Nokomis Meet and Greet!
Meet your Market! Interested in learning more about the Nokomis Farmers Market, and how you can get involved in 2016? Join us for an informal conversation at Town Hall Tap on Monday, January 25th between 7 - 9pm. Board members & staff from Neighborhood Roots, the nonprofit organization that operates the Nokomis, Kingfield, and Fulton Farmers Markets, will be on hand to share information about the market and how you can help make it happen, as well as answer any questions you might have. Interested in helping out on market days? Or joining the market Operations Committee? What IS a market Operations Committee? Stop by that night and chat, and / or get in touch at info@neighborhoodrootsmn.org. RSVPs appreciated but not required!
Winter Market on January 23rd!
Come in from the cold to shop and enjoy the Neighborhood Roots Winter Farmers Market! On Saturday January 23rd from 9:00 am -1:30 pm vendors from the Fulton, Kingfield and Nokomis farmers markets will be indoors at Bachman's Garden Center (6010 Lyndale Ave. S). There are still beautiful fruits and veggies available this time of year! Hearty root vegetables, cold crops and apples have been stored up through the winter months and the mild winter has allowed some farmers to continue growing greens in hoop houses. Delicious meats and cheeses will be available from several local farms so shop to stock your freezer! Other highlights of the January market include honey, maple syrup, salmon, kimchi, sauerkraut, hot sauce, jams, fruit syrups, pickles, doughnuts, cold pressed juice and chocolates!
The atmosphere will be festive so relax and enjoy the morning. Nosh on breakfast or lunch from one of three tasty food trucks and sip on a beer from Insight Brewing or a glass of wine. Enjoy music from Steve West and the Northern Stars from 9:00 am -11:00 am and the Roe Family Singers from 11:30 am- 1:30 pm!
Store discount: visitors to Bachman’s on Lyndale can mention “JanMarket” at the store registers to get $5 off a $25+ Bachman’s purchase. Valid 1/23, regular-priced in-store items only. Market goods not included.
Don't miss this opportunity to stock up on foods from local farmers and artisans! Mark your calendars for the final two Winter Markets on February 27th and March 26th. Many thanks to Uptown Heating and Cooling, The Augustine Team, Nicollet Ace Hardware, France 44, and Bryant Lake Bowl for making our Winter Markets possible!
2015 By the Numbers!
What do farmers and farmers market organizations do in the wintertime? Beyond planning for our next indoor markets on January 23rd, February 27th, & March 26th, we’re reviewing our year and dreaming big for the future – and we wanted to share some of this past season’s successes with you. What began as a pickup truck full of vegetables parked behind Anodyne Coffeehouse in 2001, has grown into 3 farmers markets – Kingfield, Fulton, & Nokomis – spread across South Minneapolis, and a 501c4 nonprofit organization, Neighborhood Roots.
In 2015 we:
Give today, and help strengthen our mission of supporting local farms and small businesses, promoting vibrant community, and effecting important changes in food and agriculture policy. Vendor fees account for less than 45% of our organizational operating budget – we rely on support from local businesses and market-goers like you to bridge the remaining gap. Thank you for your support of our market community, and we’ll see you in 2016!
Holiday Market Sunday November 15th!
The November Holiday Market is just around the corner! Don’t miss this great opportunity to shop for local foods, find unique handmade gifts, and enjoy a lovely morning at the market! Join us on Sunday November 15th in the greenhouse at Bachman’s Garden Center (6010 Lyndale Ave. S) from 9:00 am -1:30 pm for the Holiday Farmers Market! Many of your favorite vendors from the Fulton, Kingfield and Nokomis Farmers Markets will be in attendance. Growers will be bringing hearty veggies such as potatoes, Brussels sprouts, onions, beets, carrots, winter squash, garlic, beans and cabbage. Apples, too! Other vendors will have a wide variety of locally produced items including pickled and fermented vegetables, honey, maple syrup, jam, cheese, eggs, meats, coffee, bagels, doughnuts, granola, roasted nuts, chocolate, salmon, and much more! Several skilled craft vendors will be at the market so be sure to shop for holiday season gifts! Take the morning slow and enjoy breakfast or lunch from one of several fantastic prepared food vendors. Sip on a beer from Eastlake Craft Brewery or a glass of wine and enjoy live music while you shop! It’s a great time to get festive, eat local, and shop for foods and gifts for the holiday season.
