10 local food resolutions for 2018

2018 is just around the corner, and it’s that time of the year again…to make resolutions! Here are 10 easy-to-make resolutions that can not only help you improve your life, but can also have an impact on the local food scene:

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Tags: NewYears | resolutions | farmersmarket |

Winter got you down already? You can still get your farmers market fix

The cold winds and snow this week has sent us all a message that’s loud and clear…winter is here in central Pennsylvania and isn’t going away any time soon.

But that doesn’t mean that farmers market time is over for the season. Far from it. Farmers market fans have several indoor options in our region to get their fix.

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Tags: winter | farmersmarket |

Get ready for Thanksgiving today at the Boalsburg Farmers Market

If you want to get something local (and delicious) to serve on Thanksgiving, today you can head out to the Boalsburg Farmers Market and find a holiday co-star for your table.

A few things the Boalsburg Market recommends include delicious pies from Ardry Farms, Nomad Kitchen’s soups (great starters for your meal!), and Katina Baklava. But, see below for the complete list of what you will find there today. The market is open in the winter months every Tuesday from 2 to 6 p.m. at the St. John’s United Church of Christ on 218 N. Church Street in Boalsburg.

Continue Reading: Get ready for Thanksgiving today at the Boalsburg Farmers Market

Tags: BoalsburgFarmersMarket | Thanksgiving |

Recipe: Roasted Parsnips with Thyme

Parsnips are a highly underrated vegetable. When roasted, they are sweet, a little earthy, and even a bit spicy.

They are also an underrated example of why local food can be better than supermarket food. If you grow parsnips in your garden or buy them this time of year from a local farmer at say a Farmers Market or via Friends and Farmers Coop’s online market, they have a distinct advantage over the supermarket ones. Why? It’s simple…cold weather exposure.

Continue Reading: Recipe: Roasted Parsnips with Thyme

Tags: parsnips | farmersmarket | recipe | thyme |

Five Fantastic Local Food Finds

We have so many great things to eat in these parts that are made with local ingredients. Here’s five that I recommend seeking out and trying:

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Tags: Fivefinds | AltoonaFarmersMarket | VillageEatinghouse | WorldsFare | Ottos | Gigi's |

Saturday farmers markets still going strong into fall

You can certainly measure the seasons by what you see at our local farmers markets. The spring onions, greens, radishes, etc. transition to things like green beans, summer squash, tomatoes, corn, and peppers. And now, we begin the shift to fall produce, like pumpkins, apples, and winter squash.

There is nothing quite like going to a farmers market on a relaxing Saturday. Everyone seems to be in a good mood, there’s always something new to find, and you just can’t beat local food.

Here’s a list of local Saturday markets…maybe there’s one on this list you’ve never been to before?:

Continue Reading: Saturday farmers markets still going strong into fall

Tags: farmersmarket | saturday |

How to help the Texas local food community recover from Harvey

Hurricane Harvey will go down in history as one of the worst natural disasters ever to hit the United States. By now you’ve seen the images of flooded homes, of people with what possessions they can save on boats looking for shelter, and of highways under 15 feet of water.

While the human cost is great, much of it has been focused on urban areas. Meanwhile, farmers in southeast Texas and Louisiana have suffered greatly and can use our help.

Continue Reading: How to help the Texas local food community recover from Harvey

Tags: Hurricane | aid | farmers |

Friends & Farmers Announces “Plow to Plate–A Harvest Dinner” Aug. 23

Enjoy local food, wine and the company of your neighbors at the 2017 Plow to Plate Harvest Dinner sponsored by Friends & Farmers Cooperative and Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery. Proceeds will benefit the Friends & Farmers Co-op Online Market. The event will be held at Mount Nittany Vineyard in Centre Hall from 5:00 to 8:30 pm on Wednesday, Aug. 23.

Continue Reading: Friends & Farmers Announces “Plow to Plate–A Harvest Dinner” Aug. 23

Tags: plowtoplate | friends&farmers |

Five local food items for your Memorial Day Weekend cookout table

Memorial Day is the kickoff for summer, and many of us will be hosting or attending cookouts. Our local food bounty deserves a place at your cookout table, and here’s five items you can find at our regional Friday and Saturday farmers markets. Seek them out, and support your local food community.

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Tags: MemorialDay | farmersmarkets | grilling |

Friends & Farmers Coop holds Souper Sunday Soup Swap

Love soup? Love making soup? Then here’s the event for you.

Friends & Farmers Cooperative will hold its Souper Sunday Soup Swap at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26 at the Meetinghouse on Atherton in State College. A shared meal will be provided by Tap Root Kitchen.

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Tags: FriendsandFarmers | soup |

Local Food Notes for Jan. 20

This week, coupons for State College Farmers Market, Tait Farms Sample Saturdays return, and Elk Creek Cafe serves up local food and blues Saturday night.

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Tags: ElkCreek | LocalFoodNotes | TaitFarm | FarmersMarket |

Local Food Notes for Jan. 13

This week, we have registration info for the Farming for the Future Conference, where to find indoor farmers markets in the dead of winter, and how to give back to your community.

Continue Reading: Local Food Notes for Jan. 13

Tags: LocalFoodnotes | farmersmarket | PASA |

Local cooking expert to teach NHS students how to make healthy snacks

LaCreta Holland, owner of Happy Valley Learn to Cook and Local Food Journey contributor, is offering her cooking skills and expertise to teach students from the State College NHS school how to cook healthy and tasty after-school/weekend snacks.

The NHS School provides educational programming for autistic students. They are partners with Penguin Packs, a weekend food backpack program started via a partnership between the State College Food Bank and the Faith United Church of Christ.

Continue Reading: Local cooking expert to teach NHS students how to make healthy snacks

Tags: BoalsburgFarmersMarket |

Local Food Notes for Nov. 11

First off, Happy Veteran’s Day, and thank you to all who serve or have served in our nation’s armed forces. Here’s Local Food Notes for this week:

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Tags: localfoodnotes | autumn | TaitFarm | farmersmarket |

Be a high-information voter in the 2016 Friends and Farmers Board Elections

In lieu of our usual weekly local food notes, we figured we would give you some election news (no, not that other election). On Saturday, Friends and Farmers Coop members can vote in person at the Annual Member Meeting, held at the State College Friends School from 4:00-6:30 p.m. All voting will end on Saturday, November 5th at 5:00 p.m. Board candidates will be announced at the Annual Meeting. 

It’s always better to know who your candidates are so you can make an educated choice, and Friends and Farmers have made that easy for you.

Continue Reading: Be a high-information voter in the 2016 Friends and Farmers Board Elections

Tags: FriendsandFarmers |

Revival Kitchen lives up to the hype and takes the Golden Basket Award

Over the past year or so, I’ve noticed a steady building of buzz about a restaurant down in the Amish country of Reedsville. Revival Kitchen, a farm-to-table spot over the ridge down 322 from State College, has steadily built a reputation as a go-to location for excellent, creative food made from local ingredients.

