Thanks to the Braintree Farmers Market Volunteers

Morgan Stidham and her father Jonathan help C.N. Smith Farm setup before the market opens.

    Now that the Braintree Farmers Market is but a fond memory we'd like to acknowledge some of the folks who have given their time to make the market a success.  Every single Saturday the market operates there is a crew of volunteers that come together to lend a hand to make sure the event goes smoothly.  The diversity of the team, which ranges in age from 10 to a wee bit shy of 90, has a common goal to bring fresh local foods and create a community atmosphere in Braintree.  Our vendors and farmers constantly tell us they look forward to our market every week because of how warmly they are greeted by volunteers and patrons which makes the Braintree Market like no other.  

   On the evening of October 22nd the market held a Volunteer Appreciation Soiree inside the Braintree Historical Society's barn and museum.  It was a perfect fall evening with a festive farm atmosphere.  The museum's current exhibit of antique farming equipment tied in perfectly.  All of the victuals and potables were graciously donated by the market farmers and vendors.  Their generosity was overwhelming with an abundance of tasty delights including sausages from Joe Beaulieu's Butcher Shop, clam chowder from Fresh Catch Seafood, cider from C.N. Smith Farm, crudite made from The Farmers Garden veggies, fresh picked salad fixings from The Second Nature Farm, delicious hummus, spinach pies and baklava from Homestyle Caterers, cheeses from Lawton Farms, fresh baked breads from Hearth Fired Baked Breads and The Great Cape Baking Company with spices from Ric's Pantry added to olive oil for dipping and spreads from Deborah's Kitchen, freshly roasted nuts from Fastachi and a variety of cranberries from Fairland Farms.  For dessert there were multiple pies from Ever So Humble Pie Company, delicious cookies from Jack's Cookie Jar and mouth watering mini cupcakes in several different flavors from The Cupcakerie.  We drew names for donated items such as an array of lavender items from Rhode Island Spa Products, a gift certificate from Nella Pasta, a variety of handmade crafts from Project Have Hope and sauce from Joslin Foods.  Thanks to Coastal Vineyards and Turtle Creek Winery for their contributions as well.  Even Mayor Joe Sullivan joined in with thank yous and acknowledgements for all the hard working volunteers

Angela Cavanaugh is our face behind facebook.

   All through the winter months the Farmers Market Committee is planning for the next season and how it can be even better than the last.  Thanks to Angela Cavanaugh for managing the Community Tent as well as our facebook page, Diana Althouse is our controller and keeps track of our budgets, Marie Vega and Susan Ryan coordinated the volunteer schedule which is constantly evolving and changing, Cathy Sloan-Gallagher has been working on the Visiting Vendors, Jim Curran helps with our website and Jonathan Stidham assists in many different aspects including setup assistance on market days along with his kids Morgan, Madison and Matt.

Bob James and Jim Smith from BEMA Braintree Emergency Management.

   During the market season the first team on the job are our friends at BEMA (Braintree Emergency Management Agency).  They're the ones that put out the traffic barrels and cones the night before and take them in as soon as the market closes.  This helps to keep the market safe from folks trying to drive through the market while it is operating.  Bob James is at the helm at BEMA and Jim Smith makes sure he gets the barrels taken care of before any of his other duties.  Jim and Bob are two of the our most dedicated volunteers.  We're thankful for all the BEMA volunteers that have lent a hand in making safety our number one priority.

Jim Regan is a loyal and hard-working volunteer.

   Jim Regan is our rock throughout the season.  He shows up before every market to set up the tents and assist the vendors and makes sure there is order in the chaos when everything comes together.  Once the market closes Jim makes sure everything returns to our storage area and makes sure everything neat and organized.  He juggles all this with his real work and family.  Jim is the man and we're grateful to have him on our team.

Eric Sugrue grew up in Braintree and now volunteers at the market.

