Opening Day 2016

The North City Farmers' Market is back in business for the 2016 and set to open on Saturday, June 4th from 10am - 12pm! 

While we are excited to be back, we do have a few changes to let you know about. This year, the market will be held one block east in the 13th Street Community Garden from 10am - 12pm. You'll find the garden at the intersection of N 13th Street and Montgomery. While you may not be as familiar with the garden as you think, they've been growing food for the market since 2010 and are excited to host us this season. You'll get an up close and personal look at where your produce comes from and how it's harvested!

Other vendors this season besides the garden will include City Seeds Urban Farm (part of Gateway Greening), The Burning Kumquat, Andrea Berry, 37 Chocolate Street, Beaucoup Creek Honey, and City House Country Mouse.

We'll also be working in regular cooking demos, nutrition education, and health screenings to make sure we promote health all the way around for our visitors. 

We're taking a step back this year as we work to build capacity for an even bigger and better market in the future. We hope you enjoy this new "farm stand" style of market hosted in the garden and we are looking forward to seeing you on Saturday, June 4th!

If you have any questions, want to be a produce or local food vendor, or want to volunteer, please contact Jessica at jessica@onsl.org or 314-241-5031x104.

Harvest Festival & Market

It's hard to believe, but the final market day of  2015 is upon us. Join us this Saturday from 10am - 1pm as we celebrate the close of the season with an old fashioned Harvest Festival and market, including a homemade pie contest.

We'll have DJ Dewitt Campbell on hand at 10am to kick off the event with a possible appearance from local KDHX DJ, Kevin Lawrence. Consuming Kinetics Dance Group will be on hand with free from and improvisational dancing to get the market on its feet.

Affinia Healthcare will be at the market at 10:30am to offer FREE Health Screenings for everyone. Take advantage of this opportunity to get your basic screenings done!

Margie Sawicki from St.Louis University in conjunction with Laumeier Sculpture Park will be presenting a Live Cooking Demo at 11:00am. She'll be making a squash, potato, and rutabaga soup and then a kale and vegetable saute. Samples will be available!

Since it was so popular on July 4th, we're bringing back the Homemade Pie Contest with the option to enter a sweet or savory pie - or both! Make sure all pies are dropped off at the info table by 12:00pm sharp for judging. We'll have an entry form for you to fill out at that point. Label any dishes you wish to have returned to you. As soon as judging is over and the winner is announced, we'll share pie as friends and neighbors!

For the kiddos: wear your favorite costume or Halloween gear and get a treat! We'll also have trick-or-treat bags to decorate!

From your friends at the North City Farmers' Market, thank you for a wonderful season and we hope to see you all out and about and at the market on Saturday!

Introducing Trombetta Squash!

Thanks to our friends at City Seeds, a Gateway Greening urban farm, we are pleased to introduce you to heirloom Trombetta Squash!

image source: reneesgardenseeds.blogspot.com

This long, serpentine squash is cousin to the zucchini and quite versatile in the kitchen. They have a slight, nutty artichoke flavor and hold up better than most squashes when cooking. From chopping up into a salad, adding to soups, and creating a saute, you really can't go wrong.

Here's a few recipes for you try at home after you pick up a squash at the market:

Italian Trombetta Tomato Saute
6 to 8 cups Trombetta Squash,peeled and chopped
1 onion,medium dice
4 medium fresh tomatoes, peeled and diced with juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped fine
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar

Add olive oil to a hot skillet, after oil is hot, saute squash and onion until onion is clear, add garlic and fresh tomatoes with juice ,cook covered for 5 minutes on low heat. Uncover and add oregano salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the dish before serving. Option: If Trombetta Squash is not available, try Yellow Summer Squash or Zucchini

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Pickled Summer Squash

1/4 cup salt
2 1/2 pounds young yellow squash and zucchini, sliced into rounds
1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
2 small onions, thinly sliced
2 1/4 cups white sugar
2 cups distilled white vinegar
2 teaspoons mustard seed
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon celery seed

Directions 

In a large non-aluminum pot, combine the squash, bell pepper, and onions. Cover with salt, and let stand for 2 hours to release the liquids. Stir occasionally.

