Micro-greens, Pickled Chayote and Monster Sweet Potatoes: Oct. 4 Floyd Farmers Market Report

Bill Rapseik and his micro-green demonstration
Bill Rapseik and his micro-green demonstration
While some late summer products are still available, seasonal products are tending to the late fall crops now. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, collards, kale and chard, spinach, arugula, some baby and head lettuce, kohlrabi, daikon radishes, and more “deco-edible” winter squashes are on the tables. A few eggplants, peppers, green beans, dried beans, summer squash and tomatoes were still appearing but are likely to be out of the market altogether by next week.

More bread, pastries, and pickled products are on offer. Peaches and the earlier varieties of pears are out. The last of the Concord grapes were sold last week. More apples and Asian pears are in the market.

Last weekend the market had a number of demonstrations and new products available. Bill Rapseik demonstrated the benefit of micro-greens to the public. He brought some trays of three of his organically grown products: sunflowers, buckwheat and wheat grass. They attracted a lot of attention and customers were able to taste his product while Bill expounded on the health benefits of micro-green products versus sprouts. Bill is selling these products out of his home.

Mr. Eggers offered his Jacqueline Lee potatoes and beautiful leeks at very reasonable prices. I tried both in a leek soup with excellent results-no leftovers at all! Mr. Eggers sold out of leeks immediately so come early to his table next week! Sunmi Park offered pickled chayote and kimchi. Her conservative stock of product was wiped out early after patrons enjoyed the samples she offered. She will be back next week with more product! Her label is MOMMAU-look for it. These products are deliciously spicy and crisp.

Also visiting us was the Blue Ridge Center for Chinese Medicine. The Center has a new member, Katie Clifton, an acupuncturist. Katie manned a table for the Center this weekend to promote the services and benefits of the Center. More about the Center and Katie’s services can be found on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Blue-Ridge-Center-for-Chinese-Medicine.

Next weekend we will host the Breakfast in the Market. The Breakfast will run from 830 to 1100 am and will feature: buckwheat pancakes, fruit toppings, breakfast potatoes, scrambled eggs, Red Rooster coffee and fruit juice. For $2.00 more, you can enjoy a helping of excellent locally produced sausage. Music will be provided by Tim Pak’s Tin Roof Trio. All this will be available for $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 11 years old and under.

Our vendors next week will be Good Food Good People, Riverstone Farm, Sunmi Park’s MOMMAU pickled products, the Floyd Market Collective, Tree Gigante’s Perennial Uprising flowers and possibly Indian Valley Farms.

Put our Jack-O-Lantern Contest date on your calendar: October 26th! We don’t have a vender for pumpkins this year; however, pumpkins are widely available in the county. Pick your design now and get ready to carve that winning Jack-O-Lantern! We will also have the cider press out on that day so bring jugs if you want to get a free pressing. We expect to have plenty of apples on offer by several vendors.

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