   There are several volunteers that rotate by sharing tasks such as setups, tear downs, cleanup, putting out and taking in signs, managing the market, selling tee shirts etc.  Thanks to Eric Sugrue, Robert Fricke, Lauren Crook, Bob Casey, Pat Morey, Christine Sullivan, Stacie O'Callaghan, Ellen Fox, Linda Chapman, Eileen Campbell, Cheryl Edgar, Samantha Noone, Rick Gallagher, Mary Mitchell, Susan and Habib Karim, Bob Casey, Sandra Peterson and everyone that has lent a hand.  These are just a few of the folks that pitch in when help is needed.

   If you're interested in joining our volunteer team we'd love to hear from you.  Perhaps you have a particular talent that you'd like to share with us.  If so, please contact Marie at mariev@sustainablebraintree.org.

Braintree Thanksgiving Farmers Market

Ann Schunior joins the market on November 19th with her handmade pottery.

   The Braintree Thanksgiving Farmers Market, hosted by Sustainable Braintree, is being held on November 19th, from 9 to 1, inside the Braintree Town Hall, One JFK Memorial Drive, Braintree, MA.  Celebrate the end of the 2011 farmers market season with a full harvest for your holiday table.  The buzz on this market has grown substantially since our first holiday market back in 2009 and it's the one we've been waiting for all season.  We're setting the stage for our 2011 season finale and it's sure to memorable.  The market will offer products that you can always depend on such as locally grown fruits and vegetables, wine, fresh seafood, hormone & antibiotic free meats, local cheeses, honey, handmade pasta, eggs, many varieties of artisan sauces, fresh pressed apple cider, preserves made from local fruits, award winning pies made from local produce, scones, fresh baked breads, delicious prepared foods, all-natural spa products, phenomenally creative cookies, gourmet cupcakes, the Best Damn Granola, fair trade coffee, teas & chocolates. All of our regular vendors, with a few more more sprinkled in, will be on hand to spice things up.  Gift baskets & local and fair trade crafts will also be available. Enjoy Celtic fiddle music by Tiffany Rozenas & Family. The market will be located inside the Braintree Town Hall.

   This holiday market is extra special as we'll have some new vendors added to the mix to give your holiday shopping a kick start.  Look for a few local and fair trade craft artisans that are sure to peak your interest.  Ann Schunior will have her handcrafted pottery that express her interest in world cultures and travel.  Ann is a full-time potter and you'll see her expertise and creativity in every one-of-a-kind piece.  Tuccelli Confections will be on hand for the first time with fine handmade chocolates and confections that will be perfect as gifts or treat yourself to a new local flavor.  Sippican Farm will have mittens, gloves, scarves and hats made from the fleece from their Alpacas that should keep you warm until the market opens again next year.  The Dreaming Earth is new to the market and they will have an assortment of gorgeous fair trade crafts from the independent Mayan Indian Communities of Chiapa, Mexico.  Each purchase contributes a percentage towards clinics in their communities.  Project Have Hope will also be on hand with their reasonably priced jewelry made from recycled materials.  Project Have Hope works with a group of 100 women in the Acholi Quarter of Uganda and helps them transform their lives.

   Join us in this warm and toasty atmosphere as we say a fond farewell to the Braintree Farmers Market for the 2011 season.  Supporting small local businesses is on the rise. This is an opportunity for consumers to be connected with the business owners and begin to understand the passion they have for their products and support the local economy.  These are items that go beyond the bottom line which we've all become accustomed to.  These products are grown and made with heart and integrity.  We've thoughtfully curated our vendors with a focus on quality and diversity and we're proud of each and every vendor that participates in the market.  This is a hoe-down not to be missed!  Special thanks to all our Braintree Farmers Market supporters.  For more information visit us at www.sustainablebraintree.org/food.

