback helps the city and vendors to better connect you to local food and entrepreneurs.

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The Dexter Summer Market Ends October 31st.
Winter Marketplace starts November 7!

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Farmers markets are an essential part of the food industry and as such, we follow protocols similar to grocery stores:

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 throughout the market).
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.
We also ask that you shop quickly to make space for the next customer.
The market is fenced and 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.
Please only touch what you will buy. Vendors are more than happy to help you choose.

Happy Introvert Studio - framed signs, plank signs, seasonal decor, upcycled book art, shelf decor, tiered tray decor and more! *see vendor profile below!*

Big Sister Little Sister - handmade crochet hats, scarves, toys, and blankets from our market manager, Dana and her sister Beth. She specializes in custom orders and sports color gear! Follow their Facebook here.

PetzGlitz - Artful Jewelry for Pets. Diana makes cute dog themed greeting cards and pet jewelry. Show your doggo who the bestest boi really is!

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

BB's Beauty Essentials - Brittney wants to make the world a better place through her craft. She makes body and foot sugar scrubs with a mission of using plant-based, natural ingredients and equity and inclusion for all market customers!

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!!

My Serenity, Creations by Rachel - lovely bath, body and home goods, soy candles, natural deodorants and bath bars. Follow Rachel on Facebook too!

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.

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! Follow their Facebook here. Sign up for their newsletter here to hear how they can bring you fresh produce this year!

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

Jacob's Fresh Farm Shares - chicken eggs, as well as a wide variety of veggies and fruit grown with natural methods from heritage and non-GMO seed. They have several different types of CSAs depending on your family's needs, including boxes that have bakery and coffee items included. Visit his site and get signed up today!

Hives on the Hill Apiary - Jacob also runs a great honey business. Find honey in all sizes of jars, plus he will remove your swarms!

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!

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.

Julie's Cookie Art - Julie has hand decorated fall-themed sugar cookies.

Carolyn Ayers - chicken eggs and knit and sewn house goods from right here in Dexter!

Flightless Bakery & Patisserie - croissants, kouign amann ("the most decadent pastry in Europe" made in northern France), changing seasonal homemade cereals, garlic croutons. Something different at each market!

The Frosty Apple - John and Julie will be with us on Halloween with Idared and Golden Delicious apples. Check out their website for a comprehensive list of apples and their best uses.

New Vendors Added Every Week!

Vendor Profile: Happy Introvert Studio

Kim Malone, a first time vendor, is the owner of Happy Introvert Studio. She is based out of Dearborn where she lives with her husband, son and dog. Happy Introvert Studio specializes in warm and attractive interior decor, during the holidays and year round. She makes framed signs, plank signs, seasonal decor, upcycled book art, shelf decor, tiered tray decor, with new creations every week!

Kim says that cancer made her a "maker." While enduring chemo, she was visited during every treatment by a what she thought was a craft organizer. She kept wondering why no one else was crafting during chemo, but she soon learned that she had been diagnosed with anxiety and the "craft organizer" was actually an art therapist. Art therapy had been prescribed to help to take her mind off what she was dealing with and it worked! It also awoke a passion she didn’t know she had.

"I’ve learned so much about what’s important in the last couple of years. The most important advice I can give is to have faith and practice gratitude."

Kim takes custom orders on her Etsy site or via email:
Happyintrovertinfo@gmail.com

At the market for payment she takes PayPal, credit and of course cash!

Applesauce

Did you know making applesauce is so insanely easy?!? With the apple season at its peak and the Frosty Apple Orchard at the market this week, why not try your hand?

Yields 4 servings

Ingredients

4 apples - peeled, cored and chopped
¾ cup water
¼ cup white sugar

Directions

In a saucepan, combine apples, water, sugar, and cinnamon. Cover, and cook over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until apples are soft. Allow to cool, then mash with a fork or potato masher.
Top with cinnamon, nutmeg, nuts, dried fruit or use to top delicious pasture-raised pork!