And all that growing chit-chat about a small restaurant that is a must-try was backed up at yesterday’s Golden Basket Awards, as first-timer Quintin Wicks of Revival Kitchen took the top prize at the event held at the Boalsburg Farmers Market. As a four-time judge of this six-year-old showcase of both local food and local chefs, I can attest that his win was during one of the toughest years for judging this contest, as all of the dishes were first-rate.

Continue Reading: Revival Kitchen lives up to the hype and takes the Golden Basket Award

Tags: GoldenBasketAwards | BoalsburgFarmersMarket |

6th Annual Golden Basket Chef Competition at Boalsburg Farmers’ Market

Local chefs from Central Pennsylvania’s finest dining establishments will compete for the Boalsburg Farmers Market Sixth Annual Golden Basket Award on Tuesday, Aug. 2 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. This event is held by the Boalsburg Farmers’ Market and is part of PASA’s (Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture) “Local Foods Week.” The event features chefs preparing several dishes from ingredients produced by Boalsburg Farmers’ Market vendors. 

The chefs gather their ingredients at the market, then prepare their plates for submission to the judges in front of market guests. The chefs have only 45 minutes to assemble the dishes. After the judges have tasted and scored all of the chef’s offerings, an awards ceremony is held to announce the new Golden Basket winner. While the chefs are preparing, market-goers can watch them work and enjoy free samples.

Continue Reading: 6th Annual Golden Basket Chef Competition at Boalsburg Farmers’ Market

Tags: GoldenBasketAwards | BoalsburgFarmersMarket |

Friends & Farmers Cooperative finds out how the cheese is made

You might love cheese, but do you know how it’s made? Ever wonder how the process goes that changes milk into delicious cheese, and how that process is done safely?

Our local food pals over at Friends & Farmers Cooperative recently visited Clover Creek Cheese Cellar LLC down in Morrison’s Cove region of Blair County, and posted a photo essay that gives you a behind-the-scenes peek of the cheese making process from cow to counter.

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Tags: Friends&FarmersCoop | cheese | CloverCreek |

Six must-have local food items for your Memorial Day table

What a time to be a locavore. The farmers market season is now in full swing and we have the unofficial official start of summer, Memorial Day, coming up. There’s so many things that are grown and produced locally that this list could go on and on, but here’s six items that definitely deserve a place on your Memorial Day table. All of these can be found at farmers markets such as Bellefonte Farmers Market, Friday Downtown State College Farmers Market, North Atherton Farmers Market, and the Millheim Farmers Market.

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Tags: farmersmarket | picnic | MemorialDay |

Friends & Farmers Cooperative Online Market to host Bike Delivery Day on May 24

Friends & Farmers Cooperative is getting into the spirit of Centre Region’s May Bike Month by offering bike delivery services for some of its Online Market orders on Tuesday, May 24. (See attached flyer)

The Online Market is open noon Fridays to noon Mondays. This week, downtown customers and businesses can opt for bike delivery by adding “Deliver by Bike Please” in the comment section of their order.

Continue Reading: Friends & Farmers Cooperative Online Market to host Bike Delivery Day on May 24

Tags: Friends&FarmersCoop | bicycling | BikeMonth |

The Who, What, When, Where: Festa-Nic Central Pa Culinary Showcase

By Melanie Phillips, Village Eatinghouse Artisan Foods

It’s the WHY…that makes Festa-Nic special.

Central Pennsylvania has an abundance of large and small specialty food and beverage manufacturers making high quality consumer goods that help to fuel our local economy and support our families and our communities. Friends & Farmers Co-op is our non-profit fundraiser partner and they are helping to fuel the excitement and participation in Festa-Nic.   

Continue Reading: The Who, What, When, Where: Festa-Nic Central Pa Culinary Showcase

Tags: Festa-Nic | event | Friends&FarmersCoop | VillageEatinghouse |

Altoona’s Night Market tonight will celebrate local food with three farmers markets in one

Tonight, Altoona will throw quite a celebration of local food.

From 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the Altoona Downtown Night Market will be held on 11th Avenue between 12th and 15th Street. The Night Market will feature three farmers markets, food and other vendors, and live entertainment including a “Kids Zone.”

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Tags: Altoona | farmersmarket | event |

Farmers Market Preview: Tuesday State College and Boalsburg Farmers Market

While there are several farmers markets in this area that run year-round, the first day of outdoor farmers market season is always a reason for celebration. While the first few market sessions may be on the chilly side, it’s the promise of warmer days ahead and the great produce it brings that is a big reason for optimism. Two markets kick off their outdoor season today, the Tuesday Downtown State College one, and the Boalsburg version.

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Tags: farmersmarket | boalsburg | statecollege |

What does Penn State Ag Extension do?

As you likely have heard by now, Penn State President Eric Barron told university trustees at the regular meeting last Friday in Hershey that 1,100 agricultural extension employees face potential layoffs if the current Pennsylvania budget fight isn’t resolved. Along with being a tremendous source of stress for those employees, these layoffs would be a blow to Pennsylvania’s agricultural industry.

While you are of course a fan of local food, you may not be aware of exactly what a university extension office does, and why they are important. They offer a variety of services for not just farmers, but for the entire state since a lot of the food you eat is grown, raised, and/or produced in Pennsylvania. These services range from food safety to business support for small farmers to sharing research on health, gardening, and improving our food system with the public.

So, the Penn State Extension is an important part in not just farmers’ lives, but all of our lives. Here are some examples:

Continue Reading: What does Penn State Ag Extension do?

Tags: extension | farmers | PennState |

Boalsburg Farmers Market now accepts SNAP benefits

The Boalsburg Farmers’ Market is proud to announce that SNAP EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are now accepted at this local year-round market.

This program allows SNAP customers to get fresh local fruits and vegetables along with baked goods, eggs, plants that produce edible foods, honey, meat and more.  It is an all around win for the market, consumers, and farmers.

“We will be the first farmer’s market in Centre County to accept SNAP benefits, but we don’t want to be the last. We are hoping that our program will serve as a successful pilot for other area markets. The goal is that everyone in our community will have equal access to healthy, local foods”, says Sarah Potter, who works with the market to do programming and outreach.

Continue Reading: Boalsburg Farmers Market now accepts SNAP benefits

Tags: Boalsburgfarmersmarket | SNAP |

State College winter farmers market an oasis from winter chill and gloom

Editor’s note: This is the first piece by our new Local Food Journey intern, Alexandrea Scott, a Penn State communications major.