Community Meeting & Thanksgiving Market

Sustainable Braintree is holding it's annual community meeting on November 17, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. in Johnson's Chamber on the 2nd floor in the Braintree Town Hall.  This meeting is open to the general public.  The featured speaker will be Bonnie Kavanaugh, a second generation nurse and herbalist. Her presentation is entitled 'Herbs for Winter Health and Wellness'. She will share some of her favorite recipes and remedies for the cold and flu season. Learn how foods and herbs can help prevent winter illnesses and when they strike, can help relieve some of the uncomfortable symptoms that accompany them. Herbal teas, cordials, vinegars, soups and many other "remedies" are discussed and recipes shared. Bonnie has over 30 years of health care experience as an herbalist and a registered nurse and is a graduate of the Rosemary Gladstar Art and Science of Herbal Medicine Program. Bonnie has been a past Council Member of the Northeast Herbalist Association and is a founding member of the Ocean State Herbalists Association. Bonnie is the co-author of "Rubies in the Sand; Recipes from the Cape Cod Cranberry Bogs" and currently works as an independent marketing representative for Fairland Farm/Cape Cod Organic Cranberry, LlC.

Braintree Thanksgiving Farmers Market, hosted by Sustainable Braintree, is being held on November 19th, from 9 to 1, inside the Braintree Town Hall, One JFK Memorial Drive, Braintree, MA.  Celebrate the end of the 2011 farmers market season with a full harvest for your holiday table.  Locally grown fruits and vegetables, wine, fresh seafood, hormone & antibiotic free meats, local cheeses, honey, handmade pasta, eggs, many varieties of artisan sauces, fresh pressed apple cider, preserves made from local fruits, award winning pies made from local produce, scones, fresh baked breads, delicious prepared foods, all-natural spa products, plants & flowers, phenomenally creative cookies, gourmet cupcakes, the Best Damn Granola, fair trade coffee, teas & chocolates. All of our regular vendors, with a few more more sprinkled in, will be on hand to spice things up.  Gift baskets & local and fair trade crafts will also be available. The market will be located inside the Braintree Town Hall.  Celtic fiddle music by Tiffany Rozenas & Family.  This is a hoe-down not to be missed!  For more information visit us at  www.sustainablebraintree.org/food.

Final Outdoor Market for 2011 Season

Joe Beaulieu's pet ducks visit the market.

   This Saturday, October 29th, is the Braintree Farmers Market's final outside market scheduled for the 2011 season.  The next market will be on November 19th when we move inside and in front of the Braintree Town Hall for the celebrated Thanksgiving Farmers Market.  This will be the very last market for the year and it's looking like it will be a winner.  The vendors, farmers, volunteers, sponsors and patrons have all contributed to the success of the market and we've enjoyed every single minute.  Each week has been a little different as some vendors rotate their time with us which has enabled a constant influx of new products that are continually evolving with the changes in harvest seasons.  Wine is now being offered by two local vineyards that rotate their schedule as well.

Peppers grown by Second Nature Farm.

   Our goal has been to bring fresh local produce and artisan foods to Braintree and inspire a sense of community in our neighborhood.  There's something to be said about purchasing directly from the farmers and food makers that help us understand where our food comes from and how it's made and the thoughtfulness and care that goes into it.  The dialogue between folks that live in a more urban or suburban setting and farmers that have a significantly different lifestyle is engaging, enlightening and inspiring.  It's reassuring to know your food was cooked by a human with ingredients that are pronounceable and not loaded with preservatives.  Purchasing local foods not only tastes better and is at the peek of it's heathy benefits, it also helps the local economy, small businesses and farms, creates less pollution because it travels less and promotes open spaces as farmers are stewards of the land.

Veggie Cookies from Jack's Cookie Jar.

   The market is grateful for the support we've received from Sustainable Braintree.  Thanks to Rockland Trust who sponsored the pumpkins that were given away on Make a Difference Day.  We were thrilled to receive the Harvard Pilgrim Community Spirit 9/11 Mini-Grant which helped with the operational costs of the market.  Braintree Electric Light Dept. (BELD) is always working to help promote the market. Thanks to Richmond Hardware for their support.  Many thanks to the Braintree Forum for helping us get the news about the market to the community.  A special thanks to Mayor Joseph Sullivan for always being on our side.

