Join us at the Market!

The 2013 Farmer's Market Season

is right around the corner!

 . . . And representatives in the agriculture industry, market masters, farmers, food preparers, and more are stirring things up, planting seeds, and getting ready for a bountiful harvest this season! 

Here’s a question for you, “Have you been keeping up with the growing greening industry that is saturating every community in the nation?” Well, we have! The environmental and food industries are bustling with a resurgence of new businesses, organizations and of course, the federal government has been keeping a finger on the pulse to ensure our communities’ stakeholders have access to wholesome and healthy food.  Needless to say, there is no shortage of local farmers markets in the United States and the numbers are increasing each year. According to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Services (AMS), there are over 7,800 farmer’s markets up and running in communities across the nation. In the Washington, D.C. Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA), the region boasts four hundred fourteen (414) local farmers markets; 153 in Maryland, 226 in Virginia, and 35 in the District of Columbia.[1]

Additionally, “The top states, in terms of the number of markets reported in the AMS directory, include California (827 markets), New York (647 markets), Massachusetts (313 markets), Michigan (311 markets), Wisconsin (298 markets), Illinois (292 markets), Ohio (264 markets), Pennsylvania (254 markets), Virginia and Iowa (tied with 227 markets) and North Carolina (202 markets). Together they account for nearly half (49 percent) of the farmers markets listed in the 2012 directory.” [2]

“Geographic regions like the mid-Atlantic (Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia), the Northeast (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont), and the Southeast (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee) saw large increases in their listings, reporting, 15.8, 14.4 and 13.1 percent more markets, respectively.”[3]

Now that you have been well informed about the growing number of healthy food hubs to help feed your body and soul, the flip side to this exciting revelation is that there are neighborhoods which still do not have the benefit of accessing healthy produce and other nourishing foods. Case in point, during the spring and summer months in 2002, I recall driving in certain neighborhoods around the city (D.C.) with my beloved father observing the number of citizens that seemed to be gaining weight.  My father as considerate as he was, told me to stop talking about people because he felt I was being hurtful. But in due time, he too began to recognize that folks were becoming more “full-bodied”.

When the folks who could possibly shed light and take action on this “bulging” problem, recognizing that obesity had already become a health problem, it was too late. People living in underprivileged communities were already experiencing increased incidences of heart disease, diabetes, blood pressure and other debilitating health related conditions was on the rise. Medical practitioners, food preparers, legislators, and other people concerned about the well-being of citizens soon recognized that the light bulb above their heads needed to be turned on and the rest has become history.

 

While I would enjoy sharing my ideas and experiences and research about this vast subject matter I believe there are a sufficient number of organizations that are doing the work to inform, educate and explore how we may become a healthier society. Organizations run the gamut promoting healthy foods, beverages, supplements, topical solutions, natural herbs, spices, and recipes. Some of these organizations include: NutritionAction.com, Women Food and Agriculture Network (WFAN), Center for Science in the Public Interest (CPSI), The Healthy Urban Food Enterprise Development (HUFED) Center, Agritourism, LocalHarvest, Accokeek Foundation, University of Maryland Extension, So Good, So Maryland, Real Age, FreshNation, USDA, Department of Agriculture, Sproutade, MOM’s, Yes, Whole Foods, and on and on and on.

The Wallace Center produced the report, Charting Growth: Sustainable Food Indicators  in 2009 with the primary focus to “develop indicators for sustainable community-based food systems (SCBFS). As the report points out, these indicators were used to, “assess their current strength in the US and their growth. The vision guiding this project was one of greater viability and number of food systems that provide access for all communities to a safe and healthy food supply, grown in a manner that protects the environment and adds social and economic value to rural and urban communities.”[4]

‘EAT WELL and FEEL REAL GOOD INSIDE!’

“WHY GOOD FOOD MATTERS” – According to Winrock . . .