If you’re the type of person who prefers fresh grown vegetables, homemade jam, organic beauty products, or in the mood for some Alaskan salmon, this is the place for you. The Winter Farmers Market, in downtown State College, takes place every Friday at the State College Municipal Building, located on 243 Allen St. It starts at 11:30 a.m. and goes all day till 5:00 p.m.

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Tags: winter | farmersmarket |

Let root vegetables win you over by roasting them

Well, winter just reminded us this week who’s boss, as we had our first snow (record latest first snow) and bitter chill to go with it. Believe it or not, even in the depths of winter, you can still find local produce, especially root vegetables.

Root vegetables get sort of a bad rap, because many people have a memory of boiled canned beets being forced on them by a well-meaning mother. However, roasted root vegetables are on a different level.

Where to find local root vegetables? Indoor markets like Boalsburg, Millheim, and State College have vendors who sell root vegetables this time of year (they tend to be easy to store). Another good source is the Friends & Farmers online market, which carries a variety of root vegetables by local farmers such as Tait Farm and Jade Family Farm.

Once you acquire them, roasting them is fairly simple. Here’s a recipe that is easy to put together and really brings out the best quality of roasted root vegetables: The sweetness!

Continue Reading: Let root vegetables win you over by roasting them

Tags: wintervegetables | recipe | FriendsandFarmers | farmersmarket |

Local Food Notes for Jan. 8

Happy New Year! This week Local Food Notes highlights the Farm Show, indoor farmers markets, how to get Healthy Harvest Farm shares by working the Earth, and PASA’s Farming for the Future Conference.

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Tags: LocalFoodNotes | FarmShow | farmersmarket | HealthyHarvestFarm | PASA |

Outdoor farmers markets winding down, indoor markets starting

Farmers Markets are winding down to a degree over the next few weeks. While outdoor markets will soon go away until next spring, there are several indoor options to get your local food market fix over the winter. Here’s a rundown of our local markets, when the outdoor ones are closing, and which are having indoor winter markets:

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Tags: Fall | farmersmarket | indoormarket |

Local Food Notes for Oct. 30

This week we offer a way to eat well and help Friends & Farmers, celebrate 13 years of zany Austrian food experiences at Herwig’s, and how you gardeners can save big at Tait Farm.

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Tags: TaitFarm | LocalFOodNotes | Friends&Farmers | gardening |

Future is bright for Friends & Farmers Cooperative

On Oct. 16, Friends & Farmers Cooperative had a strong turnout for their second annual membership meeting. While this was great news for Friends & Farmers’ board, the bigger picture is even brighter for the local cooperative, which is still working towards a goal of local food grocery store in the State College area.

For starters, Friends & Farmers received a $93,000 grant for its online market from the United States Department of Agriculture. “The grant will help increase the market share and visibility of local food,” Michele Marchetti, Friends & Farmers board member, said. “Basically, it’s going to support three activities.”

Continue Reading: Future is bright for Friends & Farmers Cooperative

Tags: Friends&Farmers |

Friends & Farmers Cooperative to hold 2015 Membership Meeting on Oct. 16

Are you a local foodie who would love it if there was a grocery store in Central Pennsylvania for local products? Then here’s some good news from the Friends & Farmers Cooperative about the perfect event for you, happening this week.:

All are welcome at Friends & Farmers Cooperative’s 2015 Membership Meeting on Friday, Oct. 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County. Enjoy local food samplings, kids activities from The Makery, silent auction and raffle give-aways, and an exciting update on Friends & Farmers’ progress toward opening a member-owned grocery store with a focus on local products. RSVP for the meeting here.

Continue Reading: Friends & Farmers Cooperative to hold 2015 Membership Meeting on Oct. 16

Tags: friends&farmers | membershipmeeting |

Friends & Farmers Cooperative Online Market recieves major USDA grant

The United States Department of Agriculture announced that the Friends & Farmers Cooperative Online Market received a $92,000 USDA grant to increase local food consumption and production in Centre County.

Friends & Farmers Cooperative plays a vital and growing role in the burgeoning local food movement. In one year, its retail Online Market has sold more than $70,000 worth of locally grown and produced food. The Online Market is a stepping stone to the co-op’s planned brick and mortar store. Owned and financed by the community, this store will source as much as possible from farmers within 50 miles of State College.

Continue Reading: Friends & Farmers Cooperative Online Market recieves major USDA grant

Tags: friends&farmers | USDA | onlinebuying | grant |

Five great fall farmers market items

We are in the home stretch of the outdoor farmers market season. Soon, the cold winds and snow will make Central Pennsylvania more a place for skiers and snowmobilers than outdoor farmers market browsers. But, for many area markets, we still have about a month or so to go, and you can still find some great local food among the falling leaves and autumn chill. Here’s five examples:

Continue Reading: Five great fall farmers market items

Tags: Fall | farmersmarket |

Brazilian Munchies is the result of an international love story

Anna Lombardo contributed to this story

Back on Christmas Day 2012, Flavia Barger came to America from Brazil to join her American husband. While it’s quite a good love story, Flavia becoming a resident of the U.S. was also a great thing for local foodies.

Flavia runs Brazilian Munchies, a local food business that specializes in, of course, Brazilian food. You likely have seen them at farmers markets such as the Boalsburg Farmers Market, Lemont Farmers Market, Susquehanna Valley Growers’ Market in Lewisburg, and the Millheim Farmers Market, or at any of a number of local events. If you haven’t tried their food, then you’re definitely missing out on some good eats, especially their main specialty, a cheese bread called Pao de Queijo. “It’s naturally gluten-free, made with manioc starch. Manioc is a root we grow in Brazil,” Flavia said. “I didn’t find manioc starch around here. We can find similar products, tapioca flour, cassava flour, but not the real manioc starch. So I buy online from a company in Florida that imports from Brazil and re-sells to me.”

Continue Reading: Brazilian Munchies is the result of an international love story

Tags: BrazillianMunchies | farmersmarket |

Plow to Plate Dinner to be held Aug. 26

The Boalsburg Farmers’ Market and Mt. Nittany Winery present the fourth annual “Plow to Plate”. This local foods dinner is an evening to celebrate food, farmers, and community. There will be a variety of dishes prepared by our area’s best chefs from fresh ingredients obtained at the Boalsburg Farmers Market. Zola’s, Gigi’s and Webster’s chefs will all be there. Wednesday, August 26th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Mt. Nittany Winery, 300 Houser Rd, Centre Hall, PA 16828. The cost for the dinner is $25 per ticket, with kids under 12 are free. Tickets are available at the Boalsburg Farmers Market and Webster’s Bookstore and Cafe.
For questions or further information, contact Sarah Potter at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Continue Reading: Plow to Plate Dinner to be held Aug. 26

Tags: PlowtoPlate | BoalsburgFarmersMarket |

Golden Basket Awards showcases our amazing local food scene

Last week at this time, I was one of several judges at the Boalsburg Farmers Market’s annual Golden Basket Awards. Among the chefs competing included Jeremiah McClanahan of Fasta & Ravioli Co.; Mike Benjamin of Benjamin’s Catering; last year’s champ, Kirsch McMaster of the Nittany Lion Inn; Andrew Hufnagel of Zola Kitchen & Wine Bar; a new-to-the-area chef, Erin Snyder, Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks; and an established innovator in cuisine made with local ingredients, Harrison Schailey from Harrison’s Wine Grill & Catering.

