Market News - May 11, 2010
From the Market Manager
We had a great start to our season last week until the wind and rain hit. We were marveling at the weather since we are usually shivering on the first day. I think Mother Nature saved the shivering for today. The park staff is absolutely marvelous, and many of you told me how happy you are with our new location. For those of you who might have tried to get into the park for the market around 5:30+, we are indeed open until 6, and if you get here a little after you’ll be able to purchase something as most of our vendors aren’t completely packed up by then. The person who was at the Sumner Avenue entrance evidently didn’t know that we were open that late. They do now.One of our new vendors this year, Sasha’s Catering, has prepared food for you to either eat at the market, or bring home. They have containers in several sizes to suit your needs. I tried all three chilis that he had last week and they were all delicious.
Community Gardeners Needed
There are spaces available on Beaumont Street in the community garden sponsored by Concerned Citzens for Springfield. The cost is $15 for the year and you must commit to keeping the garden neat, and doing your part to keeping the area clean also. Contact Sheila McElwaine at 788-8898, the garden coordinator, and she will give you more details.
Springfield Preservation Trust Spring House Tour Coming up
The Trust will sponsor a “Homes of Forest Park” tour on Sunday, May 16th from 1-4PM. The tour will feature six homes in the area south of Sumner Avenue between Dickinson Street and Forest Park.
Tickets are $15 in advance at Flowers Flowers, 758 Sumner Avenue and at The Flower Box, 596 Carew St. tickets can be purchased the day of the tour from 12:45 PM until 3PM on Dickinson St. at Olmsted Drive; cost of ticket is $20 with Trust members getting a $3 discount.
Springfield Household Hazardous Waste Collection Depot, Sat. 5/15 & 6/19
Bring your unwanted household hazardous wastes to Grochmal Avenue in Indian Orchard on the above days. Limit 10 gallons per household. Call 787-7840 for more information and an appointment. For Springfield residents only.
Forest Park Branch Library
There are all sorts of programs at our branch library. Movies, a knitting/crocheting group, a book signing coming up, art projects and more. Check it out. It’s open Tuesday 10AM to 5PM, Thursday 1PM to 8PM, Saturday 11AM to 3PM. Phone # is 263-6843. Our head librarian, Reggie Wilson, does a fabulous job here and at the East Forest Park branch.
Use Your Credit/Debit/EBT Cards at the Market
If you don’t have time to get to the bank, or if you want to buy more than you have money for, come to the market table and purchase wooden tokens that you use just like cash. You can also use a check to buy tokens. This year we are charging a $1 service fee for each transaction other than EBT or checks to help us defray the costs of using the wireless machine that we have. Last year we paid several hundred dollars in fees, so we’d like not to have to do that again.
Native AsparagusMany of you know that Hadley asparagus has a worldwide reputation as being the finest there is. Years ago there used to be many more acres of it growing in the Pioneer Valley. Even though there is less growing than before, we still have some, and it is superb. The season isn’t long, so try it different ways.
Food Policy Council Forming
Many communities have food policy councils which bring community members together to work on issues of providing access to healthy, affordable and culturally appropriate food to their citizens. One is forming in Springfield. A steering committee will be composed of representatives from diverse sectors of the community including the relevant municipal departments, non-profit organizations that are devoted to food access and public health, faith-based organizations, neighborhood councils, farmers, grocers, food producers, youth, elders, and generally concerned residents. Please contact Zaida Govan at zgovan.mlkcc@verizon.net if you are interested or if you’d like further details.
Farm Open House
On 3 Sundays in May, the 16, 23rd, and 30th, Rich Valley Farm in Stafford Springs is inviting you to come to their farm and visit the goats (many babies this time of year). Their address is 10 Hampden Road. Susan Parks will also have her soaps, lotions, and lip balms for sale.
Impoco Poultry Reopens
468 Walnut St. in Springfield. Open Tuesday through Friday 9-6 and weekends 9-3. Closed Monday. 734-6359. Fresh poultry. Used to be in Feeding Hills.
