Harvest Festival 2012

Well folks, it's the close of the 2012 season.  While we are sad to say goodbye until next year, we are really looking forward to this Saturday's closing day Harvest Festival celebration.  We have extended the hours for this weekend's market, so be sure to stop by anytime between 9am and 1pm to join in with the fun!  

Here's some of what we have lined up for the day: 

• Live music by Jamaica Ray- 9am-10am
• Music by Barefoot Jones- 10am-1pm
• Cooking demonstrations by Cooking Matters
• Children’s activities brought to us by BOTH The Magic House AND St. Louis Children’s Hospital
• Entertainment by Vinnie the Mime
• 11:30am- Halloween Costume Contest vote
• and more!

Check out the photo below from the 2009 Halloween costume contest at North City Farmers' Market!  So, so cute!

Finally, you can look forward to visiting many of the great local vendors you have come to know and love, including: 

• 13th Street Community Garden
• Old North Grocery Co-op
• Zee Bee Market
• Black Bear Bakery
• MK Fruits and Veggies
• New Roots Urban Farm
• Del Carmen: “Black Beans a la Cubana”
• Homegrown
• ReTrailer
• Karen’s Creations
• Linda’s Creative Designs
• El Chico Bakery
• Freddie Lee’s Ghetto Sauce
• Stuff N Things
• Benton Park Creations
• Mound City Soap Company
• La Mancha Coffeehouse

Can't wait to see you on Saturday!  Remember that we have extended the hours for this Saturday's market and will be open a whole extra hour, from 9am-1pm!  

September 29th at the Market

Hello, friends!  We have only three weeks left of the 2012 season, so we hope to see you soon!

This week at the market we will have a great variety of produce, crafts, artisan breads, and other great items to choose from.  Also, at 10am the "Spirits of New Northside Drill Team" will be performing.  Spirits of New Northside Drill Team is a project of New Northtside Baptist Church on Goodfellow Blvd. in north St. Louis.  We are really looking forward to welcoming this group of talented young performers to the market and we hope you are able to join us!

Check out this youtube video to get a taste of what tomorrow's performance will be like: Spirits of New Northside Drill Team   Fortunately, we will not have any UPS semis honking tomorrow!

See you tomorrow and thanks for supporting the North City Farmers' Market!

Ames School to strut stuff on Saturday!

Hiya folks!  Ring in the Fall season with a visit to the North City Farmers' Market this Saturday!

We hope you can join us this Saturday for a great day at the market!  Our usual vendors will be back, including but certainly not limited to: New Roots Urban Farm, Homegrown, Zee Bee Market, El Chico Bakery, Old North Grocery Co-op, 13th St. Community Garden, and much, much more! 

Additionally, we have two, count them, TWO exciting performances scheduled for ya!  Starting at 9:30am the Dave Shogren Duo will be performing live.  You might have caught these guys performing at this year's Old North House and Community Tour.  They put on quite a show!  Then, at 11am we will have a dance performance by the Ames Tops Hats, a student group from Ames School of Visual and Performing Arts.  

Ms. Prince and Dancers from Ames VPA

Hope to see you on Saturday!

Saturday, September 15th

Hello, North City Farmers' Market friends!

We are very excited about this weekend's market.  Here is some of what's in store.

• Jamaica Ray will be delighting market-goers with his steel drum music starting at 9:30am.  
• St. Louis University Nursing Faculty will be on-site doing health screenings all morning long
• Cooking Matters, a project of Operation Food Search will be doing cooking demos from 10:30am-Noon.  
• Many local vendors will be selling their locally produced; fair-trade; eco-friendly; locally grown; made with love products.

Hope you can make it out to the market this weekend!  

Feature in Feast Magazine's September Issue

We are so pleased to announce that Feast Magazine has featured the North City Farmers' Market in it's September issue.  Check out the article with photos below or for an easier to read, condensed online version follow the link here: Online Feast Magazine Article

Thanks so much to the nice folks at Feast Magazine for taking the time to visit the North City Farmers' Market and for helping to spread the word about the market and our fantastic vendors!  For more information about the North City Farmers' Market, keep your eyes on this blog, "like" us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter!

Hope to see you this week and every weekend at the market from 9am-Noon, located at the 2700 block of North 14th St. (across from Crown Candy Kitchen).  As always, in case of rain we will be located in the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group gallery space at 2700 N. 14th St.  