For many of us, since childhood we recall the term, “We are what we eat.” Expounding upon this thought Winrock states, “Through eating, we re-make our world according to what we are.” The researchers at Winrock assert, “It is hardly surprising that a country where ever-higher levels of material consumption are prized as signs of status and progress is showing the impacts of over-consumption in our bodies, in our national budget and individual credit-card balances, and in our land and waters. Fast food consumption has surged since the first McDonald’s opened as a walk-up stand in 1948, featuring 15-cent hamburgers, french fries, milkshakes, coffee and Coca-Cola. To read the full report, visit: 

http://www.wallacecenter.org/our-work/past-initiatives/sustainable-food-indicators

So, to continue doing our part to help solve this dilemma, we are providing our neighbors with healthy and wholesome foods at one of the D.C. region’s farmer’s market . . .

American Market@National Harbor

May 4 until October 26, 2013 ~ 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Founded in 2008, the American Market is a farmer's market situated in the heart of National Harbor located on American Way. Surrounded by trees, park benches, a cooling fountain,  a variety of merchants, restaurants, and a host of savvy businesses, and residents, the market features local family owned and operated farms such as Tyson Farm (est.1988) hailing from the lush mountains in Hedgesville, West Virginia and Miller Farm (est. 1840) from the rolling fields in Clinton, Maryland. In addition to our farmers, the market also features local artisans who hand produce products such as; handmade jewelry from recycled items, greeting cards, skin and hair products, customized long boards, banana breads, roasted nuts, straw hats, spices and dips, local Maryland wines, pierogies, delicious ganache, kettle corn, sorbets, and more that will tantalize the taste buds!

Applications are rolling in from local purveyors submitting their bids to participate in the sixth season at the American Market!  To date, the following vendors are confirmed and prepared to welcome visitors and residents from around the region and from other cities and countries to partake in a fruitful season. To offer you a hint of what our local growers and food vendors offer, here's a sampling from our farmers and artisans to help prepare you for the season . . .

Our Farmers & Specialty Food Vendors . . .

Miller Farms (grower/farmer), Tyson Farms (orchard farmer), Wilhoit’s Roasted Nuts (cinnamon and sugar coated pecans, almonds, cashews and spicy cashews), Big Poppa's Kettle Korn (five (5) flavors), Boordy Vineyards (local Maryland wines), GoneGreens (delicious dishes created with greens),Gourmet Creations by Joni (herbal dips and savory sauces),G's Periogies (authentic and homemade), Allie and Trish Sweets (low fat ganache), The Sweetest Surrender (sweet and delicious sorbets)  . . . (as of 2/22/13)

Our Artisans . . .

Big Mama's (soy) Candles, Canvas and Matted Photography (images from cities in the U.S.), Casazza Designs (straw hats, bedazzled sun visors, jewelry), Habeebah's Herbals (personal care products – hair, skin), Holley Blue Jewelry (silver jewelry), K. Lynn Creations (handmade pillows, ornaments), NativeGrind (custom designed long boards), Reinvented Elegance (a variety of dazzling jewelry and accessories made from recycled items, greeting cards, mosaics, pressed flower art), Elements One (precious stones jewelry, travel candles), Scarvelous (crocheted hats, hand clutches), ET Textiles (handcrafted women’s cloth handbags, jewelry, accessories), Fatima Silver Creations (precious stones, silver jewelry), Millie’s Scented Rocks (aromatic rocks for health and wellbeing)  . . . (as of 2/22/13)

HILights – Farmers/Growers

Tyson Farm, circa 1988 (Hedgesville, West Virginia) has been American Market’s staple farmer since 2010 boasting delicious tree and other fruits and vegetables. The farm is a family run and operated with Max Tyson at the forefront along with his sidekick brother, Miles. They travel selling their produce from market to market in West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland. The farm harvests acres of tree fruit such as delicious peaches, twelve (12) varieties of apples, six (6) kinds of pears, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, succulent blackberries, cherries, zucchini, squash, and more!

