Water Break
Stunning sunflowers from Perez Produce
Water Break
We've officially made it halfway through the 2023 market season, and in light of that and this brutal heat, we'd thought we'd take a moment to pause and reflect on the year so far before we pick things back up Saturday morning.
The season kicked off with the warmest opening day we've ever had (perhaps an omen of the hot summer that has followed) and we were so delighted to have a great crowd turn out and welcome us to our new home inside University Research Park.
Over the next fifteen weeks the market grew in size and flavor as it does every year. By late July we find ourselves surrounded by overflowing tables of local produce, the aromas of fresh baked goods, the brilliant colors of cut flowers and all our weekly market staples.
Now weekly shopping trips find our totes loaded down with fresh bunches of rainbow chard from Urban Gourmet (pictured), baguettes from Stella's Bakery and farm-fresh eggs from Dreamfarm.
Families stop in to gather their favorites before the rest of the weekend takes over, pausing to enjoy the music from the Market Ramblers and enjoying a yummy cow cookie from Chris & Lori's Bakehouse (pictured).
The die-hard cooks scour for the unique, the flavor-rich and the eye-catching items to work their magic with, turning these finds into something wonderful. This past weekend it was an array of colorful cauliflower heads from County Line Plants & Produce and fresh red okra from Ka Vang Thao (pictured). The recipe hounds will enjoy trying something new with okra this year, like Bourbon-Brined Pickled Okra or Crunchy Okra-and-Corn Salad.
We won't feel a big change as we move into the second half of the season this week. We can expect another full market packed with all your favorites, but in the back of our minds we know the countdown begins and each week must be treasured.
This weekend we'll be joyously welcoming back our friends the Master Gardeners and organic produce extraordinaire Blue Moon Community Farm, who will be returning after their summer market hiatus and joining us through the remainder of the season.
On that note, we'll raise our glasses, brush off our hands and get back to work bringing that market magic to the west side each Saturday.
See you at the market!
Ben Zimmerman
Market Manager
As a reminder to everyone, dogs are prohibited within the market area, though we welcome service animals at all times.
Dane County Farmers' Market Cookbooks Now for Sale!
We are very happy to announce the brand new "The Dane County Farmers’ Market Cookbook: Local Foods, Global Flavors" by amazing food writer Terese Allen will now be available for purchase at the Info Tent.
The book is bursting with great stories and recipes built around the unique and vibrant farmers market scene Madison has to offer. Find new and delicious ways to utilize your market finds, while supporting the market.
Copies will be available starting this Saturday at the Info Tent. The books sells for $35 and can be purchased with cash or check.
You may also preorder a copy by emailing us at: manager.wcm@gmail.com
Vendor Notices - July 29
Madison Sourdough will be absent from the market this Saturday, July 29th. They will return the following week.
Daily Vendors:
Alice Good Coffee
JenEhr Family Farm
Steppin' Out Foods
9 Lives Rescue at Market This Weekend
9 Lives Rescue is coming to the market! We can’t bring cats and kittens, but we CAN bring the next-best thing - we’ll have lots of adorable kitty pictures, and people who would love to talk about cats! We can also talk about finding the right cat for you, or ways you can help us rescue Madison area cats in need. 9 Lives adopted out over 600 cats and kittens last year alone. Whether it’s a hoarding situation, abuse, a population explosion on a farm, or homeless cats struggling to survive - with your help we'll be there. Please stop by and tell us about your kitties!
The humor, cheeky; the cheese curds, squeaky Murphy Farms' new cooler cover gives us a chuckle
as we wait for fresh cheese curds, beef sticks and cottage cheese.
North, south, east or west; it's a breeze to get to our new market location
with easy access off of both Whitney Way and Mineral Point Road.
Our many thanks to Snaggle Tooth Arts of Wayward Tattoo for the market rabbit graphic!
