Market News
The People Have Spoken: Berries Rule!
Wednesday, 04 April 2012 09:45
Last month we asked you, "What would you like to see at the Market?" We received 17 responses. While most respondents said they loved the vegetable varieties sold at the market, there clearly is a pent-up demand for more fruit, a greater diversity of vegetables, and a larger selection of healthy prepared foods. But there was one item that came up again and again on people's dream list: berries! Raspberries topped the list, followed by strawberries and blueberries. The good news for berry fanatics is that several of our vendors planted extra raspberry and strawberry plants last year, so there will be more berries at the 2012 Fondy Farmers Market. Hooray!
Here are the top choices in other categories.
We also received some great comments from our shoppers:
- "Have information about each of the vendors available. People like to know where their produce is grown."
- "Have prepared foods made with ingredients from the market, along with recipes."
- "Sell breakfast food as a prepared food option. I start off quite early at Fondy and some breakfast options would be great."
- "Demonstrate how to make 'green juice' and other nutritious juice blends."
Hoophouse Dreams
Join us Sunday, April
15 for a free, hands-on workshop at the Fondy Farm in Port Washington. Using materials available at your local hardware store, learn how to build a 20'x48' hoophouse. The workshop is being led by Jay Salinas (co-founder of the Worm Farm Institute and agricultural educational facilitator at the Farley Center [Verona, WI]). The workshop is an all-day affair, starting at 8 am and finishing around 5 pm. This is a potluck event, so please bring a dish to pass (or your own lunch). For more information and to reserve your spot, please visit our Facebook page or contact Stephen Petro, Fondy Farm Project Director, at 262-939-0733 or . RSVPs due by Tuesday, April 10.A Vote A Day Bring the Apples in Play
Beginning Monday, April 16, we need the Fondy Universe to spin into finger-tapping action and vote for us. The Fruit Tree Planting
Foundation, through its Communities Take Root initiative, has selected the Fondy Farm Project as one of 100 gardens/farms across the country eligible to receive a starter orchard of 20 fruit trees and shrubs (apples, peaches, blueberries, etc.), along with instructional materials and volunteer support. But there's a catch: only 17 of those 100 eligible organizations will win. And it's all in the numbers: winners are determined by how many on-line votes they receive from their supporters. 
That's where you come in. We need your vote. And each of your friends. And every one of your extended family. And your entire office and neighborhood. You know - the entire Fondy Universe. You can vote once per day beginning Monday, April 16 through Thursday, August 30. In other words, you can vote 137 times!
On April 16, we'll shoot out an e-blast with the website address for voting. And when we do, please forward it on to each and everyone in your universe. Together, we WILL bring a bountiful fruit orchard to the Fondy Farm Project....and in a few years, delicious, locally grown fruit to the Fondy Farmers Market.
Got Some Old Storm Doors or Water Cooler Jugs?
We're setting up several hoophouses at our Port Washington farm and are looking for used aluminum (but still workable) storm doors. (See picture for the type of door needed.) Each hoophouse needs two doors. We'll heat the hoophouses with radiant heat from filled water jugs and 55-gallon drums. All day long, these containers absorb the sun's heat, warming the water inside. At night, the water cools, releasing heat into the air and warming the greenhouse.
If you or your company has some old, standard-sized aluminum storm doors and/or clean, empty, used water cooler jugs or 55-gallon drums to donate, we would gratefully appreciate it. (And so would the environment!) Contact Stephen Petro, Farm Project Director, at or 262-939-0733.
P.S. Check out our Fondy Wish List for list of other items or services in need.
Sign up to get the latest news on Market happenings, new vendors, what's in season, special events, and Fondy Food Center updates (including news about the Fondy Farm Project) by becoming a Fondy Farmers Market Facebook fan and following us on Twitter. Feel free to forward The Fondy Beet to all your friends and relatives. The more, the merrier!
P.S. And since we like (OK, love) customers and supporters like yourself, won't you please share your Fondy love by "Liking" us on Facebook? More Articles...
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Seasonal recipes with local produce cooked live at the Fondy Farmers Market every Saturday from June 25th to October 1st from 9am to noon and taped for MCM Channel 14.
Watch past episodes on Vimeo and get our recipes!
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