   Be sure to stop by the market this Saturday from 9 to 1, rain or shine, at the Braintree Town Hall Mall for the final outdoor market.  Savor the best in fresh local foods at our open air market and support the efforts of folks in your neighborhood who have worked to create this special event.  If you enjoy real food then you'll really enjoy the Braintree Farmers Market.  See you on Saturday.

Make a Difference Day/Pumpkin Festival is this Saturday October 22nd

Katie Weitbrecht volunteers at Make a Difference Day.

   Please join us for Make a Difference Day at this Saturday's October 22nd Braintree Farmers Market. This event, hosted by Sustainable Braintree and the Town of Braintree, is part of a national day of giving, where neighbors help neighbors. We’ll be collecting new and gently used goods for a variety of local nonprofit organizations from  9 a.m. to 1 a.m. at the Braintree Town Hall at One JFK Memorial Drive, Braintree  MA.   For a list of participating organizations and items you can donate visit http://www.sustainablebraintree.org/makeadiff

It's Apple Season at the Farmers Market

Apples from C.N. Smith Farm.

   It's Apple Season at the Braintree Farmers Market hosted by Sustainable Braintree and we're delivering the goods every Saturday from 9 to 1, rain or shine, at the Braintree Town Hall Mall.  C.N. Smith Farm is bringing in a wide selection of apples direct from their orchards in East Bridgewater.  Mid-October is the peak of the season so you need to look no further than the market to find bins with apples such as McIntosh, Macoun, Honey Crisp, Cortland, Empire, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Spencer, Northern Spy, Breaburn, Fuji, Mutsu, Golden Russet, Granny Smith, Red Rome, Wine Sap and Baldwin.  If you can't find an apple that you like then you must not like apples.  Apples are great for making applesauce, apple pies, baked apples and apples straight out of the bin.  C.N. Smith Farm also offers their own cider that is pressed at the farm. Their on-site cider mill is federally inspected and certified.  If you're not in the mood or don't have the time to bake Ever So Humble Pie Co. has fresh baked apple pies and Homestyle Caterers are making baked apples this week. Come on down and join the Apple Madness at the market.  Steve Jobs worked at a small farm before he started his computer company and realized the apple had great appeal and so will you.  

   Autumn is the time for comfort foods and and they've taken them to a high art form at Homestyle Caterers.  You can always depend on Chef Hassan's Magic Oven to bring forth the favorite items that their customers demand.  Every week you can be assured that you'll find Falafel Roll Ups, Spinach Turnovers, Chicken Pot Pies, Flaky Baklava, delicious scones and Creamy Rice Pudding.  There's always a rotation of Mac n' Cheese, stuffed peppers and a variety of date and nut cookies along with other surprises along the way. This week the Chef is making Moussaka which is a layering of eggplant and ground beef in a tomato sauce and topped off with a creamy Bechamel.  Homestyle Caterers has a huge fan base and it's no wonder since Chef Hassan is passionate about his cooking and loves to have folks enjoy his creations.

Joe Beaulieu

   Joe Beaulieu Butcher Shop is another farmer that customers appreciate with his hormone and antibiotic-free meats.  When Joe first arrived at the market in 2009 folks were curious about a livestock farmer at the market.  Now Joe has a devout following with a solid customer base as people have come to realize he puts out quality products.  This coming Saturday Joe will be fully stocked with all meat products.  One of his pet ducks just hatched a batch of little ducklings that will have their debut this week for all to see.  

   This Saturday the Energy Task Force group from Sustainable Braintree is hosting the Light Bulb Exchange at the Sustainable Braintree tent.  The days have become shorter and we're turning on the lights for longer periods of time so now's the perfect time to exchange your incandescent bulbs for new CFL bulbs to reduce your electric bill and conserve energy.   Bring up to five working incandescent bulbs in exchange for brand new CFLs.  This effort is funded by Sustainable Braintree.  Bring proof of Braintree residency.