Miller Farms, circa 1840 (Clinton, Maryland), one of the first local growers when American Market was established six years ago bringing seasonal produce such as: asparagus, beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, greens, spinach, lettuce, okra, sweet onions, peas, peppers, radishes, yellow squash, green zucchini, pumpkins, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, turnips. In addition, a few years ago, Miller Farms acquired a bakery from another nearby market that produced  delicious baked goods featuring a delicious selection of donuts, cookies, butter-flake rolls, seasonal pies, sweet cakes, muffins, shortbread, bread pudding, rum buns. Other offerings on sale will be items from their green house herbs, vegetable plants, annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, planters, and don’t leave the market without your jars of McCutcheon's products jellies, jams, butters, relishes!

American Market welcomes artisans, exhibitors and specialty food vendors who handcraft their products and wares. Interested? The market is managed and produced by Phenomenal Productions LLC. Connect with us at phyproductions123@gmail.com. Visit www.nationalharbor.com and www.phenomenalproductions.com

‘We’ll see you at the market!’

---

[1][1] USDA Agricultural Marketing Services, Internet, 2012 Directory, Data was updated on 1/18/2013 and this includes entries received from 1/09/2013 - 1/18/2013. The next update is tentatively scheduled for 02/07/2013.

[2][2] Ibid.

[3][3] Ibid.

[4][4] Wallace Center, Winrock International, Internet, 2006

Compassion . . .

At long last! I am blogging!

Welcome!

Some have encouraged me to start blogging perhaps because I always have lots to share and they just cannot tolerate the long and winding text messages, FB messages and the never ending e-mail notes I often share. But when it comes to Twitter, I am so restricted with my words and Lord knows, I am very challenged when I have to condense my thoughts and forced to read messages from loved ones that substitute "real" words such as; "u" for you or "n" for and or "u'all" or "u'will" or "fone" for telephone, "Thx n 2 u n . . . " "R u" for are you . . . What in the world! I spend most of my time trying to decipher these short statements! It would be a lot quicker if they would just spell out the words! It is equally bad in the workplace where words and departments are acronyms!

We all realize, or those of us who already know that we need to possess a command of the English/American language to hold onto a decent job, but our youth and some adults are slipping into the cultural norm of KISS! In other words, Keep it short silly! 

Needless, I am sure you will agree, it can be challenging carrying on conversations with folks who are different than you. Besides, most people don't believe that I was very quiet as a child and young adult. And that I just discovered my voice only a few years ago not to mention, most women enjoy sharing -- verbally!

Hence, the nitty-gritty of my blog . . . Being compassionate through our differences. 

Recently, while running errands, I decided to drive to the gasoline station to place fuel in my car. Of course, trying to save a few dollars. . .  Opps! I meant to say, pennies. I decided to stop at a new nearby gas station. Seated behind the three inch thick Plexiglas barrier, were at least five people who appeared, sounded, and dressed differently than I do. As I uttered the words and handed the woman with a headdress on a ten and a five dollar bill, I requested fifteen dollars worth of gas . . . She took the bills and tossed the ten dollar bill back at me and told me it was not real and held onto the five dollars and asked me if I wanted to spend the money for gas.

Now, one can imagine what went through my mind and the next words that spilled forth from my mouth were . . . "What do you mean it’s not real!" Her lips did not move, but her eyes stated the thoughts that her mouth wanted to say. So, I took my money and proceeded to the next gas station.  Once again, I would have to interface with people from another culture . . . But this time, before handing the attendant the money, I asked first, "is this ten dollar bill real?"  The response . . . No! And much to my surprise, the individual tossed the money back at me; however, the three inch barrier stopped it from flying into my face.

Okay . . . Here's the thing, like most people, I don't pay much attention to bills which are transferred to me  . . . I take them and spend the money. It seems that the people sitting behind the barriers we find in gasoline stations, corner liquor stores located in the neighborhoods; those order quickly and get out in a hurry carry-out food stops which are staffed with people of different cultures can detect counterfeit money better than natural born Americans. How curious . . .

Although I appreciate the fact the new immigrants have found ways to offer services to the general public in the United States, I have a problem with folks who have not discovered a way to assimilate completely and learn meaningful ways to offer excellent customer service. I felt assaulted and hurt after asking the attendant to help me understand how to determine that the bill was counterfeit. Sad to say, I was met with opposition by his rudeness!  The owners of the station treated me as if I was the person responsible for producing the money – Right! I make money in my small printing business . . . Humph! If they only knew the state of my current circumstances.