I know, tough job, trying all this amazing food made by talented chefs, using the freshest of local ingredients. We chose Chef Harrison as the overall winner, he made us a remarkable grilled filet of beef, with au gratin potatoes from Clan Stewart farm and a fantastic arugula and fresh corn salad. He also made his famous gazpacho; if you’ve never had it, I recommend getting it at your next visit to his restaurant.

Continue Reading: Golden Basket Awards showcases our amazing local food scene

Tags: GoldenBasket | BoalsburgFarmersMarket |

Local chefs + local food = amazing flavors at this year’s Golden Basket Awards

The fifth annual Golden Basket Awards will be held today, August 4, at the Boalsburg Farmers Market. The cooking will start at around 2:15 p.m. and the awards will be given out at around 4:30 p.m.

As always, the chefs will use ingredients found in the market. The event is designed to show off our local culinary creativity, and to inspire the local community to use local ingredients to create their own kitchen masterpieces. To help with the inspiration, there will be a limited supply of samples for market attendees to try.

The chefs competing the event include, in order of when they will start cooking:

Continue Reading: Local chefs + local food = amazing flavors at this year’s Golden Basket Awards

Tags: GoldenBasket | BoalsburgFarmersMarket |

Local Chefs Compete for Boalsburg Farmers Market’s 5th Annual Golden Basket Awards

Six local chefs from Central Pennsylvania’s finest dining establishments will compete for the Boalsburg Farmers Market Fifth Annual Golden Basket Award on Tuesday, Aug. 4.  This event is held by the Boalsburg Farmers Market and is part of PASA’s (Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture) “Local Foods Week”. The event features chefs preparing a main dish and two sides from ingredients produced by Boalsburg Farmers Market vendors. 

The chefs gather their ingredients at the market, then prepare their plates for submission to the judges in front of market guests. The chefs have only 45 minutes to assemble the dishes. After the judges have tasted and scored all of the chef’s offerings, an awards ceremony is held to announce the new Golden Basket winner.

Continue Reading: Local Chefs Compete for Boalsburg Farmers Market’s 5th Annual Golden Basket Awards

Tags: GoldenBasket | BoalsburgFarmersMarket |

Lemont Farmers Market offers local food variety in picturesque, friendly setting

One of the more scenic and interesting communities in Central Pennsylvania is the quaint town of Lemont. Artsy, friendly, historic, and filled with beautiful old houses, it stands to reason that they would have a farmers market. It just makes sense.

The Lemont Farmers Market is a relatively new market in our area, and it’s also one of the most picturesque ones. The market was founded in 2012 by the Lemont Village Association and is located at the John I. Thompson Grain Elevator and Coal Sheds, known to most in the area simply as The Granary. Built in 1885, The Granary was originally constructed for storing grain and for a place for trains to deposit coal. Today, the coal shed part of The Granary makes for a unique and beautiful location for a farmers market. “We have such a perfect site for a farmers market,” said Susan Smith, chair of Lemont Village Association board.

Continue Reading: Lemont Farmers Market offers local food variety in picturesque, friendly setting

Tags: LemontFarmersMarket |

One great local food weekend on the way

With the weather looking downright summery and generally sunny, this weekend looks to be a great time to get out and about to sample some of the best local food in our area. Here are some ideas:

Continue Reading: One great local food weekend on the way

Tags: weekend | farmersmarket |

Local food notes for April 24

Farmers markets are opening (despite the chill), Mt. Nittany Winery’s 25th Anniversary Dinner, Wine trail, learn how to grow herbs at Tait Farms, and Friends & Farmers looking for delivery drivers. Read on to learn more:

Continue Reading: Local food notes for April 24

Tags: LocalFoodNotes | farmersmarket | herbs | gardening | friends&farmers |

A visit to the farmers of Groundwork Farms CSA

On April 2, a day that promised spring with mild breezes after a late-season snow, I visited two eastern Centre County farms at the invite of Nell Hanssen, the coordinator of Groundwork Farms CSA. The farms were Spring Bank Acres and Shady Locust Produce, both located in the beautiful countryside around Mlllheim, Aaronsburg, and Rebersburg.

First, a bit about Groundwork Farms CSA. The CSA offers food from the Penns Creek Watershed region to individuals, restaurants, and grocery stores in Centre and Union Counties. Originally limited to produce, the CSA now offers vegetables, berries, herbs, bread, flowers, dairy products, eggs, and meats. Even in the winter, CSA buyers can receive dairy products, bread, eggs, winter soups, and in-season produce. There are also opportunities to buy local fruit, flour, mushrooms, canned goods, and honey. Really, they offer a complete package of local food.

Among the local food producers in the CSA are Shady Locust Produce, King Family Farm, Halflinger Farm, Crystal Hollow Farm, and Spring Bank Acres. The two farms I visited, Spring Bank Acres and Shady Locust Produce, are Amish-run.

Continue Reading: A visit to the farmers of Groundwork Farms CSA

Tags: Groundworks | CSA | farmers |

Opening of outdoor farmers market season nears

While you can find indoor versions of the State College, Millheim, and Boalsburg Farmers Market still going strong, the mild-ish weather recently has many people pining for the warm season and one big part of the friendly-weather months are farmers markets. Believe it or not, we are mere weeks away from the openings of our selection of farmers markets.

For those of you who want to mark your calendar, here’s a handy list of the markets that have announced their openings:

Continue Reading: Opening of outdoor farmers market season nears

Tags: farmersmarket | opening | summer | spring |

Spring farmers market frittata

Spring is here! (Sort of) While the weather has been chilly and even occasionally snowy, consistent mild weather will be here soon enough. While we are still over a month away from outdoor farmers market season, the indoor farmers markets in State College, Millheim, and Boalsburg are still operating. In fact, some signs of spring such as early season greens are starting to show up, including perhaps the ultimate spring green, spinach.

This recipe pairs spinach with other items you might find at a farmers market this time of year. Frittatas are an easy meal to make and are delicious for any meal, especially a weekend brunch. This frittata combines ham, smoked gouda, and spinach to make for a tasty and quick meal.

