Celebrate National Farmers Market Week THIS Saturday!  The great news is that the number of farmers markets in the US has grown to more than 7,500 in 2012, an approx. increase of 160% since 2000. There are more than 160 markets in Oregon, which is double the amount from ten years ago….and right here in Oregon City we have 3 of those 160 Markets!  Plus…we’re having fun with the national “Vote for Your Favorite Farmers Market” contest…right now we are #1 in Oregon!!!!! but it’s close…so go here http://action.farmland.org/site/PageServer?pagename=top_5&autologin=true#OR and cast your vote to keep us ahead! Share the link on Facebook too:)

So come out and celebrate YOUR farmers market this Saturday and taste the wonderful bounty this area has to offer. Fix a “local” meal from market products…take a photo and post it on the Market’s Facebook page….inspire the rest of our 1015 Facebook LIKES! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oregon-City-Farmers-Market/89748557692

This Saturday is “Favorite Farmer Day” at the Market! The POP Club Kids are making their very own buttons…and taking them to their fave. farmers……we’ll see who wins at the end of the day! Please take the time to say a thank you to the farmers and their workers for all their hard work !   Let your taste buds celebrate too…….Market Chef Amy is making a BBQ Roasted Veggie Salad (with samples)…9.30am-11am….taste the amazing flavor and sweetness of veggies once the’re roasted and tossed in a salad!

High season means pretty much everything is making an entrance right now… more tomatoes are showing up (with a lot of heirlooms still to come)..we’ll have red, yellow, green, black and white peppers, a few hot ones even. The delicious Padron Peppers as well! Cukes, including pickling ones…(and our friends at Wilco Farm Stores have all the preserving supplies you will need) zukes, beans, beets, potatoes, corn, broccoli, kale, leeks, onions, shallots, cilantro, basil (Pesto anyone..?)…fruits include a few raspberries (more when the next crop comes in…a couple of weeks) Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, nectarines, cherries , the early Gravenstein apples….and  more.

Pick up some pasture-raised meat…fresh fish, farm eggs…and be prepared to BBQ this weekend! Add some hummus and pita, crusty breads , salami and  goats cheese,  preserves and pickles …..lovely appetizers together with a crisp salad. Easy dessert..vanilla ice-cream, Diana’s Delight’s Lemon Curd…and fresh berries…hmmm.

John and Gail will be in their Curds On The Way spot with Cheese, Sourdough and Wine Vinegar kits and supplies…AND they will also feature some special prices on those great WECK canning jars! http://curdsontheway.com/index

Not in the mood to can?..be sure to try a sample of  Pam’s Pickled Products .   Pam & Paul will be there with a unique recipe for Sweetly Pickled Asparagus, complete with Coriander Seed and Crushed Red Pepper.  Their Spicy Bloody Mary Beans are back, as well as the mild Snack & Salad Beans. Plus their Old Fashioned Zucchini Relish … always a hit.

Mickleberry Gardens are back this Saturday with their Honey and  Honey Therapies, which are delicious honey-based herbal syrups. They also offer skin-care products using beeswax, honey, and propolis..all from their Apiary in Troutdale. Back too is Laura with Infinite Serenity Massage! Gone this week is Market Pasta, and Kombucha…back next Saturday.

Looking  to add a color-spot in your garden? Three Brothers Nursery will have yellow crocosmia on special —they will be 2 full pots for $12.00. Gorgeous color at this time of year! And…remember don’t be dull…sharpen your garden tools, knives, and scissors at Sir Sharp-A-Lot  this weekend:)

This just in from Savory et Sweet: Look for Chris to be reshuffling the menu towards cooler foods Saturday. She’s thinking about making a gazpacho of market produce,  (yum) served with La Provence bread and butter. Also available with Oregon Bay Shrimp…. wow! Try this with a glass of King’s Raven Pinot Gris! Menu planning is still in the works and one of Chris’ favorite things is ” last minute planning after seeing what comes to market Saturday morning”. So swing by and see what’s “NOT” cooking at Savory etc Sweet!

Tamales, fresh fruit smoothies, coffee, wine by the glass too….still waiting to hear from Our Little Sweet Cart (organic Ice-cream) ..as they has a mishap on the road last week…fingers crossed!

Live music will be SUPER fun this weekend with the How Long Jug Band…good foot-stomping music! Get to Market early...avoid the heat..but remember more heat means more tomatoes, peppers and corn..yeah  See you all at the Market!