   You don't need to travel great distances to find delicious, fresh picked, local apples and many other fruits, vegetables and so much more.  Take advantage of the market while we're still around.  The efforts of our farmers, vendors, volunteers, town officials and folks like yourself are the reason why the market is thriving.  For more information visit us at  www.sustainablebraintree.org/food.  See you on Saturday.

Turtle Creek Winery at the Farmers Market

Cheryl Edgar, Sustainable Braintree's president, explores wine choices with Kip Kumler from Turtle Creek Winery.

   For the past two Saturdays at the Braintree Farmers Market hosted by Sustainable Braintree we've been dealing with damp and rainy weather which throws a curve ball into our outdoor plans for the market.  Due to the generosity and support of our community-based venue Mayor Joseph Sullivan has granted the market permission to operate inside the Braintree Town Hall Cahill Auditorium during inclement weather days. No other farmers market, to our knowledge, has this type of backup plan in place.  This ensures that our supporters will continue to experience a pleasurable market day regardless of the weather.  Bringing the market inside also guarantees vendors with perishable products will deliver their items to their customers in the best possible condition.  Growers and vendors with refrigeration will remain in outside in front the town hall as there is no danger of product destruction or deterioration.  So although the weather may be unpredictable you can always predict the market will be operating on Saturdays from 9 to 1, rain or shine, throughout the month of October in our usual location.  Don't forget to mark your calendar for the Special Thanksgiving Market on November 19th.

  Our Featured Vendor for this coming Saturday is a brand new vendor to our market and we're proud to introduce Turtle Creek Winery to the fold.  Kip Kumler is the owner and winemaker for this small scale winery hailing from Lincoln, MA.  Kip has been diligently working at becoming a member of the market and will be joining us on alternating Saturdays while sharing the space with Coastal Vineyards.  The goal is to provide a wide variety of locally produced wine choices each time you visit the market.  Both Coastal Vineyards and Turtle Creek Winery will be present at the Thanksgiving Market to provide a broad spectrum of wine choices for your holiday table and for gift giving as well.

   Turtle Creek Winery has not only survived in our harsh New England climate, but has thrived in it.  Surprisingly, Rome, Italy which is south of some of Italy's most notable vineyards, is just about the same latitude as Lincoln, MA.  In fact, the annual heat accumulation in this location is higher than the Burgundy region of France and similar some areas of Napa Valley and Carneros, CA.

   This winery has won several gold and silver medals from competitive national wine competitions in California and beyond.  The reason for their success is because they approach winemaking as a fine craft and pay close attention to detail making the outcome of their finished products unique with depth and sophistication.  They produce about 500 cases of wine annually.  This means that each bottle of Turtle Creek wine is one of only 75 cases from that vintage.

  Although this is a small scale winery they have made substantial investments in technology to respect the integrity of the grape and how it is handled as it goes through the process of becoming bottled wine.  This allows them to take full advantage of different yeasts, computer controlled temperatures and peristaltic pumps to ensure the gentlest handling of must and wine.  In larger wineries everything moves faster sacrificing the integrity of the wine for the sake of economic efficiency and flavors tend to be blended away.  Turtle Creek has the opportunity to experiment and respect each wine individually.  They grow their own premium grapes in Lincoln and have contracts to purchase only the finest grapes available for some of their wines such as the Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Riesling wines.   If you'd like to taste Kip's baby you're in for a treat if you purchase a bottle of the Syrah-it's the bomb!

  This is a great time of year to drop by the market to purchase high quality local wines brought to you direct from the vineyards.  The growing season will soon become a memory so make a point of joining us at the famers market while we're still working diligently to bring this venue to the community.  The market is located at the Braintree Town Hall Mall at One JFK Memorial Drive, Braintree, MA.  For more information visit us at http://www.sustainablebraintree.org/food.  See you on Saturday.