Continue Reading: Spring farmers market frittata

Tags: recipe | farmersmarket | eggs | cheese | spinach |

Friends & Farmers Cooperative now offering local food delivery via online market

Friends & Farmers Cooperative, which is working to open a member-owned cooperative store that will specialize in local, sustainably-produced products, began home-delivery service for its Online Market on March 17. Customers in zip codes 16801 and 16803 (State College), 16851 (Lemont), 16827 (Boalsburg) and 16868 (Pine Grove Mills) can pay $5 to have fresh, locally grown and produced food delivered to their doorsteps.

Friends & Farmers opened the Online Market in November, offering consumers an easy way to purchase items from some of the same local producers participating in central Pennsylvania farmers markets. Launched as a stepping stone to opening a brick and mortar store, the Online Market offers tangible progress toward the Friends & Farmers mission: to support and grow the local food economy, while offering consumers convenient, nutritious and delicious locally grown and produced food.

Continue Reading: Friends & Farmers Cooperative now offering local food delivery via online market

Tags: Friends&Farmers | delivery |

Local Food Notes for February 20

Even with some of the coldest weather ever recorded in Centre County, there are still things happening in the local food world in central PA. While temperatures are subzero, there are some items below that might warm you with spring thoughts, so keep reading…

Continue Reading: Local Food Notes for February 20

Tags: LocalFoodNotes | CSA | FarmersMarket | PhillyFarmandFoodFest |

Warming greek-style pasta bake uses Boalsburg Farmers Market ingredients

Farmers market season never really ends in Central Pennsylvania, it just shifts to a different season. The Millheim Farmers Market, Boalsburg Farmers Market, and the State College Farmers Market are all open until the opening of the “regular” summer farmers market hours.

They are, of course, all indoor, so you won’t have to worry about braving snow and bitter winds. Like in the spring and summer, I find it definitely a good idea to plan out your trip and perhaps look for ingredients for a specific recipe.

This particular recipe is for a tasty Greek-style pasta bake that is quite good with some Gemelli Bakers bread on a cold night. This recipe includes ingredients from Boalsburg Farmers Market vendors.

Continue Reading: Warming greek-style pasta bake uses Boalsburg Farmers Market ingredients

Tags: recipe | farmersmarket | pasta |

Local Food Notes for January 30

Sick of winter yet? Well, we DO live in Central Pennsylvania, where the winters are not exactly mild, but it seems like the last two weeks have been about as rough as it can be around here. Still, the local food community is active, and here’s a few things that are going on:

- The 24th Annual PASA Farming for the Future Conference will be held at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in University Park on Feb. 3-7. The event is a great way for those involved in local food to learn more about the latest innovations in sustainable agriculture, while celebrating the past year and looking to the future. For more information including registration, please go here.

Continue Reading: Local Food Notes for January 30

Tags: PASA | annualconference | event | TaitFarm | Friends&Farmers |

Head to Boalsburg Farmers Market today for holiday recipe ingredients

For your holiday dinners, it’s always good to try to serve local food. While it’s cold and gloomy and eating local produce is a lot harder to do than when it’s sunny and summery, but the Boalsburg Farmers Market is open today from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and has some local produce options.

Melanie Rosenberger of the Boalsburg Farmers Market has shared with us two delicious side recipes to complement whatever holiday main dish you decide to make.

Continue Reading: Head to Boalsburg Farmers Market today for holiday recipe ingredients

Tags: holiday | squash | kale | recipe | apple | cabbage | BoalsburgFarmersMarket |

Lots of smells, tastes, and sights to behold at the State College Indoor Farmers Market

When I opened the doors to the State College Municipal Building last Friday, it was a cold, clammy day. I hadn’t seen the sun in what felt like weeks. And yet, as I entered the building and made my first trip to the State College Winter Farmers’ Market, I felt that familiar coziness (perhaps a mixture of good food, electric heat, and pre-holiday cheer?) come over me. It was the indoor market’s first gathering of the season.

Continue Reading: Lots of smells, tastes, and sights to behold at the State College Indoor Farmers Market

Tags: farmersmarket | winter |

Yes, believe it or not, there are still local veggies/fruits ‘in season’

With winter in full swing across the area, it may come as a surprise to many that there are still vegetables and fruits that are “in season” and available via both CSA’s and local farmers markets. Here are some examples of vegetables that are available either due to being able to store them well or because they can be grown in greenhouses:

Continue Reading: Yes, believe it or not, there are still local veggies/fruits ‘in season’

Tags: farmersmarket | winter | rootvegetables | brassicas | apples |

Five local food additions to your Thanksgiving table

It’s likely a bit too late to get a local turkey if you already haven’t, but there are a lot of local food items that you can add to your Thanksgiving table. You still have time to head out and pick them out (although based on the weather forecast might want to do it before Wednesday).

Here are five fine additions to your Thanksgiving table from local food producers:

Continue Reading: Five local food additions to your Thanksgiving table

Tags: Thanksgiving | gluten-free | wine | beverage | bread | BoalsburgFarmersMarket |

Final day of the season for two popular farmers market

If the brutal cold this week hasn’t got its point across that winter is more or less here, the fact that two outdoor farmers markets having their final day today and tomorrow is the final bit of proof. Soon our stone-faced friend in the picture above will get his winter coat of snow.

Today, the outdoor Downtown State College Farmers Market on Locust Lane closes the season on a chilly note. That market runs today from 11:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Then tomorrow, the Bellefonte Farmers Market will be open from 8:00 a.m. to noon.

Continue Reading: Final day of the season for two popular farmers market

Tags: farmersmarket | winter |

Friends & Farmers to hold inaugural membership meeting Oct. 11

Friends & Farmers Cooperative, which is opening a member-owned grocery store that will specialize in local, sustainably-produced products, is holding its inaugural membership meeting this Saturday, Oct. 11, at the State College High School South cafeteria at 2:00 p.m.

The co-op, nearly 300 members strong, will elect a permanent board of directors; hear an update on its progress and future plans, including the upcoming launch of the Friends & Farmers online farmers market; and answer members’ questions.

Continue Reading: Friends & Farmers to hold inaugural membership meeting Oct. 11

Tags: FriendsandFarmers |

Friends & Farmers Co-op to Launch Online Marketplace

At the Sept. 3 Friends & Farmers board meeting, the directors reviewed the results of the recent survey and the information gathered by the online market task group, and unanimously voted to launch Friends & Farmers Online as a stepping stone to a brick and mortar store. The task group will determine the operating details and report on progress to the Board monthly, and is authorized to spend up to $6,000 to establish and operate the market for one year. In October 2015 the board will then evaluate the project and determine next steps. The Friends & Farmers Online task group is open to board members, co-op members, and producers; if you’re interested in joining the group to help launch the market, please contact Jim Eisenstein at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). In the near future, we will have more about this on Local Food Journey so stay tuned…

Continue Reading: Friends & Farmers Co-op to Launch Online Marketplace

Tags: FriendsandFarmers |

Boalsburg Farmers Market to Sponsor Its Third Annual “Plow to Plate” Harvest Dinner on Sept. 10

Fall in Central Pennsylvania brings the bounty, beauty, and variety of the late summer and fall harvest. To celebrate it, the Boalsburg Farmers Market in cooperation with the Mount Nittany Winery is sponsoring its “Plow to Plate Harvest Dinner” featuring the vegetables and fruits that ripen as the last of summer’s crops are replaced by those that thrive in the fall. Some of the best chefs in Happy Valley will prepare main dishes from sustainably produced local meat and poultry, soups and side dishes from tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, okra, garlic, onions, melons, acorn and butternut squash, pumpkins, kale, spinach, lettuce, fall greens, and apples. Guests will also enjoy a variety of wonderful deserts.