Just before the 2 hours are up, combine the sugar, vinegar, mustard seed, turmeric and celery seed in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Drain the salty liquid from the vegetables. Pour the spice brine over the vegetables, and let stand for 2 more hours.

Bring to a boil once again, and simmer for about 5 minutes. Ladle into 1 pint sterile jars, filling with the liquid to within 1/4 inch of the top. Wipe rims with a clean towel, and run a thin spatula around the inside of the jar to remove air bubbles. Seal with lids and rings. Process for 10 minutes in a simmering water bath to seal completely.

Cooking in the Garden Recap

The 13th Street Community Garden played an even bigger role in the market than normal on Saturday, August 15. Thanks to Gateway Greening, we were able to host Danielle from Operation Food Search as she demonstrated an easy, healthy, and delicious recipe to garden visitors. The demo connected the healthy food you see each week at the market to the beds where we grow our vegetables here in Old North.

Danielle came prepared with all the ingredients for Summer Greens Slaw with Peanut Dressing. This tangy and nutrient-rich dish is the perfect use of summer and fall greens, readily available at farmers markets across the area. Though Danielle chose kale for her demo, the dish could be made with collard greens, chard, or even sweet potato greens!

If you couldn't make by the garden on Saturday, don't fret - she left the recipe to share with you all:

Summer Greens Slaw with Peanut Dressing

2 bunches of greens (kale, collard, chard)
2 bell peppers, any color, cut into thin strips
1 large carrot, peeled and shredded
1 large handful mint, chopped
1 large handful basil, chopped
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup canola oil
3 Tablespoons white vinegar
1 Tablespoon packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cucumber, seeded and finely chopped


1.  Wash greens well. Pull center rib out of greens and thinly slice

2.  In a large bowl, toss kale and rest of vegetables and herbs.

3.  In a tightly sealing glass jar or plastic container, combine peanut butter, oil, vinegar, brown sugar, salt and red pepper flakes. Shake well.

4.  Pour mixture over slaw and toss well. Garnish with cucumbers.

5.  Enjoy!

August at the North City Farmers' Market

Saturday, August 1 @ the North City Farmers’ Market (N 14^th ST. & St. Louis Ave)

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM         Fitness Scavenger Hunt Activities with Lift for Life Gym

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM         Printmaking activity at Central Print - free and open to all!

11:00 AM                          Spirit of the Northside Drum Line performs on 14th Street!

11:30 AM                          Nappy DJ Needles from KDHX takes the Crown Plaza Stage

Saturday, August 8: Back 2 School Giveaway @ the North City Farmers’ Market (N 14^th ST. & St. Louis Ave)

Parish Stewart Church will be handing out free school supplies for all school-age children throughout the market. Be sure to come early for free exercise and stay for the entertainment!

10:00 AM             FREE ZUMBA in Crown Square - All Abilities Welcome!

11:00 AM             Be Healthy Be Active Class - All welcome, no registration needed!

11:00 AM             Printmaking activity at Central Print - free and open to all!

11:30 AM             Compass Improv performance with Old North Girl Scouts on Crown Plaza Stage 

Saturday, August 15 : Cooking in the 13th Street Garden & African America Artifacts Festival          

Join us in the 13th Street Garden anytime between 11:00am-12:30pm to experience a healthy cooking demo among our fresh, organically grown produce! Operation Food Search will be teaching us a healthy new recipe as you enjoy the surroundings in the garden. 

Afterwards, head over to the market to pick up the ingredients to make the dish yourself. Show Me Sound Drum Corps – a local youth organization - will be on hand to provide the entertainment for the day.

2nd Annual Saint Louis African American Artifacts Festival and Bazaar
This family friendly event kicks off in Crown Square at 12:00pm and runs through 7:00pm. You'll find a variety of artifacts, music, poetry, art, dance, vendors, food, children's activities, heatlh and wellness and prizes!

We'll be sharing our market space with this festival, so look for us a bit further down the street in front of the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group offices.