Wack-A-Doo: Saturday, August 25th 2012

Join us this Saturday for a great day at the market!  Not only will many fantastic local vendors be present at the market but we will have a fantastic performance by local legends: Wack-A-Doo and Lindy Hop St. Louis.  If you have not seen these two groups perform before, you do not want to miss this!  In most recent Old North history, Lindy Hop St. Louis provided some very exciting entertainment at the Annual Homegrown Festival and House Tour.  Check out some of the photos from that performance below.

Hope to see you on Saturday for this week's fun market day!  Oh, and be sure to purchase your very own North City Farmers' Market t-shirt at the information booth this week!

Visit us Saturday, August 18th!

Be sure to stop by the North City Farmers' Market this Saturday to enjoy and support local farmers, businesses, and artisans!  We are very excited to announce that students from Folk School St. Louis will be performing performing old-time string band music throughout the morning.  Check out Folk School St. Louis' website (link above) for more information on this very cool local organization whose mission is: " to build community by providing educational programs that promote the learning, teaching, renewal, and perpetuation of traditional music and folk arts".  

We hope to see you there!  As always, the market will operate Saturday from 9am-Noon at Crown Square in Old North St. Louis (across from Crown Candy Kitchen).  In case of rain we will set up in the indoor Old North St. Louis Restoration Group gallery space at 2700 North 14th St.

Vegetapalooza Recap

We at the North City Farmers' Market want to thank everyone who made it out to the market last Saturday for Vegetapalooza, 2012.  There was a fantastic crowd, friendly faces, and lots of fun was had.  In fact, we were so busy on Saturday that our selection of photos is pretty limited from the day.  Let me know if you captured any beauties and would like to share them with the market!

Congratulations to the winners of the "Strange-Vegetable Contest": The Burning Kumquat!  The Burning Kumquat, Washington University's Student-run Farm won for their super freaky Armenian Cucumber (see below).

Congratulations and thanks are also in order for the salsa-making competition.  We had four great entries from local resident Byron (Chipotle Salsa), Homegrown (fresh tomato salsa), Freddie Lee's Ghetto Sauce (oh yeah, baby, there was ghetto sauce in it!), and The Burning Kumquat (fresh garden salsa).  It was a close call; each contestant's salsa was delicious and well appreciated.  In the end, we had a tie.  Byron with his smoky Chipotle Salsa and Jody from Homegrown with her fresh tomato salsa took home the prizes (pies) for their delicious salsas!

It is also important that we acknowledge all those who made Vegetapalooza possible.  From our fantastic vendors who offer a great deal of variety and good cheereach week, to our volunteers who help with all aspects of market operations.  

We must also thank contributing organizations, such as Magic House St. Louis and Gateway Greening for attending the market.  Magic House staff delighted families with the opportunity to decorate silly hats and fun glasses.  Gateway Greening provided demos and starts for children to plant their own ornamental flowers.    Thanks to both organizations for your time and support of the North City Farmers' Market!

Thanks to The Ragged Blade Band for another great performance!  This group really stays strong through the heat of St. Louis summers.  It is always a fun and memorable experience to see them live, so follow them on Facebook and check out the reverbnation link above.

Finally, thanks to all who participated in and donated pies, tarts, or cakes to the pie walk.  I have to say, I was overwhelmed by the generosity of Old North neighbors and business-owners, North City Farmers' Market vendors, and NCFM volunteers.  The pie walk was a great success.  Many people went home smiling with their pie(s) and we were able to raise some money for the market, as well.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart (and from that of the North City Farmers' Market)!

See some more photos of the day below and PLEASE, send us any you took at this year's Vegetapalooza!

Vegetapalooza 2012

That's right, folks!  It's that time of year again!!!!  

On Saturday, July 28 from 9 am to Noon, the North City Farmers’ Market will host Vegetapalooza, a celebration of local produce and healthy habits in the community. Activities will include a salsa-making contest, a strangest vegetable contest, a pie walk, sustainability demos by Gateway Greening, face-painting, and local produce, meats, cheeses, and artisan vendors. 

The Ragged Blade Band will provide live music and the Magic House will sponsor children’s activities.

If you would like to enter the pie walk, please let us know you plan to bring a pie or cake to enter.  You can email me at michellekwiegand@gmail.com or call 314-241-5031.

See you Saturday for a great time at the North City Farmers' Market!