Hint: Let’s face adversity in the gap . . . There is a bright lining to every adverse
situation . . . Follow the path!

As some are aware, I give God all of the accolades for the good and bad things that occur even for the people who enter my world.  Popular culture have named these experiences,  “acts of kindness” or "good deeds," or "paying it forward."  A popular Primetime television show known as, "What Would you do?" demonstrates how helpful people should or could behave when they witness something gone awry. So, here's something for those of you who tire of my wordy chit chat -- KISS -- I name these actions simply being kind . . .

The Bible records thousands of stories introducing individuals who were thoughtful and took the time to pause and help someone.  One familiar story found in Luke 10:25 - 37 where two people, including a priest and a Levite passed by a man lying along the road stripped and beaten by robbers.  Suddenly, a Samaritan traveling along the road stopped, "he was moved with pity."

I felt the same way while the two gasoline attendants demonstrated uncaring and thoughtless consideration for my dilemma . . . And all of a sudden a voice belted through the tense environment -- Rodney stepped forward and stood up for me! It was tough though because my spirit is very sensitive to profanity, but Rodney spoke up and told the gentlemen that they were truly disrespecting me. Other than being called that bad word people are not supposed to use, many years ago some folks riding along the roadside in Virginia yelled that "N" word at me.  Rodney, with more than five customers filling the gasoline space witness him call the attendant the "N word!"  Oh my! Oh no!  I said to myself, people, it's not that deep!  Get a hold of yourselves!

With this new incident, I now have a better appreciation of how effective those three inch barriers are; holding back folks from jumping over the counter when tempers flare. I quickly called out to Rodney while walking in his direction, I asked if I would show me how to determine counterfeit bills . . . He calmed down and after distracting him, I turned and thanked him for stepping up for me. I gave him a big hug and commended this African American man for his bravery and for being respectful and shared with him that not too many people would do what he did for me. Needless to say, he had the last word as he departed the station . . . As he yelled out once again at the attendants.

So, my next step was to complete my task . . . Purchase gas, but I also shared with the owner that all of this hoopla could have been avoided if he or his colleague would have simply taken the time to help me . . . Believe it or not, his response to me was, "Why are you still talking! I don't need to hear what you have to say! It is over . . . If you are buying gas, then do it, you don't need to keep talking! If you don't want to buy here, then leave!"

So, I ponder . . . Will the business continue to thrive?  I don't think so if the immigrants continue to treat people in this manner. Our nation is fast becoming a place where the majority of the people are of color. Our school systems are fervently working to create ways preparing youths to compete in a very competitive environments and hone them with the skill sets to fold into environments that will help citizens become successful. My question then becomes, why must we do battle with people who have not learned the important languages of our culture . . . Kindness, thoughtfulness.

Or should the question become, is this our language? Or perhaps, some are reacting from a position of fear and uncertainty?  Our nation has become more diverse and our workplaces are increasingly becoming reliant and are anticipating a skilled labor force in the area of math and science. But while our [schools] are improving curriculums in these areas in our education’s institutions, it is equally important to help people develop and integrate excellent relational and communication skills.

Perhaps I will have the opportunity to reconnect with Rodney to thank him again. But, then again, through my life’s experiences people like Rodney come in our lives for a fleeting moment -- to deliver a message of hope and comfort. Meanwhile, after all of this chit chat, I guess you are wondering what I’ve done with the ten dollar bill . . . I gave it to one of my neighbors who took it to his banker who in turn recommended that I send it to the secret service to investigate. So I shall.

Finally, the question . . . Will I return to that gasoline station of which I have patronized for many years? Nah, I suppose the regular folks who go there will continue to assimilate to a culture within a vacuum of familiarity. After all, it’s all about money for them -- we pay, they gain.  By the way . . . It's a BP gas station, just in case you were wondering. *smile*

By the way . . . The photo credits belong to National Geographic and Google photographers. And . . . The one on the top was taken by yours truly!

Happy '2013' New Year!