By KRISTEN LEE-CHARLSON
I know, it seems that the Heirloom Foodie has been on hiatus, but with the height of the preserving season and the onset of fall, things got pretty busy trying to get the pantry stocked for winter.
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind. In mid-October I went to San Francisco for the Slow Money National Gathering (which I will write about soon). Upon my return (12 hours after, but who’s counting?), I had a woman from France and her daughter stay with us for a week (not gonna write about that). And last week, I hosted a butcher and a chef from Portland and coordinated two pig butchery classes with them (which is a whole ‘nother story to come).
On Saturday, I launched the Heirloom Winter Market, a sort of extension of the local farmers’ markets which had their last day of the season the week prior.
It may seem like the market season is over, but there are some excellent reasons for a winter market:
1. There is still local produce that needs a home after the market closes.
2. Produce is not the only food that comes from this region – many other items are available throughout the year. Meats, dairy, eggs, grains, legumes, mushrooms, honey, and more.
3. There are other food artisans needing a venue to continue creating a livelihood.
4. It makes buying local year-round easier, and creates a much-needed economy for our friends and neighbors.
5. Community connects and is created around food.
I hope to sustain the marketplace throughout the fall and winter, leading right up to the opening of the farmers’ markets in May. Look for dates and information for our Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valentine’s markets, which make it easy to order and pick up all of your holiday fare in one stop.
Here’s the 411:
What: Farmers, Food Vendors, Artisans & Music
Where: 801 Sherwood, the Ceretana Granary
When: Saturdays, 10am-Noon
Hope to see you there!
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Hungry for more from the Heirloom Foodie? Check out her posts preserving green beans for winter, making zucchini relish, and growing good eats in the Garden City.
Visit the Heirloom Foodie archives.
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Kristen has been the publisher of edibleMISSOULA magazine for the past 4 years, a publication celebrating the bounty of local seasonal foods and farming. She is an accomplished chef, caterer and home-cook. As a mother, she is dedicated to educating and empowering others about traditional food preparation and the joy and economy of eating local. She sits on the board of the Community Food & Agriculture Coalition of Missoula County (CFAC) and serves on the Montana Food Systems Council; as well as being a strong advocate for more localized and sustainable food system. She is working on a new venture, the Heirloom Project, which exploring traditional foods, farming, and modern homemaking.