Store discount: visitors to Bachman’s on Lyndale can mention “HolidayMarket” at the store registers to get $5 off a $25+ Bachman’s purchase. Valid 11/15, regular-priced store items only. Market goods not included.
Don't forget to mark your calendars for the Winter Markets on January 23rd, February 27th and March 26th! Big thanks to Uptown Heating and Cooling, The Augustine Team, Nicollet Ace Hardware, France 44, and Bryant Lake Bowl for making the Holiday and Winter Markets possible!
Dine Out @ Cafe Ena & her sisters Oct. 19th - support the market!
On Monday, October 19th, we will be partnering with Cafe Ena and her three sister restaurants, La Fresca, Rincon 38, and La Ceiba for a dine out event. Come dine at any one of these restaurants after 4pm and support the Kingfield Farmers Market at the same time! Did you know that Chef Ruiz often sources ingredients from the Kingfield Farmers Market? Enjoy a fantastic meal while 15% of all sales from the evening go to support the market.
The four restaurants serve delicious variations on Latin fusion, fresh Mexican, and Spanish bistro style food that is sure to leave your taste buds satisfied! Treat yourself Monday, October 19th and have a cause to eat for. Bring friends and family for happy hour, dinner or a pick-me-up anytime after 4pm.
Our farmers markets rely on support from local businesses and neighbors like you. Cafe Ena's and sister restaurant's donation will go towards market operations that support local farmers, and keep our markets fun and accessible for all.
Thank you!
Neighborhood Roots at Open Streets!
The Kingfield and Fulton Farmers Markets are part of two great neighborhoods, both of which are having Open Streets Festivals in September! Open Streets is City-wide initiative that allows residents to explore their neighborhood by foot or by bike, and get to know their streets in a whole new way.
This Sunday, 9/20, Nicollet Ave. will be closed to cars from Lake St. to 46th St. from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. The Kingfield Farmers Market will be open as usual from 8:30 am - 1:00 pm and then will remain open with many vendors and fun activities until 4:00 pm! Stop by our normal market site (4310 Nicollet Ave S) for bike decorating from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, veggie tasting from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, button making and temporary tattoos from 11:30 am - 3:30 pm, and free bike adjustments from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. To learn more about the activities planned all along Nicollet Ave, check out this link here.
The following Sunday, 9/27, 50th and France will be having its first ever Open Streets event! W 50th St will be closed to cars between Browndale Ave. in Edina and Beard Ave. in Minneapolis from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Come by the Fulton Farmers Market for your shopping on Saturday and then check out the Fulton Farmers Market booth from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm at Open Streets on Sunday! We’ll be near the intersection of 50th St & Chowen Ave S. Staff and volunteers from the market will be sampling veggies, making farmers market buttons and giving temporary market tattoos!
Join us in celebrating these awesome neighborhood events!
Meet Your Farmer: Lue Vang of Yer Yang's Produce and Flowers
Lue Vang and her family have been growing produce for farmers markets for over 25 years. Yer Yang, who the business is named after, is one of Lue’s eight children. The produce the family grows comes from plots of rented land in Rosemount. They are intentional in their approach to the seeds they buy or use which ensures high quality produce in the summer.
Yang’s family holds a lot of pride in the produce they grow, how they grow it and then bring it to market. Being honest with their customers is important to them. They encourage visitors to ask how they could contribute to the market so that others know about the market as well!