Continue Reading: Boalsburg Farmers Market to Sponsor Its Third Annual “Plow to Plate” Harvest Dinner on Sept. 10

Tags: PlowtoPlate | BoalsburgFarmersMarket |

Local Food Notes, Aug. 29

- First off, we’d like to offer our best wishes for a swift recovery to a Rising Spring Meat Company employee named Billy, who was seriously injured on the job this past Wednesday. You can read more about it below, and you can offer good thoughts and best wishes below at the company’s Facebook page. They posted the following on that page:

“So, our jobs are dangerous. There is a careful line of respect and awe one has to have working around large animals. Even with the most caution, things can still happen - like they did yesterday. One of our guys (actually our very first employee) was seriously injured on the job yesterday. It looks like everything is going to be OK, but it was a tough tough day for the whole crew and as you can imagine, we have been very distracted by this. As we were thinking what this means for the team in the coming weeks while he heals, we realized that there is a whole community of people out there following us and that maybe if we posted this you could send some get well messages for him (Billy) and maybe it could help lift his spirits. He is one of the guys, very much behind the scenes, who is responsible for bringing food to your plates - so even if you don’t know him - he’s probably helped to feed your family! Please help us in wishing Billy well in his recovery!!”

Continue Reading: Local Food Notes, Aug. 29

Tags: LocalFoodNotes | farmersmarket | TaitFarms | Crickfest |

Local Food Notes, August 22

Downtown State College Farmers Market moves for one week only: As you may have noticed, Penn State students are moving back in. This means the Downtown State College Friday Farmers Market will move to Heister Stree, one block east of Locust Lane, for this week only.

Continue Reading: Local Food Notes, August 22

Tags: farmersmarket | TaitFarm |

Nine Local Chefs to Compete for Boalsburg Farmers Market Golden Basket Award

Nine of the best local chefs from Central Pennsylvania’s finest restaurants will compete for the Boalsburg Farmers Market Fourth Annual Golden Basket Award on Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Part of Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA)‘s “Local Foods Week,” the event will feature the chefs preparing a main dish and two sides from ingredients produced by Boalsburg Farmers Market vendors.

This will be the largest judged competition among chefs in the State College Area, and it has been described “as the culinary Olympics of Centre County.” The chefs will gather their ingredients at the start of market, then prepare their plates for submission to the judges in front of market guests.

Continue Reading: Nine Local Chefs to Compete for Boalsburg Farmers Market Golden Basket Award

Tags: GoldenBasketAward | LocalFoodsWeek | BoalsburgFarmersMarket |

‘Vegetable Festable’ Event July 15 (tomorrow) at the Boalsburg Farmers Market

Just about everybody knows the health benefits of eating fresh, local vegetables and fruits.  But actually eating them is another matter. Often the reason for this is not knowing how to prepare them in creative and easy ways.  To remedy this, The Boalsburg Farmers Market is sponsoring a “Vegetable Festable” on Tuesday, July 15 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Boalsburg Farmers Market, located at the Pennsylvania Military Museum on Bus. Route 322 in Boalsburg. The event is designed to demonstrate how to use the fresh vegetables and fruits available at our local farmers markets and to inspire creative cooking at home.

Continue Reading: ‘Vegetable Festable’ Event July 15 (tomorrow) at the Boalsburg Farmers Market

Tags: BoalsburgFarmersMarket | VegetableFestable |

Learning Kitchen at the Boalsburg Farmers Market June 24

Three local chefs will demonstrate how to prepare dishes using fresh ingredients obtained at the Boalsburg Farmers Market on Tuesday, June 24. Mark Johnson, chef at Zola New World Bistro is sharing a pork rillettes recipe whose ingredients can be obtained at the market and that’s easy to replicate. He’s also demystifying pesto making using the wonderful seasonal herbs and produce available. Sc’Eric Horner (Fuji & Jade Garden restaurant) & Chris Young (Happy Valley Brewing) will demonstrate making “Cocktails from the Garden” using garden-fresh and local ingredients to create exciting summer drinks. The demonstrations begin at 2:00 p.m. at the market, which is located on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Military Museum on Bus. Route 322 (South Atherton Street) in Boalsburg.

Continue Reading: Learning Kitchen at the Boalsburg Farmers Market June 24

Tags: LearningKitchen | BoalsburgFarmersMarket |

Kids Day Learning Kitchen at Boalsburg Farmers Market June 10

Students from Corl Street Elementary school have been invited to attend a cooking demonstration at the Boalsburg Farmers Market on Tuesday, June 10. The highlight of the event will be a “learning kitchen” cooking class conducted by Tony Sapia of Gemelli Bakers that will show children how to make simple dishes using ingredients obtained from the market. He will be assisted by noted local food writer and chef Anne Quinn Corr and her students from Penn State’s nutrition program. After the demonstration, the vendors at the market will answer questions from the children about how they grow and make the products sold at the market, and Corl street students will be able to use a voucher worth $5 to purchase items themselves.

Continue Reading: Kids Day Learning Kitchen at Boalsburg Farmers Market June 10

Tags: BoalsburgFarmersMarket | KidsDay | cookingdemonstration |

Unpaid Field Hand travels to Mexico and samples their local food scene

While most of you were able to enjoy winter in February, my wife and I had to go to Mexico for three weeks. I knew we would miss experiencing the well below zero temperatures that promised to devastate our stink bugs population. I also wondered how much I would miss the fresh organic food available here. 

But when we arrived in San Jose del Cabo near the tip of Baja California, I was delighted to find the organic food movement thriving. We were able to walk from our motel in the city’s arts district to an organic farmers market, chock full of vendors selling fresh organic vegetables, meat, and eggs. Almost everything you can find at the Boalsburg Farmers Market in mid-summer was available and all of it organic.