Recap of July 21st at NCFM

Thanks to all who made it out for last weekend's market!  I hope you enjoyed your visit as much as we enjoyed hosting!  For those of you who missed it check out this great photo of The ReTrailer at the North City Farmers' Market last weekend!  The ReTrailer is a rehabbed Wigwam trailer that has been converted in to a mobile tea and spice shop.

From the The ReTailer website: "All products are made with organic, fair trade ingredients and prepared with love by owner and operator Lisa Govro. Recipes are influenced by a really old (like, 5,000 years) life science, Ayurveda, which promotes the art of balanced living through positive thought and healthy eating. With this in mind, The ReTrailer hopes to spread health, happiness and smiles all over the Gateway city and beyond."


You will see from the website that the North City Farmers' Market is The ReTrailer's home away from home...when not at an arts fair or another Saturday festival she will be parked and open for business at the North City Farmers' Market, Saturdays from 9am-Noon.

If you missed The ReTrailer this past weekend, you can visit her next on Saturday August 11th, when we will also be hosting a "Back to School Day" at the market.

Also present at last week's market were two faculty members from Saint Louis University's School of Nursing.  These faculty members volunteer their Saturday mornings to be present at the market, doing blood pressure checks and sharing informational materials on healthy lifestyles.  Be sure to stop by their booth each  on the 3rd Saturday of every month.

Thanks to the many other vendors and volunteers who help make the North City Farmers' Market possible week after week!  See you next Saturday for VEGETAPALOOZA 2012!

July 14th at the Market

This Saturday, July 14th is sure to be a fun day for families and friends at the North City Farmers' Market.  The St. Louis Children's Hospital will be on-site throughout the market hosting a Reusable Grocery Bag Decorating activity.  Kids can color a reusable grocery bag for parents to use every time they shop. It's a unique way to display your child's artwork while helping the environment!  This activity is free and open to the public.

Cooking Matters, a project of Operation Food Search, will be doing cooking demos from 10:30am-Noon.  This week's recipe features several produce items found at the North City Farmers' Market, including tomatoes, cucumbers, and jalepeno...that's all I can tell you for now!  To find out the rest of the ingredients, get the recipe, and try some delectable samples stop by the market from 10:30am-Noon.

And, more good news...The Friendly Henrys will be performing at the market from 9am-Noon.  If you missed them June 30th, you do not want to miss them again.  This bluegrass/folksy trio will lift your spirits and soothe your soul.  The name "friendly" suits them well.  You may need to be reminded that you are still in the city, not enjoying a day in the country listening to your family or friends strumming and singing their favorite tunes.  

And, of course, there will be many local produce, crafts, and foods vendors to choose from, as well.  This week we welcome a new vendor: Freddie Lee's Ghetto Sauce will be selling their gourmet barbecue and dipping sauces.  If you have not had it before, be sure to stop by the Freddie Lee's Ghetto Sauce booth for some samplings of polish and chicken breasts, chips with dip and more.  Zee Bee Market will be selling Fair Trade and eco-friendly gifts (I love my new earrings!).  MK Produce will have their lovely tomatoes.  The Burning Kumquat, Washington University's student-run farm, will be here.  Pick up your local jams, honeys, peanut butter, meats, and cheeses from the Old North Grocery Co-op booth.  And much, much more!

We hope to see you on Saturday.  The market operates from 9am-Noon every Saturday June through mid-October.  In the event of rain, we will locate inside the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group Gallery at 2700 North 14th St.

North City Farmers' Market Promo Video

Visit the North City Farmers' Market and make your local veggies happy!  ...oh geez, those veggies get me every time.


Thanks to Maria Falconer, owner of Rambles Gifts (2611 N. 14th Street, St. Louis, MO 63106) and Marketing Chair for Old North St. Louis Restoration Group, for putting this video together.  She's got talent!


Please share this video with your friends and family, link to our blog, post this on Facebook, etc.   Spread the news about the North City Farmers' Market!

farmers' market eye candy!!!

Some of the delicious, local offerings available at tomorrow's market!

Tomatoes from MK Fruits and Veggies in Mt. Vernon, MO and peaches and blackberries from Thierbach Orchards and Berry Farm in Marshalltown, MO....nom, nom, nom, nom, nom!!!!

Friendly Henrys at NCFM

While it's going to be a hot day, we promise the North City Farmers' Market will be well worth a visit tomorrow.  The Friendly Henrys will be performing from 9am-Noon.  The Friendly Henrys are a St. Louis area Bluegrass/Country/Folk trio who perform throughout St. Louis city and region regularly.  We're very excited about the band's performance this year.  Pick up your groceries and then shake your groceries to this great group!

