It's here! Buy Local Week!

A song! Let's Sing!

We've been waiting for so long
Waiting to play for you some of our songs
We've been waiting for so long
We want to play for you some of our songs

Betcha by golly gee wow
Graham Central Station is the name of our group
We're making this record especially for you
So lay on back and hear us play and sing
'Cause we're really gonna do our thing

Graham Central Station
'Cause we've been waiting for so long
Waiting to play for you some of our songs
We've been waiting for so long
Waiting to play for you some of our songs
'Cause we've been waiting!
 
Just in case you were wondering, the gentleman above was one of the performers with Copper and Rose who entertained folks at the "Friday Twilight Rt.1 Gateway Farmers' Market and Bazaar" located in North Brentwood, MD . . . Another market that I have the honor to help manage and promote! 

More about Rt.1 Market:  http://artlivesheremd.wordpress.com/gadevents/route-1-farmers-market-bazaar/

And you just had to be there to see these two little munchkins dancing to the music! What a treat!  

Lots of activities, fun, food, crafts and neighbors come out on 1st and 4th Fridays and every 2nd and 3rd Saturday. 


And best of all, there's a farmer . . . Leonel Lopez, Lopez Farms who grows and harvests these delicious . . . Golden yellow zucchini . . . I've been eating this all week long . . .

Did I tell you!  

It's that time 
of the 
 year again! 

July 19 until July 27!

What a great time to visit and support local farmers and food producers in the community! I am so excited that I am trying to come up with a song just for this occasion!


Did I tell you?  Buy Local Week originated in Maryland  . . .  "The Buy Local Challenge was created by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission and has since become a statewide program. 

The Challenge encourages all Marylanders to eat at least one locally grown or raised product each day of the Buy Local Challenge Week, which is always the last full week of July."  Read more at:http://mda.maryland.gov/pages/buy-local-cookout.aspx

No one has to twist my arm to encourage me to eat locally grown produce . . . My palate has changed so drastically, that I no longer enjoy eating produce from the grocery stores. 

Just thinking about fruit from the local farms -- sinking my teeth into delicious, juicy, vine ripe tomatoes causes my eyes to roll, ummmm ummmmm! Berries in a bowl . . . Cherries, blueberries, blackberries, melons . . Blended with juicy peaches! Oh My! 

I bet folks will begin to change their eating habits when they commit to eating food grown by local farmers. I witnessed a tractor trailer  rolling down the highway with a flat bed full of onions with only a piece of black tarp partially covering the onions . . . Hummmmm?  

Moving along, I would be remiss if I did not give a "Shout-Out" to my dedicated farmers who come out every Saturday -- Joel of Joel's Produce, Charles County, MD and Jake and Ashely of Shlagel Farms in Waldorf, MD serving the greater community with their great produce at my market . . . 


"Roots & Stems"is partnering with TNI (Transforming Neighborhoods Initiative), a program formed in 2012 by the Prince George's County's Executive Office. And leading the effort is  Nicole, Community Relations Liaison.

Lastly, I now have postcard flyers that are being shared throughout the region. The design and artwork was created and designed by Ose O. of GrindRevolt! Awesome talent!

Need I say more? Except, go out and support local farmers! I will look forward to seeing folks at Roots & Stems, a Community Farmers Market . . . We are still accepting applications for food vendors, so connect with us! We'll be around until October 25.

Thank you for supporting local farmers!

Phyllicia M. Hatton
Market Master - "Producer of Great Things that Enhance your Life!"

Connect with us . . . 
Phyproductions123@gmail.com
(301) 910-8076 Mobile 

Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn, Pinterest and soon, Instagram! Don't forget to share!

Get Fit! Get Healthy! . . . In the Zone!

July 4th is here and will soon be over . . .  But! The Farmers' Market season is moving right along! 

Remember -- "Chubby Checker recorded the original nostalgic party jam – "let's twist again like we did last summer," Summer of 1960."  Twisting is a Great Exercise! So . . .

If you've been indulging and grilling up those hamburgers, hot dogs, short ribs, long ribs, tofu ribs since the advent of the summer season (and it isn't over yet), perhaps you should consider visiting a nearby local farmers market and gather up some of those delicious vegetables and fruits!

Boy oh Boy! When I sliced up some of those juicy red, hearty tomatoes, my eyes rolled back in my head! Memories of how a REAL tomato should taste like! And then I cut up some of those crunchy baby cucumbers, sprinkled a bit of pepper and lemon seasoning and made me want to shout! 

I love summertime and fresh seasonal vegetables and fruit . . . They lots of flavor! In another day or so, I am going to slice up my summer squash, but I have to eat up my pot of cooked kale -- the way my mother and grandmothers used to cook them -- in a pot so I may savor that good ole pot liquor . . . Ummmmm, ummmm! 

Don't get me wrong, I have been eating "RAW" most of my life because my parents instilled good eating habits when my sister and I were little people. Our grandparents would venture outdoors at the crack of dawn and pick vegetables, dig up potatoes, pull up beets and corn from their garden and prepare healthy meals each and every day.  Besides, I consume enough green leafy vegetable -- salads, carrots, and eat lots of other food with fiber -- so, it is best not to not consume too much fiber! Balance is the key!

 
Berries, berries and more berries! 

When you get a handful of sweet juicy blueberries from the local farm, there's nothing like them in the world! One of our customers came by last Saturday and said she could not put the carton down . . . She just kept poppin' them in her mouth until they were all gone! Needless to say, those berries never made it in her home . . . Drop some on top of your cereal, yogurt -- Yum! 

It is a good thing I ate dinner before I prepared this blog! I am excited that tomorrow is Farmers' Market Day! 







 

“Roots &Stems”

Farmers' Market is now in its third weekend and the harvest is plentiful!

If you are in the area, grab a recyclable/sustainable bag to the market this Saturday! Joel Edelen Produce and Shlagel Farms will be at the market with loads of farm produce!

What's in season . . .??

Fennel
White Sweet Potato
Red Potato
Korabi
Kale (3 varieties), Collards, Swiss Chard
Salad Greens (chemical  free hydroponic)
Beets, Leeks, Radish
Spring Onions, White and Red
Broccoli
Cabbage; Green
Cabbage; Pac-Choi
Yellow/ Green Squash
Pickling  and Regular Cucumbers
Green Beans
Red Potatoes; New
Tomatoes, Home Grown
Blueberries

Eggplant -- 5 Varieties!

And, brown eggs!

In the coming weeks , we will be adding a few prepared food vendors too!  

Kirksey Catering - featuring Raw Kale with brocolli/carrot, pumpkin seed salad with/without Grilled chicken and Red Velvet Cupcakes

Keesha and Cousin - Homemade deserts

And more goodies will be added in the coming weekends! If you or you know a foodie looking for a great new farmers' market, tell them to give us a call!  We would love to have them join us!

Bring the family, tell the neighbors! Find a market, come out and support our local Maryland farmers  . . . 

Mark your calendars!

Buy Local Week is coming up soon!  End of July!

 “Roots &Stems”

a Community Farmers' Market

Tucker Road Athletic Complex

1770 Tucker Road, Fort Washington, MD  20744

Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

 We'll see you on Saturday!  And remember bring your walking shoes and . . . Get in the Zone!

Phyllicia                                                              Mark
Market Manager                                       Market Manager
Phyproductions123@gmail.com
(301) 910-8076 Mobile