July 7th Vendors and Events

This week we are joined by many regulars and a few newcomers.  A big welcome to Culinary Cruisers, a bike-powered vendor that fits with this week’s Bike Fest!  The rest of our vendors are as follows:

Brigham Farms
Heirloom Coffee
Jannabees
Karol Peralta Jewelers

This week should be a bike-load of fun!  Climate Summer will be visiting Medford and we are lucky enough to be able to introduce them to you at the market on Thursday.  In celebration of their efforts on bicycles this summer, we decided to introduce you to some exciting bike people in our community so you could see the wonderful things they are doing, too.   If you ride your bike to the market on Thursday, July 7th, stop by the Market Manager’s tent to pick up your free reusable shopping bag with the Medford Farmers Market logo on it!  


What would the market be without music?  It will be powered by…BIKES of

course! Melodeego join us this week to serenade us with their sweet soulful sounds.  This performance isn’t your usual spectator sport, however.  Their amps are pedal-powered, so we need YOU to help keep the music going!
Community Table 
 
This week the Community Table is being staffed by our Bike Fest partner in crime, Green Medford. Green Medford educates the Medford community on our environmental impact, and empowers us to make more sustainable energy, transportation, and food choices.  Green Medford has invited a few other bike-related businesses and organizations to join them at the Table:
JRA Cycles (229 Salem St.) will be there to do a 2 point inspection of your bike and has generously donated a full Bike TuneUp (value $65) and a bike helmet ($55) which will be raffled off during the market hours.
Smooth Scooters (30 Harvard Ave.) will be showcasing some of their electric bikes, and might even let you try one out! 
(151 B Pearl St. in Boston) will show off their lovely Dutch-inspired bicycles.
News Bites 
By Isabelle Thibault and Meghan VanStry 
  
Do you know what the word organic really means?
Organic food is grown without the use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers. Organic farmers refrain from using antibiotics, synthetic hormones, genetic engineering or the cloning of animals. Buying organic food supports organic farmers in their endeavors to positively impact mother earth. Organic products minimally affect the environment, create richer soil, and reduce waste. Not only do organic farmers create chemical free produce, but their animals also enjoy better living conditions. Much of the produce that you may find at the Farmers Market is not necessarily certified organic, but that does not mean the farmer is not living by organic standards. Be on the lookout for organic food the next time you shop and do not hesitate to ask farmers about how they raise their crops



Kale Chips A healthy alternative to potato chips, and a great fridge-clearing recipe. 
1 bunch of kale
 Kale from last week’s market.
1 tbs olive oil
salt to taste
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.  Tear or cut kale in to bite-sized pieces, removing stems in the process.  Toss with the olive oil, then spread it all out on a baking sheet.  Sprinkle with salt.
3.  Bake kale for 10 to 15 minutes, until crispy but not burnt.  
Try seasoning with apple cider vinegar, garlic, rosemary, or onions.  Kale chips make a deliciously salty, crunchy snack.  You’ll be surprised at how quickly they go!