Have a Local Thanksgiving!

Show Us Your Apples!

This season's cooking contest might be the fiercest challenge yet! I know there's bound to be a tough competition for the title of "Perfect Pie"... are you game?

Athens Farmers Market - On Exhibit!

The Athens County Historical Society and Museum has asked our Market to co-curate an exhibit focused on the historical roots and current trends in Athens County agriculture. With an emphasis on how the Athens Farmers Market has played a key role in bringing farmers and consumers together, this exhibit will be a hands-on learning experience for visitors. ACHS&M is asking for artifacts, photos and testimonials from Market vendors young and old to be used in the exhibit. The Museum is also seeking willing donors who would like to contribute to the cost of creating and maintaining this two-year exhibit. The Friends of AFM has already committed to raising $250 of the $500 needed. If you are interested in giving, please contact the Friends of AFM or Sarah Conley.
The museum is currently undergoing a “facelift” and intends to open this exhibit as soon as October 1st, 2008.
Please consider making a contribution today!

The Squash It! Cooking Contest was a real smash...

Savory Category:
Zuchini Pizza - Star Mary Castro

Athens Squash Roll - JingZia Wu

Noodle Nest - Steve Huang

Zucchini Relish for Diabetics - Phil Foreman

Cold Squash Soup - Carole Schloss

Aunt Pat's Summer Salad - Sue Crook

Sweet Category:

Sweet Summer Squash Pie - Sarah Jane Mills

Summer Squash Pie with Lemon - Dodstil Dempsey Jr.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread - Helen Klingaman

Patty Pan Espresso Bites - Brandon La Bonte

Thanks to all who participated!

Up to my ears...

In sweet corn?!? Yep, we sure are. Athens Farmers Market is just about exploding in tomatoes, peaches, green beans and potatoes this time of year. Its hard to see three feet in front of you during the 10 am rush on Saturday morning, shoppers hustling and bustling past, limbs loaded down with fresh food and cut flowers. I stand agog at the plenitude.

There's so much going on right now at our Market and in the Athens local food scene, I simply can't sum it up in a day, let alone one post. We made headlines last week for our part in the Local Food Summit hosted by ACEnet and sponsored by the Kellogg Foundation. So many incredible organizations were represented, and I was again reminded that our community stands apart in the impressive quantity (and certainly quality) of key resources we have at our disposal. Check out CFI, the Green Plate Club (of Village Bakery/Della Zona descent) and more. And if you are one of the many supporters who shop at our Market each week or participate in CFI workshops, give yourself a big (but gentle) pat on the back. You have single-handedly stimulated our local economy and diverted more dollars away from big business aimed at pilfering our pockets to line their own. Keep it here, in Southeastern Ohio, where you earned it.


Boy this soapbox is slippery...I'll be getting down now.

Coming soon...the results of our wildly successful Squash It! cooking contest...what a hoot! And, the Friends of AFM will also be launching its official Membership Campaign next Saturday - find them at the Market Cafe to sign up and receive a free tote bag with membership. Its a great way to show your support of AFM and get more involved at YOUR Market!