Continue Reading: Unpaid Field Hand travels to Mexico and samples their local food scene

Tags: UnpaidFieldHand | Mexico | farmersmarket |

Your Local Food Weekend for May 3-4

This is a really exciting time to be a local foodie, as the warm season is finally here (even though most mornings we still need a jacket). Because this is the time of farmers markets, outdoor festivals, etc. we are bringing back the Local Food Weekend feature. Each Friday we help you plan your weekend by highlighting some of the local-food related events going on Saturday and Sunday.

Our first event is put on by one of our hubs of local food, Tait Farm, which is holding their Gardener’s Open House. Click the link below after “Continue Reading” to find out more about that event and others…

Continue Reading: Your Local Food Weekend for May 3-4

Tags: LocalFoodWeekend | TaitFarm | nativeplants | gardening | farmersmarkets |

You have until May 2 to get great benefits by becoming a Founding Member of Friends & Farmers Co-op

Friends and Farmers Cooperative is nearing their goal of 200 Founding Members by Thursday, May 2, but they still need your help if you already haven’t signed up. Please note that you can fill out the member application form online, then mail your check to the Co-op. As long as you fill out the form by Thursday, you’ll be considered a Founding Owner-Member.

One of the first perks of membership is the Local Loyalty program. Owner-members will be able to use their brand-new membership card at 35 local businesses to receive discounts, and this list of businesses is growing and not limited to food!

The Local Loyalty Program includes businesses that offer food, acupuncture, book, clothing alterations, massage, jewelry, and more. Along with this, there are a lot of other benefits of membership. You can find the form to fill out here.

Continue Reading: You have until May 2 to get great benefits by becoming a Founding Member of Friends & Farmers Co-op

Tags: friendsandfarmers | members | localfood |

Friends & Farmers Co-op’s next big step

If you read Local Food Journey, you are probably well aware of the Friends & Farmers Cooperative project, which is a food cooperative in State College committed to showcasing the best local products in support of a strong local economy. The good news is you can finally join Friends & Farmers at the Membership Kickoff Celebration to be held Sunday, March 2, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County. You can RSVP here.

Along with signing up founding member/owners, the Celebration will have a lot to offer attendees. It will feature performances by local musicians including Andy Tolins, Scott Mangene, and Paul Brigman & Friends; opening remarks by State College Mayor and local food advocate Elizabeth Goreham; local food donated by various local vendors such as Webster’s, Harrison’s Wine Grill, Tait Farm, Byler Goat Dairy, Katz Raw Foods, Stone Meadow Farms, and Sweet Sunrise Bakery; kids activities led by the Penn State Community Food Security Club, and more. “The whole setup of this event is ‘drop-in,’ meaning you don’t have to come and be there the whole time,” said Michele Marchetti, local freelance writer and Friends & Farmers board member. “The idea is you come when you want, you hear some music, you get some food, and of course, sign up to be a member.”

Continue Reading: Friends & Farmers Co-op’s next big step

Tags: Friends&Farmers | event | membership |

Six local food things to do to get you through the rest of this tough winter

Without a doubt, this has been one really rough winter here in Central Pennsylvania. Below-zero temperatures and lots of snow has made this the worst winter we’ve had in this area in 20 years, and right now it seems like spring will never come.

But we all know that soon enough, we will get warmer, and the grass will reappear and turn green, the flowers will pop out, and all of our moods will likely get better. In the meantime, here are six things that involve local food that can make you perhaps feel a bit better about our current weather situation:

Continue Reading: Six local food things to do to get you through the rest of this tough winter

Tags: winter | cold | localfood | snowcream | farmersmarket |

Local food fans: Join Friends & Farmers Coop starting March 2

Friends & Farmers Cooperative, which is working to open a member-owned cooperative store that will specialize in local, sustainably-produced products, will begin taking members on March 2 at its Membership Kickoff Celebration at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County.

Founding members will help build a store that will stock produce and products grown and prepared right here in Happy Valley, promote real food, and serve as the central hub of the local food economy. Simply stated, it’s a store that will feed our community.

Continue Reading: Local food fans: Join Friends & Farmers Coop starting March 2

Tags: FriendsandFarmers |

Taking it inside: Boalsburg market sets up shop in St. John’s Church in winter months

Winter certainly takes a toll on us here in Happy Valley. From below freezing temperatures to painfully bitter winds, winter weather conditions require us to adapt and prepare accordingly. While you may think that the months of December through March leave local farmers with little to harvest, this is not the case. In fact, farmers throughout Centre County are finding innovative ways to grow vegetables during the winter months, despite the chill that would typically inhibit certain plants to grow. Plus, you don’t have to look far to find these vegetables available to you, for they’re being sold every Tuesday at the Boalsburg Farmers Market!

Continue Reading: Taking it inside: Boalsburg market sets up shop in St. John’s Church in winter months

Tags: BoalsburgFarmersMarket | CloverCreekCheese | BeilerFamilyFarm |

Eat local, support local at fundraiser for Friends & Farmers Cooperative

Editor’s note: The following is a press release regarding a fundraiser by Friends & Farmers Cooperative. Please help support what is a very worthy cause for our local food community.

Friends & Farmers Cooperative, which is working to open a member-owned cooperative grocery that will specialize in local, sustainably-produced products, is holding a fundraising event at Spats at 5-7:30 p.m, January 26.
Entitled “Local on the Menu,” the event will offer community members a behind-the-scenes look at the local food scene and an opportunity to hear firsthand how Spats owner, Duke Gastiger, and others are turning local into a point of Pennsylvania pride.

Continue Reading: Eat local, support local at fundraiser for Friends & Farmers Cooperative

Tags: Friends&Farmers | fundraiser | localfood |

Friends and Farmers Cooperative grocery store getting close to becoming reality

This past Tuesday night, the Friends and Farmers Cooperative held a Meet and Greet at Whiskers in the Nittany Lion Inn. The event featured some local food created by Andrew Monk, who is the executive chef of the Nittany Lion Inn and big supporter of both local food and the Co-op. The event also was a way to inform the community about the progress the Co-op has been making, including the building of a Co-op grocery store.

Continue Reading: Friends and Farmers Cooperative grocery store getting close to becoming reality

Tags: FriendsandFarmers | retail | grocerystore |

Friends and Farmers Cooperative Meet and Greet Dec 10

Special to Local Food Journey by Carolyne Meehan

The Friends and Farmers Cooperative Meet and Greet at Whisker’s in the Nittany Lion Inn on Tuesday, December 10 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. will be a fun, delicious, and informational evening. Chef Andrew Monk will be serving up light appetizers prepared with local ingredients and a cash bar will be open for refreshments. Chef Monk has been a big supporter of the cooperative’s goal to make more local produce, meat and dairy more accessible to all. He has been making big changes as the executive chef of the Nittany Lion Inn - serving up local grass fed burgers that come from a single steer and introducing folks to local kale and beets as the stars in his main dishes. He is also big into the concept of “nose to tail” cooking, a method that involves serving up dishes to incorporate all cuts of meat.