We have a diverse selection of local fruits, veggies, soaps, and crafts that will be available tomorrow, as well.  Tomorrow's selection will include local peaches and blackberries from Thierbach Orchards in Marthasville, MO will be on sale, tomatoes and more from MK Fruits and Veggies.  The Old North Grocery Co-op will be selling locally produced jams, meats, cheeses, and more.  Jaymoo Productions will be selling soaps.  Stuff N Things will have jewelry and aprons.  International Institute will be selling items harvested from the Institute's Global Farms.  El Chico will be selling fruit empanadas AND cookies this week.  Del Carmen has beans, black bean soup (delicious served hot or cold), and broths.  Plus, much more.

For the young (and the young at heart) we will have the sprinklers going, so that everyone stays cool and having fun!

Don't miss this week's market, like every Saturday, from 9am-Noon at N. 14th St. and St. Louis Ave. (across from Crown Candy Kitchen).

Citrus Kale Salad by Cooking Matters

Did you make it out the Cooking Matters demo Saturday, June 9th?  If not, check out this delicious recipe that was featured by Cooking Matters, a project of Operation Food Search.  Learn more about Cooking Matters by going to their blog.

We are so glad to be partnering with Operation Food Search this season.  Cooking Matters will be doing demos the 2nd Saturday of each month.  Catch them next time Saturday, July 14th!

Many of our farmers are selling Kale these days, in addition to many other fresh and healthy goodies.  Depending on the season, each week at the North City Farmers' Market you could find tomatoes, okra, chard, cut flowers, green beans, beans by Del Carmen, meats, cheeses, local crafts, and much more!!

Join us every Saturday from 9am-Noon, located at St. Louis Ave. and North 14th St.- Across from Crown Candy Kitchen!

Join us for Opening Day!

Can't wait to see you at the opening day of the North City Farmers' Market.  This year's opening day will feature children's activities, live music by the St. Louis Caledonian Pipe Band, local craft merchants, and, of course, the fresh, locally produced fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and other specialty foods you have come to know and love about the North City Farmers' Market.  

Come on out and join your neighbors and friends in a celebration of summer while supporting the hard-working local farmers and merchants that help keep the North City Farmers' Market one of the best kept secrets in town!

Save the Date- June 2nd Opening Day!

Who's looking forward to the upcoming 2012 season? I know we are! Opening day of the North City Farmers' Market will be Saturday, June 2nd.  The Market operates every Saturday from June through mid-October from 9 am-Noon.  We are located on the Crown Square Development of North 14th St., just across the street from Crown Candy Kitchen. 

Opening Day will feature live musical entertainment by the St. Louis Caledonian Pipe Band starting at 10 am!  We are very excited to have this lively band of pipers or drummers to start the season off right!  Check out the band's website here: http://www.slcpb.com/  The group has generously offered to donate their time at the market this year and we are so very grateful for that.  Thanks to Sarah Kate Buckles, Manager of the Old North Grocery Co-Op, for coordinating the group's performance!  Don't miss this unique and impressive performance.

Opening Day will also feature children's activities and, of course, some of the finest St. Louis-area farmers, crafters, artisans, and merchants.  Stay tuned for more upcoming events and news from the North City Farmers' Market! 

Trivia Night 2012!

Announcing the 2nd Annual Trivia Night- A fundraiser for the North City Farmers' Market. This year's trivia night will also benefit the 13th St. Community Garden. Come on out and show of your mad knowledge of all things intellectual, fun, and just plain weird! There will also be a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, local beer, and other fun surprises. Don't forget to register to save a seat...call: 314.241.5031 or, email: info@onsl.org Hope to see you all there!

Opening Day 2012

We are excited to announce that the opening day of the 2012 season will be Saturday, June 2nd!! Stay tuned for upcoming events and more!

Market Season- Here we come!

We are gearing up for the 2012 Farmers Market season!  Ahh..the days wandering up and down North 14th St. and picking out ripe tomatoes, delicious and crusty breads, and local meats (and much more!)...all while sipping on some La Mancha coffee.  Can't wait!

We have begun the planning process for this season's market but we would love your feedback, too. 

If you have a few minutes, please follow this link and complete this short survey.  With your feedback we hope to plan another fantastic market season! 

http://kwiksurveys.com?u=onslfarmersmarket

Happy Friday!