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Ready, Set, for Fall!
by Chris Moore

Some of our NFM vendors grow items that only are only ready during the fall.  For example, one of our returning vendors from last year, Don and Lesa Van Fossen of Midvan Farms, returned to our market two weeks ago to sell their wares.

They grow and sell watermelon, squash (carnival, butternut, buttercup, acorn), mini pumpkins, lots of pie pumpkins, and even gourds.  But they also grow some very cool looking specialty squash including Napesi Long, Long Island Cheese, Majestic, Maria, Cinderella, and Turks Turban. Pictured below is one of the Giant Italian squashes, which is usually purchased by restaurants such as Manna Café.

Midvan Farms is located an hour north of Madison. They will be at the Market for the next couple of weeks.
  

This Week at Artisan's Row...

Vicki Lane - Funky Bracelets (link)
Jean Mani - Soap, lotion, candles (link)
Youa Lor - Handcrafted bags, clothing
Lynette - Hats, scarves, headbands
Elinor Gbedey - Soy candles, t-shirts

Visit the artists' blog for more information (link)  

Market Report for October 11
by Chris Moore

Though late in the season, our Northside Market is running strong. Don't let the chill in the air fool you as we have a full complement of produce from one end of the market to the other. Some of the produce found last week included lettuce, beets, bok choy, radishes (giant!), romaine lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, roma tomatoes, green and yellow peppers and pumpkins. 

One could also find delicata squash (don't even have to take the skin off!), Swiss chard, Jicama (pronounced hicama - see the picture at right), raspberries, egg plant, kale, all kinds of cheeses, farm fresh eggs, bean sprouts, hot peppers, cilantro, basil, dill and those staples of potatoes, onions, and carrots.  Potato soup sure sounds good about now!

Speaking of potatoes, Jimmy Hudson experimented this year with growing sweet potatoes – he brought 3-4 pounders that quickly sold out. Because of the demand he is planning to grow a larger quantity next year.

Last Sunday, during Italian Fest, we had a special treat.  Dancing for us were the Italian Folk Dancers, a group supported by the Italian Workmen's Club and the Italian-American Women's Club, both of Madison. They participate in events that have an Italian theme. Everyone is invited to participate in their practices – for more information see their website (link).

So come pay us a visit next Sunday and remember,
we have free hot coffee!
  

Winter Market Update...

The last market of our outdoor season is Oct 25. Then we move indoors to the former hardware store location in the Northside TownCenter for our Winter Market, to be held from 10:00am-1:00pm on Nov 8, 22, and Dec 6, 20. 

We have 18 vendors confirmed so far! They include Ruegsegger Farms, Capital City Cookies, EarthRise Farms, Polly Jane's Jams, Kayoua Yang, Lor Chang, CC Angus, Nina and Family Garden, Farmer John's Cheese, Jimmy Hudson, Keene Organics, Youa Lor, Salzmann's, Liz Wyman, Myrtle Whilhite, Neng Xiong and Sue Vang, Dolci, and Tomato Mountain.

Questions can be directed to Lisa Wiese, Winter Market Manager.
See our website for contact information.