In addition to a wide abundance of vegetable crops such as new potatoes, carrots, leeks, garlic, tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers, Vang grows stunningly beautiful flowers that are also sold at the market.
Fun Facts:
– All eight of Lue Vang’s children were put through college as a result of their hard work and gardening efforts. The youngest, Anna, who frequently works with her mother at the Fulton & Kingfield Markets, is going into her sophomore year at Saint Thomas.
– Several of Vang’s children work 9-5 pm jobs in addition to their contributions to the gardening and market preparations/promotion
– One of Vang’s favorite vegetables are cherry tomatoes
Owner and Operator: Yer Yang (daughter), Lue Vang (mother), & family
Farm Location: Rosemount, MN
Find Yer Yang’s Produce and Flowers at the Fulton & Kingfield Farmers Markets every Saturday and Sunday morning.
Meet Your Farmer: Mary Dirty Face Farm
In 2009 Rachel Henderson and Anton Ptak planted the first seeds of Mary Dirty Face Farm on 5 ½ acres of a 60 acre former dairy farm located in Dunn County Wisconsin. Mary Dirty Face Farm is now a diversified orchard producing table grapes, currents, raspberries, and thirteen apple varieties. Look for currents and raspberries in July and early August, plums in August, and apples in late August, September, and early October.
Anton and Rachel became interested in perennial fruit production after traveling and working at an orchard in Argentina several years ago. Both completed a one year Farm Beginnings program that included business planning and hands on training. They practice sustainable farming practices with a focus on diversity and holistic approaches to risk management.
Fun Facts:
– All of the electrical needs for the farm are met through solar power and water is caught through rainwater collection systems.
– Mary Dirty Face Farm is named after local lore about a Native American woman who was given this name. She was married involuntary to an executive from the local lumber company, however she refused to have anything to do with him.
-Cecil is Rachel and Anton’s young son and up-and-coming orchardist!
Find Mary Dirty Face Farm most Saturdays July- October at the Fulton Farmers Market.
Meet Your Farmer: Peter's Pumpkins and Carmen's Corn!
Farming and farmer’s markets run in Peter’s family; his grandparents and great uncle were founding members of the Minneapolis Farmers Market. Carmen met Peter in 1997 when she was teaching in Chaska through a cultural exchange program from her native Peru. Carmen brought her class of students out to Peter’s pumpkin patch on a field trip which proved to be quite successful — Peter and Carmen were married in 1999. For Carmen, learning everything about running a small farming operation has been a wonderful experience.
In addition to growing corn, pumpkins and watermelon, Peter and Carmen expanded their produce in 2001 to include a wide variety of vegetables and berries. They farm their 50 acres of land (some rented) in Shakopee, MN. Peter and Carmen believe in having a strong relationship with their customers. They want to make their customers for life! Peter feels that farmers markets are a great way to bring people back to a more sustainable, enjoyable way of eating.
Fun facts:
– Pumpkins and corn are big sellers for Peter and Carmen which probably isn’t surprising given the name of their farm!
– Carmen enjoys educating customers about produce and teaching children who visit their farm on how things grow
– Peter loves tractors…he owns eight of them!
– Se habla espanol!
Find Peter and Carmen on Saturdays at Fulton, Sundays at Kingfield and Wednesdays at Nokomis!
Eat at Red Cow on July 6th & support the market!
Make plans to enjoy a meal out at Red Cow on 50th (3624 W 50th St, Minneapolis, just around the corner from our Fulton Market site) on Monday, July 6th. The Red Cow will be donating 10% of the day's sales to the market!
Bring friends and family for lunch, dinner, happy hour, or a pick-me-up anytime that day! Our farmers markets rely on support from local businesses and neighbors like you. The Red Cow's donation will go towards market operations that support local farmers, and keep our markets fun and accessible for all.
Kingfield and Nokomis shoppers - all three markets are one organization so what's good for one market is good for all. Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy delicious burgers & brews while supporting your neighborhood farmers market!