Saturday, August 22

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM FREE ZUMBA in Crown Square - All Abilities Welcome!

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Urban League Health Van with FREE Health Screenings. No registration!

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM    Printmaking activity at Central Print - free and open to all!
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM   DJ Dewitt plays everyone's favorites in Crown Square

Saturday, August 29

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM FREE ZUMBA in Crown Square - All Abilities Welcome!

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Printmaking activity at Central Print - free and open to all!

11:30 AM                 Olivia Neal performs in Crown Plaza

If you’d like to volunteer for the market for set-up and take-down, we could use a few extra hands as we’ll be short a volunteer for the next two weeks. If you’re willing to stay and help sell produce, even better! Contact me, Jessica, for more information at Jessica@onsl.org or 314-241-5031 x102. 

Free Shuttle to Serve North City Farmers' Market

After months of planning, we're excited to announce a new opportunity for extended access to our market. Thanks to a new partnership with Lift for Life Gym and the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group, the North City Farmers' Market will be offering a free monthly shuttle to and from the market on select days this season.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to take advantage of this service. Simply wait at the most convenient location for you and hop on the Lift for Life shuttle bus. You'll be at the market in 20 minutes or less!

Shuttle Stops and Times:

Freedom Housing - 4011 Delmar
9:00 AM  |  10:10 AM  |  11:15 AM

Stamping Lofts - 219 Cass 
9:15 AM  |  10:25 AM  |  11:30 AM

O'Fallon Park Rec - 4343 W. Florissant
9:35 AM  |  10:45 AM  |  11:50 AM

Divoll Library - 4234 N Grand Blvd
9:40 AM  |  10:50 AM  |  11:55 AM

Grace Hill - 2125 Bissell
9:45 AM  |  10:55 AM  |  12:00 PM

Coming Up at the Market

Saturday, July 25th at the North City Farmers' Market

10:00 AM

Get ready for another fun-filled market as we kick off the day with free Zumba class at 10am. Linda Noble of the YMCA will lead you in heart-pumping, dance-based exercise to get your blood flowing before hitting the market. The class is geared toward all ages and fitness levels and is a go-at-your-own-pace setting. 

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Lizzie Warner with the University of Missouri Extension will be continuing the Be Healthy Be Active series with a class focused on the benefits of whole grains and feature a delicious veggie stir fry with brown rice demo. The class is open to everyone and free of charge. Meet inside the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group at 2700 N. 14th at 11:00am to join in.

Get your appetites ready for Operation Food Search as they join us with a cooking demo featuring fresh summer tomatoes. Stop by their demo booth as you shop between 11:00-12:30pm to try out this easy and healthy dish for yourself! 

12:00 PM

Joining us at 12:00pm will be local blues artist Eugene Johnson with his group Eugene & Company. A favorite and regular guest at Beale on Broadway,  you won't want to miss this performance! Check out his story and music at www.eugenejohnson.net

Get Crafty!

Our featured vendor this week is Perennial, a local non-profit social enterprise that specializes in teaching creative re-use and working with under-served populations. With a mission to build a creative culture of sustainability in which discarded items are transformed into valued and cherished resources, they're a perfect fit in Old North! Stop by their booth to purchase your own DIY kits or to participate in a free paper-making demo. Find out more about Perennial at www.perennialstl.org

Central Print, an Old North based non-profit focused on preserving the art of printmaking, will be offering free printmaking demos and take-home prints during the market starting at 11:00am. Be sure to stop in their shop at N 14th & Montgomery to check out their antique equipment and sign up for summer classes and workshops or check out their website at www.centralprint.org.

This Weeks' Vendors:

City Seeds Urban Farm
MK Fruits & Veggies
13th Street Community Garden

Beaucoup Creek Honey
The Veggie Patch
The Burning Kumquat
Momma Knows
Wearable Crochet & More
Perennial

Looking for ways to get even more involved with the North City Farmers' Market?
Consider becoming a volunteer! We could always a hand with set-up and selling produce for our vendors who can't send a representative. It's a great way to get involved in Old North and support our mission of bringing healthy, affordable foods into the neighborhood. Click here to sign-up!