Continue Reading: Friends and Farmers Cooperative Meet and Greet Dec 10

Tags: FriendsandFarmersCooperative |

Your Local Food Weekend for Nov. 16 and 17

As per the weather forecasts, this weekend we end our winter preview and get some mild weather to enjoy. For this Local Food Weekend weekend, we have the Bellefonte Farmers Market, Santa’s arrival plus a chance to unwind at the Winery at Wilcox store at the Nittany Mall, and great music to go with great local food and beer at Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks.

Continue Reading: Your Local Food Weekend for Nov. 16 and 17

Tags: LocalFoodWeekend | ElkCreekCafe | Bellefonte | farmersmarket | Christmas |

Tough job but someone has to do it: being a local food judge

I recently was asked by the folks at the Boalsburg Farmers Market to serve as a judge for the Market’s Golden Basket Awards, an annual event held as part of Local Foods Week here in Centre County. For those not familiar with the Golden Basket Awards, chefs from the local area compete for the prize by creating a full entree with ingredients found at the Boalsburg Farmers Market. Having to use local ingredients probably is the easy part of the contest. I mean, the chefs do their cooking in an area in the middle of the market and are surrounded by local meats, cheeses, eggs, dairy, sauces, and of course fresh produce. That’s a pretty formidable pantry.

So, I got to judge their end result. It was a challenge to be presented with creative and delicious dishes made by professional chefs and then eat them, but I persevered. Seriously, though, the food coma I was in by the end of the event really was a bit of a challenge, but it was a happy feeling.

Continue Reading: Tough job but someone has to do it: being a local food judge

Tags: BoalsburgFarmersMarket | GoldenBasketAward |

Learning Kitchen Cooking Demonstration at the Boalsburg Farmers Market on Tuesday, July 16

On Tuesday, July 16, two local chefs will demonstrate how to prepare dishes using fresh ingredients obtained at the Boalsburg Farmers Market. Grace Pilato, an accomplished Italian chef, cookbook author, and teacher of popular cooking classes, will be joined by Nate Brungarten, executive sous chef de cuisine at Zola’s New World Bistro, for the event. Pilato, a local cultural food expert, will present “Farm to Fork,” showing how to incorporate unusual vegetables into everyday menu preparation and Brungarten will utilize fresh garden ingredients to make summer entertaining burst with fresh, local flavor.

Continue Reading: Learning Kitchen Cooking Demonstration at the Boalsburg Farmers Market on Tuesday, July 16

Tags: event | BoalsburgFarmersMarket | LearningKitchen | Zolas |

Guaranteed local at the Bellefonte Grower’s Farmers Market

Post by Nick Benard

Living in Bellefonte, I love tracking the progress of spring to summer with the Bellefonte Growers Farmer’s Market. Located in the Gamble Mill Parking Lot at 160 Dunlap St, the market runs every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to noon. This market is akin to a self-regulated cooperative, ensuring that the people you buy your food from are the ones who actually grow it. Did you ever wonder why some farmers markets will be flush with corn and beefsteak tomatoes for Memorial Day, even while our PA gardens are just taking root at the end of May? Chances are they’re buying from farms in the South and California.

Continue Reading: Guaranteed local at the Bellefonte Grower’s Farmers Market

Tags: BellefonteFarmersMarket |

Learning Kitchen #1 at the Boalsburg Farmers Market June 25

Three local chefs will demonstrate how to prepare dishes using fresh ingredients obtained at the Boalsburg Farmers Market Tuesday, June 25 at 2:00 p.m. Mark Johnson, head chef at the Elk Creek Cafe, will showcase dinner ideas for entertaining friends and family, while Sc’Eric Horner and Chris Young (master cocktailians from the Fuji & Jade Garden restaurant) will demonstrate making “Cocktails from the Garden” using garden-fresh and local ingredients to create exciting summer drinks.

Continue Reading: Learning Kitchen #1 at the Boalsburg Farmers Market June 25

Tags: LearningKitchen | BoalsburgFarmersMarket |

Local Food Video: The Yard—Taking honey and pollinated products to the market

Heather Emminger talks about the uses of bees and their honey. The Yard is Emminger’s part-time job through which she takes honey, vegetables, and cut flowers to the Bellefonte Farmers Market.

Continue Reading: Local Food Video: The Yard—Taking honey and pollinated products to the market

Tags: TheYard | honey | bees | BellefonteFarmersMarket |

Local Food Video: Kid’s Day at Boalsburg Farmer’s Market

Children watched Tony Sapia of Gemelli Bakers demonstrate how to prepare local food at the Boalsburg Farmer’s Market during Tuesday’s Kid’s Day. They share their favorite food and other experiences at the farmer’s market.

Continue Reading: Local Food Video: Kid’s Day at Boalsburg Farmer’s Market

Tags: BoalsburgFarmer'sMarket | KidsDay | video | Gemelli |

June 11 is Kids Day at the Boalsburg Farmer’s Market

Kids Day at the Boalsburg Farmer’s Market will occur Tuesday, June 11. The event will feature Tony Sapia of Gemelli Bakers demonstrating to children how to prepare simple dishes from products available at the market. This will happen at 3:00 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Military Museum. After the demonstration, farmers and other vendors will be available to talk to children in attendance about what they do.

Continue Reading: June 11 is Kids Day at the Boalsburg Farmer’s Market

Tags: Kid'sDay | BoalsburgFarmer'sMarket | children | events |

At the Dinner Table: Shellie Mierwald, founder of Sweet Heat Gourmet

This edition of At the Dinner Table (a conversation with someone involved with local food), is with Shellie Mierwald, founder/owner of Sweet Heat Gourmet, a State College-based sauce company that uses local vendors for the ingredients.

Continue Reading: At the Dinner Table: Shellie Mierwald, founder of Sweet Heat Gourmet

Tags: SweetHeatGourmet | AttheDinnerTable | peppers | sauce | farmer'smarket |

WPSU radio story asks: Can State College support a local food co-op store?

A few weeks ago, WPSU ran a story by Kate Lao Shaffner during Morning Edition on the new Friends & Farmers organization. We wrote about them back in early April. Their goal is to establish a co-op grocery store with local food here in State College.

Continue Reading: WPSU radio story asks: Can State College support a local food co-op store?

Tags: Friends&Farmers | co-op | WPSU | KateLaoShaffner |

Farmer’s market season gets underway in Centre County

While a few farmer’s markets in central PA operate indoors during the cold months, the warmer weather of May means it’s time for outdoor farmer’s markets. Here’s a general guide to what you can expect at an outdoor farmer’s market.

Continue Reading: Farmer’s market season gets underway in Centre County

Tags: farmersmarket | buyfreshbuylocal |